Green businesses and those interested in investment planning in Oswestry may be excited to learn of a new recycling plant that is coming to Shropshire.
The plans, unveiled by waste management company Veolia, will see the new facility constructed as part of a wider £1 billion UK investment earmarked to be completed by 2030. However, the site is set to become fully operational by early 2026.
The state-of-the-art site is being touted as the first in the country to be able to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food trays. This means it will have the ability to restore them to food-grade standard packaging. PET is a common plastic found in food packaging.
The site will be located in the Battlefield area of Shrewsbury and will form a central plank of the French’s company’s ambitious plans to boost domestic recycling capacity in Britain whilst supporting the circular economy. Annually, the plant is forecast to process somewhere approaching 80,000 tonnes of plastic.
The operation will create over 130 permanent jobs in the local economy. This is the first time such advanced technology has been used in the UK to convert used PET bottles and trays. Previously, the process was restricted due to stringent purity regulations.
Veolia is concurrently committed to a number of other UK projects focusing on district heating expansion and hazardous waste treatment capacity. It says the new Shropshire facility will reduce reliance on virgin plastics whilst helping meet national net zero targets. It has, additionally, urged the government to reform the Plastic Packaging Tax and enhance incentives. Industry figures have also asked for more support to make sure recycling infrastructure stays in line with regulation.
