Recycling centre to bring 200 jobs

Aug 31 2007 by Jackie Bow, South Wales Echo

PLANS for a recycling centre which will turn waste into energy could create up to 200 new jobs.

Tredegar-based EnviroParks Ltd starts public consultation next week on its £60m project to develop an Enviropark on a 17-acre site at Hirwaun, Aberdare, next to Tower Colliery. The site could be operational in 2009.

The scheme, unique to Wales, would create clean, renewable energy from waste and is expected to generate inward investment of more than £50m.

Meetings will be held next week with area councillors, council officials and Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman.

The company said it plans to engage the community as much as possible and will hold exhibitions and public meetings.

Project director David Williams said: “We will have a totally open book approach to this”.

An environmental impact assessment will also be carried out before the company applies for planning permission from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

EnviroParks Ltd said the facility would be capable of recycling and processing up to 250,000 tonnes a year of non-hazardous waste.

Two thirds would be black bag waste, household rubbish, the rest would be green waste from people’s gardens and commercial food waste.

“It will deliver 100 per cent diversion from landfill, making the park a key strategic recycling location for south east Wales and the Heads of the Valleys region,” said Mr Williams.

The bio fuels and electricity produced from the recycling operations would be sold back to other businesses attracted to the park by the opportunity to buy and use green renewable energy.

The project includes plans for up to 250,000 sq ft of business accommodation.

EnviroParks is in discussions with potential occupiers, including a company that makes bottles for the pharmaceutical industry.

Mr Williams said: “The concept of co-locating recycling and commercial operations on the same site is unique to Wales.

The company has agreed terms with the National Assembly to buy the Hirwaun site.

“We have worked hard with the Welsh Assembly to move from concept to reality,” said Mr Williams.

“EnviroParks will attract a proposed inward investment in excess of £50m and will create 200 locally recruited jobs, 70 of which will be a direct result of attracting a manufacture keen to take advantage of green energy.

“This will be especially welcome with the ceasing of deep mining operations in the near future at Tower Colliery.”

Hirwaun Community councillor Joan Higgins said public consultation on the scheme would be welcomed but said she would not wish to comment beforehand.