News: Sterecycle's pioneering Rotherham plant impresses Minister

Sterecycle, the waste treatment and renewable power company, hosted Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy at its waste treatment plant in Rotherham last week as part of the Minister's tour of Yorkshire which was focused on the area's low carbon development.

The Minister participated in a site tour of what is the world's first commercial autoclave waste treatment facility at Templeborough to see how Sterecycle's autoclaving technology "steam processes" black bag waste to recover recyclables and energy in the form of an organic biomass.

Minister of State for Energy said: "The less waste we send to landfill, the better. That's why I'm very interested to see this system first hand.

"Pioneers like the people here at Sterecycle should be commended for developing such an innovative solution to what we do with our waste."

Tom Shields, Sterecycle CEO, said: "It is extremely positive for us to have key political figures such as Charles Hendry interested in our technology and recognising the huge benefits it brings.

"Increasing awareness of our solution to waste and its ability to recover energy is vital in ensuring we can roll out more plants across the UK to meet the needs of local authorities and businesses who are increasingly looking for greener waste treatment processes.

"We hope the government maintains its renewable energy incentives such as ROCS (Renewable Energy Obligation Certificates) which are very important to the development of the renewable energy side of our business.

"The Rotherham community has been very supportive of our facility and understand the advantages of using our technology to treat their waste. It's safe, increases recycling performance and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill by up to 70%.

"The demand has been so high that we're increasing the Rotherham plant's capacity from 100,000 tonnes per annum to 240,000 tonnes per annum so that we can continue to help drive down the amount of waste going to Yorkshire landfills."

The site tour was followed by a round table discussion with community representatives which included Tony Mace and Kirstie Royce from A4e, Graham Whitfield from the Tinsley Forum and Matthew Beck from the science and adventure centre, Magna.

The site employs 41 local people which will increase to 57 in 2011 when the plant's expansion is complete. Recruitment agency A4e is working with Steryccle and their Employer Services Manager, Kirstie Royce said: "We're delighted to have placed eight customers in new jobs with Sterecycle within 12 months, all who are now working at the cutting edge of renewable energy technology, and we look forward to supporting with more opportunities as this company expands."

Matthew Beck, Managing Director of Magna, a trust which runs the Magna Science Adventure Centre situated next to Sterecycle's plant, said: "Magna and Sterecycle have formed a close working partnership. As a science centre we engage with tens of thousands of families and school children and by demonstrating this innovative system of waste management they then understand and are aware of this greener approach to waste recycling and the benefits it brings to the local area. On top of this Magna also benefits from recycling its waste through this system, reducing its own carbon footprint."

Sterecycle website

Images: Sterecycle