The £10 million fully-enclosed facility is thought to be the UK’s largest and most modern transfer station and is also seen as being unrivalled on the Continent. And, the company’s German parent, the Remondis Group which operates in 38 countries, has said that the UK is one of its top targets for further investment.
Developed by German-owned Remondis UK, the facility at Prescot in the borough of Knowsley provides a state-of-the-art transfer station to mainly handle hazardous waste.
The site includes a laboratory and working alongside the company’s own scientists, students from the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool will work with Remondis UK to help establish protocols for samples where these dont exist at present.
Process
The facility, which had the finishing touches put to it in May, will see the business able to process up to 69,000 tonnes of material each year with an initial operating target of 13,000 tonnes per annum. A low initial target has been chosen to ensure the implementation of safe practices.
The site has flammable and non-flammable areas, areas for acids and for silver recovery. It is fully controlled for emissions to accord with sector guidance. Local emissions ventilation incorporates a filter consisting of six tonnes of washed coconut carbon. There is a large fan for suction through the filter to the discharge point. Bunds are protected by metal barriers and there are fire-proof rooms for tankers to help ensure safety when liquids are delivered and dispatched.
While the aim is to move material through the site relatively quickly, its size and the fact it is fully enclosed means that material can be held to increase volumes so that what goes on a truck can be narrowed in terms of type. Much of the material will be exported and because it will be treated through recycling or recovery through Remondis own plants, the company believes it has a market advantage in offering a secure reportable route for the wastes.
‘Ground-breaking’
Co-managing director David Winstanley reasons that: We are confident that by committing time as well as money to the development of this site, we will have built a foundation that will revitalise the treatment of hazardous waste in the UK and deliver ground-breaking practices that will deliver quality in an industry that thrives on the reassurance and confidence it can build in the customer base.
Commenting on his impressions after the preview visit, Steve Moore, North West director at the Environment Agency, said: It is fantastic to see a global business like Remondis starting to make a real impact in the UK. The site here at Prescot, Merseyside, will obviously set a new benchmark for the hazardous waste industry.
“The thinking that has gone into the design of this plant is exceptional both in terms of creating an effective business process and keeping environmental protection at its heart. We look forward to working with Remondis on this and its wider investment into the waste industry in the UK. If Carr Lane is anything to go by, Remondis can only be good for the economy and good for the environment.
Industry
Barry Dennis, director general of the ESA, commented: This site emphasises the way in which our industry has matured, highlighting the technology now available to treat the resources which other people call waste. Such a modern site demonstrates how we can reuse, recover and extract value from all waste streams.
The high standards and job opportunities were remarked on by the mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Brian O’Hare. He said: I was very impressed by the high standard of the facilities and the layout of the plant, as well as all of the measures which Remondis has put in place to cater for any eventuality.
“In addition, I welcome the recruitment process which has ensured employment for local people, as well as developing a knowledge base in Merseyside for the unique process being carried out to ensure the recovery of materials for recycling or reuse in other industries.
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