Groundbreaking Waste Recycling and Re-use Centre for Thurrock

THE way Thurrock’s domestic waste is dealt with is soon to be transformed by a new £2 million waste recycling and re-use centre.

Thurrock Council and the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC) are working together to deliver a Waste Recycling and Re-use Centre at St Clements Way, West Thurrock.

The Development Corporation have agreed to contribute up to £990,000 grant funding to Thurrock Council for the new £1.9 million centre which will be responsible for up to 25 tonnes of waste per year.

The centre help reduce the volume of domestic waste currently going to landfill and combine recycling facilities and a re-use services on the same site.

The re-use service, possibly run by a community business or social enterprise, will refurbish and re-sell discarded items and will make a meaningful contribution towards the national and local waste targets to ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.

DC Chairman Will McKee and Leader of Thurrock Council, Councillor Terry Hipsey, are pleased the joint initiative will help Thurrock meet the tough targets set by government and improve on the record rates of recycling which were recorded in Thurrock last year.

Mr McKee said: “The Development Corporation Board is pleased that its funding enables the Council to proceed with the Waste Recycling and Re-Use Centre.

“We fully support this landmark project as the centre represents an essential component of the infrastructure required to support population growth, promote environmental sustainability and develop Thurrock’s expertise in the environmental technology sector.”

Councillor Hipsey added: “The new centre will play a crucial role in the Council’s emerging Waste Strategy which aims to promote Thurrock as a leading Borough in the sustainable collection, treatment and onward disposal of our waste.

“The Council appreciates this financial support from the Development Corporation.

“Both our organisations are deeply committed to improving the local environment and I welcome this new facility which will divert up to 25,000 tonnes per annum of waste which would otherwise have gone to landfill.”