Somerset residents are being strongly urged to keep hazardous items like gas canisters and batteries out of their kerbside recycling bins. Contaminants such as these pose serious risks, including fires at waste facilities, and hinder effective recycling efforts.
Somerset Council, alongside its contractor Suez, manages thousands of tonnes of household waste annually, with an increasing proportion recycled locally. Key to this process is the Taunton Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at Walford Cross industrial estate, which handles about 100 waste collection vehicles daily.
Philip de Wavrin, senior production manager at Suez, shared insights during a guided tour of the Taunton MRF. The facility, together with its sister site in Evercreech, processes over 70,000 tonnes of recycling each year — equivalent in weight to around 5,000 double-decker buses.
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“We see a lot of food waste that could be separated from general waste,” said de Wavrin. “About 21% of recoverable materials remain in the general waste bin. Separating food waste not only benefits the environment but also supports energy production and agriculture.”
At the facility, incoming trucks are weighed and emptied with food waste contents removed first. Materials such as glass, paper, and cardboard are unloaded separately, while cans and plastics go together for sorting.
Cardboard volumes have surged, reflecting the rise in online shopping and home deliveries. Once separated, cardboard is compressed and baled with steel wires, making it easier to store and transport efficiently. This method also reduces carbon emissions by cutting the number of transport vehicles required.
The sorting process uses advanced technology: powerful electromagnets separate steel and aluminum cans, while eddy current units “levitate” aluminum over plastics on conveyor belts—a mesmerizing sight, according to de Wavrin.
Glass recycling at Taunton is impressively efficient, with 100% of glass recycled. Meanwhile, ongoing technological improvements are pushing paper and cardboard recycling rates closer to total recovery.
Somerset’s commitment to a circular economy — where materials are continually reused and recycled — not only reduces reliance on imported raw materials but also lowers costs for local businesses and benefits the environment.
“We’re proud that Somerset residents rank in the top 10% nationally for recycling,” de Wavrin noted. “Maintaining a circular economy is a win-win for the UK’s economy and environment.”
However, contamination remains a critical challenge. Gas canisters and batteries must be taken to specialist recycling centers rather than placed in kerbside bins. Batteries, if misplaced, can cause dangerous chemical reactions and fires that normal extinguishers cannot control. In fact, the Evercreech facility experienced four fires in two weeks due to such contamination, causing major disruptions.
Recycling in Somerset continues to improve. Over the past year, the volume of materials recycled increased by 5.4%, with 99% of plastics recycled within the UK. Waste sent to landfill dropped by over 57%.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, emphasized the importance of transparency: “Residents want to know what happens to their recycling. Seeing that more material is processed locally encourages continued participation in recycling programs.”
By ensuring hazardous items are properly sorted and separated, Somerset residents play a vital role in supporting efficient, safe, and sustainable recycling efforts.