Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community led festival taking place every year in September, celebrating history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations.
Somerset Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK will be providing another peek behind the scenes at a recycling facility in Somerset.
Evercreech Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) will be open to the public for a series of free tours over one day in September.
Each tour allows residents to find out what happens after the colourful trucks collect their recycling.
Not normally open to members of the public, the open day will provide a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes. Tours will be taking place on Saturday, 14 September, every hour from 10am, with the last tour at 2pm.
Entry is free and there are 20 spaces available on each tour. Visitors must book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
The facility processes around 34,000 tonnes of recycling a year, equivalent to 2,000 double decker buses.
Visitors will be able to see how recycling trucks empty each compartment, as well as the sorting machine that separates plastics from tins and cans, which are mixed in the blue bags.
Evercreech MRF was substantially upgraded in 2020 when Recycle More collections were rolled out. The site is now home to new technology and machinery which allows SUEZ to sort different recycling materials efficiently and effectively, ready to be packed up and sold on to be made into new packaging and products.
In 2022-23, close to 97% of Somerset’s recycling stayed in the UK.
The tours will be hosted by SUEZ’s dedicated site operatives who keep the facility operating like a well-oiled machine. They will take visitors through each process, showcasing important information about the facility whilst answering any questions the public might have.
Visitors will also learn about issues that come with putting the wrong items in their recycling bins, including the fire risk from incorrectly disposing of materials like vapes, batteries and gas canisters.
Fred Stinchcombe, Regional Production Manager for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK said:
“We’re really excited to open our doors for the second time in Somerset and give the public behind the scenes access to our Evercreech recycling facility.
“They’ll learn exactly what happens after their recycling is collected on bin day. We hosted just under 90 residents last year throughout the day and it was a great success.
“Working in this industry we’re often asked interesting questions by residents, so we look forward to the opportunity to showcase our role in reducing waste and how we get the recycling prepared to be turned into new packaging and products.
“We look forward to welcoming more visitors to Evercreech in September.”
Councillor Dixie Darch, Executive Lead Member for Climate and Environment said:
“Somerset’s great recycling record is down to our residents and their efforts to sort their recycling for collection.
“These tours will bring to life what happens to our recycling. Knowing that the right thing is being done with the materials is a key motivator for getting people recycling.”
Evercreech Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) is located at Evercreech Junction Industrial Estate near Shepton Mallet.
For more information on the event, visit the Heritage Open Day website.
