Recycling plants on the increase

NEARLY 150 static aggregate recycling plants have been established in the last two years or are likely to start this year, according to a recent survey by BDS Marketing & Research Ltd.

There are now estimated to be around 300 operating static plants, with a further 60 due to start soon. The total volume of demolition and construction waste being recycled through these sites is thought to exceed 20 million tonnes a year.

As well as the London area, Birmingham and Manchester have the largest number of high-output recycling plants, some producing in excess of 250,000 tonnes a year.

BDS estimate that around 90 million tonnes of demolition and construction waste are currently being generated each year, but with some 40% being soil, and with waste being used in other applications, such as land reclamation and landfill engineering, the amount of potential additional waste that can be recycled as an aggregate appears to be limited.

Commenting on the findings, Julian Clapp of BDS Marketing & Research said: 'Recycling companies need to find adequate sources of demolition and construction waste, as well as end uses for the recycled material.

'A plant is likely to have to produce more than 50,000 tonnes a year to be viable. To help meet this volume, one option for companies considering investment is to establish a joint venture with an existing business generating this type of waste, such as a local authority or demolition contractor.'