Work is at final stage of completion for the new Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC).
Councillors from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Colleagues from Wastesavers and Contractor Jim Davies Civil Engineering Ltd undertook a site visit to view progress. Skips and containers are due on site soon, and finalising works such as signage, IT infrastructure and permit applications are underway.
The site is expected to be completed and operational by early 2021. Information about accessing the facilities will be communicated to residents prior to the site opening.
This will be the second site in the county borough and will be open to residents six days a week. The new recycling centre will be a significant asset to people in Blaenau Gwent. It is purpose-built to enable residents to recycle and reuse their rubbish safely and efficiently. The site will provide a full suite of recycling services to take items like sofas, white goods such as freezers, fridges and washing machines, all free-standing furniture including tables, chairs and wardrobes, plus carpets and underlay.
It will also feature a furniture re-use facility operated by Wastesavers, where residents can donate items that are in good condition and free from defect so that they can be bought and re-used by someone else.
The centre has been designed with easy access in mind with a long entrance road for HWRC users to prevent queuing onto the highway, significantly more parking capacity and the design incorporates disabled spaces, pedestrian access and electric charging points for cars. A new traffic signal facility has been implemented at the A467/Roseheyworth junction.
Funding for the development has been provided by Welsh Government.
Joanna Wilkins, Executive Member for Community Services Says:
“I am pleased that work on this modern and accessible facility is progressing well and construction is nearly complete. This site will make it even easier for our residents to recycle more of their household waste. We can all make a difference and every single person that recycles their waste is helping tackle the climate emergency, by saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Earlier this year we confirmed that Blaenau Gwent had achieved 65.31% recycling target exceeding Welsh Governments set target of 64%. The target will now increase to 70% and this new facility is part of our waste strategy to increase our recycling targets.”
Alun harries, Charity Manager From Wastesavers Says:
“We are very pleased to be working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to create this exciting new charity reuse project. We are sure “The Den” will be very popular with local residents and help the Council reach it’s recycling targets. The Den will undoubtedly bring social, economic and environmental benefits to the local community. Every recycling centre should have a shop like this.”