Work gets underway at flagship West Sussex MRF

The facility, which had a rocky ride through the planning process, is now expected to be operational in February 2009 as the cornerstone of Viridor's target to recycle 45% of the county's waste by 2015.

Described as the first of its type in the country, the £6.6 million plant will recycle not only commingled paper, cans and plastic, but also aluminium foil, glass packaging and beverage cartons.

Viridor said it would employ the latest technology with installation expected to be completed by November 2008 ahead of a commissioning period.

Capacity is initially expected to be around 40,000 tonnes a year, but would increase to 100,000 tonnes with a three-shift system.

Proud

Graham Warren, Viridor's south east regional director said: “Viridor are proud to be part of creating Ford, a MRF that will be among the best in its class and we believe that once complete, will enhance our reputation as being a leading provider of recycling services.

“This is an exciting development enabling us to deliver a practical solution for our local authority partners.” he added.

Viridor's 25-year Private Finance Initiative contract with the county was signed in 2004 (see letsrecycle.com story), and has already seen nine new or improved waste management sites, including household waste recycling centres in Littlehampton, Bognor and Billinghurst.

Work is proceeding at several more sites, including transfer and recycling sites at Westhampnett and Crawley, while an application has been submitted for a transfer station at Lancing.

The Ford site will mean commingled recyclables no longer being sent to Viridor's Grosvenor sorting facility at Crayford in Kent.

West Sussex's seven districts of Arup, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and Worthing have an array of different kerbside recycling systems, ranging from using boxes, baskets or wheeled bins on differing cycles of weekly, fortnightly or alternate weekly.

All districts currently recycle paper, metal packaging and plastic bottles, with Arup and Mid Sussex already picking up glass from the kerbside as well.