Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park

Since March 2018 the MK Waste Recovery Park (MKWRP) in Old Wolverton has been processing the rubbish from our residents and turning it into sustainable energy. Rubbish in MK residents black bin bag does not go to landfill.

How it works

Step 1. The Mechanical Treatment Plant

At the MKWRP black bin bag waste is taken to the Tipping Hall. From here, it travels by conveyor to the Mechanical Treatment Plant where machines sort through the rubbish to find recyclable materials such as plastics and metals that should have gone in the clear recycling sack. These items are separated, squashed into bales and sent off to be recycled. 

Step 2. The Anaerobic Digester

The organic waste, which should have been put into the green bins, such as leftover food is also separated off. It is loaded into Anaerobic Digestion fermentation chambers where it is heated up and begins to break down. After approximately 1 month a low grade compost-like output is created, which can be used on building sites and other brown field sites. This process also produces a biogas which is used create energy to the National Grid. 

Step 3. The Advanced Thermal Treatment Plant

The remaining rubbish then goes to the Advanced Thermal Treatment Plant where it is heated up to create a “syngas”. This is used to heat up water, creating a superheated steam. This powers a turbine creating electricity which is used to power the MKWRP and the excess is fed into the National Grid. 

You can see the process here from start to finish.

Find out more by booking one of our Environment and Waste educational talks.