What happens to your waste and recycling

We collect over 82,000 tonnes of household rubbish every year:  

• 59,467 tonnes is converted to electricity at the Energy from Waste site at Haverton Hill
• 21,724 tonnes (over 26%) is recycled
• 376 tonnes goes to landfill

Paper

Paper is taken to J&B Recycling in Hartlepool who transfer it to a paper mill in the UK to be  recycled, mainly into newsprint.

Plastic, cans and cardboard

These are taken to J&B Recycling's Material Recycling Facility (MRF) in Hartlepool for sorting using a variety of processes, plus a final quality control check by hand, into aluminium, steel,  plastic bottle, pots tubs and trays, card and cardboard. They are then transferred to various reprocessors, mainly in the UK and Europe for recycling into a wide variety of products.

Wood

Wood is taken to a local company, Tonks, who reuse the good quality wood. The remaining wood has metal fastenings removed and is shredded before it is sent to a mill where it is made into wood composites.

Glass

Mixed Glass Bottles are taken to J&B Recycling, who send it to reprocessors in the UK where they are sorted into different colours, melted and recycled back into glass for a variety of uses.

Garden waste

All of the garden waste that we collect goes A&E Thompson in Wingate, where it is recycled.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment 

Things like fridges, freezers, large domestic appliances, televisions, toasters and, kettles are collected for recycling and taken to Wincanton at Billingham. The items are placed in a large metal revolving drum and are broken up before being hand sorted for recycling. Fridges and freezers have the gas elements removed before they are recycled.

Textiles and shoes

Textiles and shoes are collected by the Salvation Army, R&S Recycling and Oxfam. The items are sorted and where possible they are sold through charity shops linked to these organisations. Things that are not suitable for the shops are bagged and shipped abroad for use in developing countries. Everything else is recycled into rags.