Waste disposal infrastructure in Hampshire

Hampshire has some of the best waste disposal infrastructure in the UK. As the Waste Disposal Authority (WDA), it is the County Council's responsibility to provide such facilities These sites are run for us by a private waste contractor, Veolia Environmental Services Hampshire Ltd., and take all the rubbish that is collected from HWRCs and by local councils through the kerbside collections. The sites are a key factor in our aim to recycle 50% of household waste within five years.

Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

Located in: Portsmouth and Alton.

The MRFs separate all the dry mixed recyclables (newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles, tins and cans) that are collected from the kerbside. Specialist sorting processes segregate the items before it is baled up and sent to private companies for recycling. The new Alton MRF which opened in 2004, is one of the most advanced in Europe. Together, the two facilities are able to handle up to 157,000 tonnes of recyclables every year.

Energy recovery facilities (ERFs)

Located in: Chineham, Marchwood, Portsmouth.

With landfill space in Hampshire due to run out in a few years, a different solution had to be found for disposing of non-recyclable residual rubbish. Energy recovery means that the waste is incinerated and then the energy created is utilised to make cheap electricity for local homes. The three facilities together are able to process over 420,000 tonnes of waste each year, whilst simultaneously generating eneough electricity to power 37,000 homes.

Composting sites

Located in: Chilbolton, Down End (Fareham), Little Bushy Warren (Basingstoke).

All the green garden waste collected at the HWRCs (and by some district councils) is taken to one of three composting sites in the county. The green waste is composted in windrows, and turned into ‘Pro-Grow’ – high quality soil and lawn conditioners, woodchip mulch or pine bark that is available to buy at every HWRC. A major expansion of Little Bushy Warren was recently completed, which enables the three sites combined to process over 100,000 tonnes of compost material every year.

Landfill sites

Located in: Chatsworth (‘Blue Haze’), Efford.

There are now only two landfill sites open in Hampshire for disposing of residual waste, but these will be full within 5-10 years. They are filled in cells and then covered with a layer of soil at the end of each day. Once buried, the rubbish will start to biodegrade but may take many years depending on the type of material. The County Council is also responsible for 11 closed former landfill sites, ensuring that they are returned to nature as best as possible. This includes cross-cutting work with the Recreation and Heritage Department to restore heathland and countryside sites.

Transfer stations

Located in: Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Lymington, Netley, Otterbourne.

Waste transfer stations are where most of the waste collected by local district councils goes to first of all. It is weighed and stored until such time that it can go to an ERF or landfill site.

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