Managing household waste

Our proposed Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) for Padworth Sidings is designed to significantly improve recycling and composting rates in West Berkshire, improve management of waste and meet the statutory targets that have been set. The IWMF will incorporate a number of individual elements that work together to contribute to the successful and sustainable management of household waste. The facility would contain the following:

• In-vessel composting facility for the recycling of garden and food waste into a useful product
• Materials recycling facility for processing recyclable waste collected from the kerbside
• Municipal depot and vehicle maintenance facility, to manage and maintain the fleet of vehicles required to operate the wide range of services provided
• Mini household waste recycling centre, to provide a facility which will offer a wider range of recycling options than those at the kerbside
• Visitor centre and administration block, to allow people to see the technology and processes used to responsibly manage our waste

Through this area of the site you will be able to find up-to-date information on the planned IWMF and we can listen to and engage with anyone interested in the facility.  Why not also look at our Community Liaison page?

Why do we need a new facility?

• There is a need within the district for new waste facilities to allow us to increase the amount of waste which is recycled and composted, while helping to reduce the amount of waste which is sent to landfill.  All councils, including West Berkshire are under pressure to divert waste away from landfill
• It is estimated at a national level that approximately 2,300 new facilities are needed to increase recycling and composting rates and reduce the amount of waste which needs to be disposed of in landfill

Why has Padworth been selected?

• The Padworth Sidings site has been identified by West Berkshire Council as the best location in the district for the siting of a new IWMF
• Following a site selection process and feasibility study, the site was identified as the most suitable location as it is a ‘brownfield’ site designated in the Waste Local Plan as a preferred site.  It has access to the main transport network and sufficient space to accommodate the facility
• The facilities proposed at Padworth are proven technology and regarded as the best solution for the district on social, environmental and economic grounds
• The development of the site will involve clean-up operations which will improve the environment of what is currently an unusable area
• The development at Padworth will include mitigation of the impacts of the facility, including traffic, air quality and ecological aspects