What We Recycle

Recyclable Materials


What we collect and process:

Domestic and co-mingled waste collections

Smiths has recognised that it is not always possible to keep materials for recycling apart in separate containers. We can collect mixed materials in a single container and process them through our Waste Management Facility ready for onward recycling .


Single source recyclable materials collections

Smiths receives pre-sorted materials for recycling, often from kerbside collections. All materials then pass through our processing facility and are if possible baled ready for reprocessing.


Paper ( news and pamphlets and office white)

Smiths recycles at least 500 tonnes of paper every month. The recovered material is then baled and forwarded to paper mills for remaking into new fibre products and the cycle starts again.


Cardboard

UK consumers use considerable amounts of cardboard per year. We recycle all cardboard that we collect, up to 6,000 tonnes per year, and the recovered material is returned to the production chain.


Plastics (hard and soft

Smiths collects, sorts and bales all types of recyclable plastic including packaging, PET bottles and sheeting. We aim to recover and recycle over 85% of all plastics delivered to our waste transfer stations. Plastics take over 300 years to degrade in landfill so the more we recover and prepare for re-processing, the lower the impact on our environment.


Metals (ferrous and non-ferrous)

Most metal waste can be recovered and recycled through our Materials Recovery Facility at Moreton Valence. The magnets contained within the recovery facility can pick out items as small as washers and screws. All recovered material is forwarded to metal reprocessors in the UK.


Glass (bottles and plate)

Within the UK glass waste is predominately produced from domestic sources. Smiths receives glass products from kerbside collections, trade waste wheeled bins as well as from co-mingled waste. We aim to recycle 100% of glass that we receive and pass it back into the manufacturing chain.


Compostible waste (green)

The composting and recycling of garden and food waste are a government priority. The volume of this waste stream continues to increase. Smiths recovers and recycles this green waste and forwards it to specialist compost sites in the county.


Timber (processed and clean)

Most of the wood that Smiths recycle is collected from industrial, commercial and demolition sites and is recovered through our Materials Recovery Facility. Currently the wood is shredded and used in a variety of end uses including chip board manufacture and animal bedding. Recycled wood can also be used as a renewable energy source and Smiths already provide a quality product to local biomass sites.


Plasterboard and gypsum based material

Since April 2009 legislation prohibits the disposal of plasterboard and gypsum based materials to landfill. We can offer either a dedicated collection service in one tonne bags or 6 yard to 40 yard containers (access permitting). All collected materials are forwarded to a local gypsum recycling plant.


Aggregate and Soils

For information on the collection and disposal of Hazardous and Specialsit Waste, please click on the link below: