Gypsum now accepted at Wirral - 13 July 2010
All of Wirral’s three Household Waste Recycling Centres have introduced dedicated gypsum waste recycling points on site.Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) – which provides the Recycling Centres for local residents – requires that gypsum waste such as plaster and plasterboard has to be separated so it can be recycled.
Previously, gypsum waste was deposited along with general rubble and processed for use in land reclamation, but following a change in Landfill Regulations such waste must now be managed separately. Research by the Environment Agency has identified that treating gypsum with other biodegradable waste can lead to the production of odorous and toxic hydrogen sulphide gas.
The three Recycling Centres (Bidston, Clatterbridge and West Kirby) will provide new containers and the waste will then be sent to a local processor and recycled for use in the cement industry.
Carl Beer, Director of MWDA, said: “We support the move by the Environment Agency to separate out this waste for recycling and recovery and we’re happy to follow their lead. It’s important that this waste is handled properly and we prevent potentially harmful substances from being generated further down the line.”
Veolia Environmental Services operate the Recycling Centres on behalf of MWDA. General Manager Alex Paterson said: “We fully support the changes for the handling of gypsum. This shows our determination to not only re-use and recycle material, but to also adapt quickly and efficiently to the changes in environmental regulations."
The Wirral Household Waste Recycling Centres are:
Bidston – Wallasey Bridge Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1EB
Clatterbridge – Mount Road, Clatterbridge, CH63 6JE
West Kirby – Greenbank Road, CH48 5HR