letsrecycle.com understands that depots in Avonmouth, Birmingham, Bolton, and Leeds have now been sold to Veolia ES (UK) Limited. A fee has not been disclosed.
The sale is expected to include the baling equipment and other infrastructure, though nothing has been confirmed on this.
The move marks a noteworthy development in DS Smith’s ongoing evaluation of its UK recycling operations, after it consulted on the future of them in May (see letsrecycle.com story).
Last month, letsrecycle.com exclusively reported that discussion were ongoing with firms over a potential sale, with both Biffa and Veolia linked (see letsrecycle.com story).
Retail
The depots will be useful to Veolia and will help them serve retail and commercial contracts and collaborate with local authorities in the regions where these depots are located.
While these four depots have found new ownership, the future of DS Smith’s remaining recycling sites remains uncertain. It’s thought that the Uxbridge site will close, as it is now owned by DS Smith but details regarding the other sites, including Caerphilly, have not been disclosed as of yet.
The consultation will not impact the company’s paper making operations at Kemsley.
DS Smith’s strategic review has been closely watched since exclusively revealed by letsrecycle.com, as it is a central player in the UK cardboard recycling market, supplying cardboard packaging to major users such as online retail giant Amazon.
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