Portsmouth Materials Recovery Facility re-opens after £5m refit
Originally opened in 1998, the upgraded MRF features updated technology to improve sorting efficiency, increase throughput and improve working conditions for staff. The majority of the employees are from Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant, so the business has strong local roots.
As a result of this refit, the facility is also now permanently powered by electricity produced from the nearby Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), which uses non-recyclable waste from Hampshire to generate 14MW of ‘green energy’.
Gavin Graveson, Executive Director for Veolia Environmental Services, said:
“Since the original facility opened in 1998, we’ve seen significant developments in technology and design which have now been applied here in Portsmouth. We hope this investment demonstrates the value we place on this facility and this community.”
Cllr. Eleanor Scott, Cabinet Member for Environment, Portsmouth City Council, continued:
"It is fantastic that this facility has seen significant investment and supports Portsmouth residents’ efforts to recycle even more. We’ve worked hard to raise awareness and to encourage residents to recycle waste.”
Portsmouth MRF was the first piece of major infrastructure built under the flagship Project Integra Hampshire waste treatment contract; Project Integra is Hampshire’s unique partnership of 14 local authorities and contractor Veolia Environmental Services, to manage the county’s household waste.