Knowaste closes UK site

Knowaste is to close its current UK plant in West Bromwich with immediate effect, but says that having simply outgrown the location, it is now looking for a new recycling site in the West Midlands region.

The West Bromwich plant is reported to have recycled 77 milion diapers since it opened in 2011, with recycling options including converting recovered nonwovens and plastics into timber decking and fencing, benches, bollards, railway sleepers and flood defence systems.

“Whilst the first ever operation of its kind in the UK has proven the concept for recycling absorbent hygiene products – thereby representing a major breakthrough for handling such waste, which has traditionally gone to landfill – the current site does not meet the future requirements of the business,” the company said in a statement today. “These include space for additional facilities and extra energy capability to take advantage of new market opportunities, which have been identified for the company’s recycled materials.

“Knowaste will therefore be directing all future investment at an improved site, which will meet the company’s strategic objectives going forward. The process for finding an ideal site has already begun and the company is looking for a location which can accommodate its plans to introduce new washing, drying and plastic processes. This will allow the business to generate a broader range of recycled materials from the feedstock received. The company is also looking for the new site to offer a more sustainable operation, for example the reuse of the heat from the process to dry the recycled materials.

“Knowaste would like to thank all its staff, customers and suppliers who have made this groundbreaking development possible.”