MRF FAQs

Sita's FAQs about the Bodmin Materials Recycling Facility

1. Is this the only MRF in the county?
   
   No. There are three MRFs in Cornwall. We operate the one here in Bodmin, and also one in Pool. There is another in Truro operated by Cory.
   

2. Which districts send their recycling to Bodmin?
   
   We collect East Cornwall's kerbside recycling and bring it here. We also receive the kerbside from the former district of Restormel. Further to this we also take in trade waste. The split is roughly 70% household, 30% trade.
   

3. How many people work here?
   
   15 people work on site, including the weighbridge operator.
   

4. How much recycling gets sent here?
   
   The MRF processes about 2,000 tonnes per month, half of which is paper.
   

5. How much of what is sent here is actually recycled?
   
   Around 99% which exceeds our target of 95%.
   

6. Why can't we recycle more plastics?
   
   There are over 35 different types of plastics that feature in our waste stream. These can be identified by the numbering system which is sometimes also accompanied by names such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PS, PP etc. These different materials often have to be recycled separately. We currently only recycle plastic bottles, which are usually PET and HDPE. These plastics are widely recycled in the UK, and we are therefore sending our materials to a reliable and constant end-processor.
   

7. If I have old books, what can I do with them?
   
   If the book is in good condition reuse it in some way. Whether this be giving it to someone else, sending it to a charity shop or selling it it's up to you. If the book is in poor condition then you can recycle it with your paper. If it is a hardback put the cover in with your cardboard.
   

8. What can I do with my greetings cards?
   
   They can be taken in your recycling collection with the paper.
   

9. Does Cornwall collect Tetra Paks (cartons)?
   
   No. Cartons are made up of a mixture of materials, including card, plastic and metal. Because of this it is difficult to separate the materials in order to recycle them. Lots of the UK's cartons were sent to a paper mill in Fife. Unfortunately, due to rising energy costs, this mill has now been closed. Although many local authorities in the UK now offer a carton recycling service, they are currently sent to Europe to be recycled. Cartons currently only account for 6% of all waste, and district councils rejected a collection scheme in Cornwall as unfeasible. This is continuing to be monitored.
   

10. Can I recycle Pyrex with my glass collection?
    
    No. Pyrex is manufactured from a different material to glass jars / bottles and melts at a much higher temperature. It would therefore bring down the quality of the glass to be made into bottles and jars.
    

11. Where is each material sent, and what does it become?
    
    Plastic bottles are sent to Shropshire and Leicester. Here the bottles are melted down and made into household and agricultural drainage pipes.
    
    Textiles are sent to a mill in Birmingham. They are sorted and graded as per the condition of the clothing. From here it is sent to Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
    
    Cardboard is sent to Somerset where it is recycled into cardboard box liners, toilet roll inner tubes or envelopes.
    
    Newspapers and magazines are sent to Kent where they are recycled into newsprint paper.
    
    The plastic bags that are used to collect recyclables in are sent to Leicester. After a sorting and cleaning process the polythene is either remade into rolls of PVC or used for other plastic products in the UK.
    
    Glass is bulked onto ships and sent to Europe where it is turned into 50p-sized pieces called cullet. From here the glass is then remade into glass bottles. The environmental impact of doing this is far less than sending it via road to Yorkshire. The market for mixed glass in Europe is also greater.
    
    Aluminium cans and foil are sent to Cheshire. Once here it gets melted down and used to make other aluminium products such as saucepans.
    
    Steel cans are directed to Newcastle. From here the steel is melted down and used to make more steel cans for packaging food products.

If you have any further questions please contact the SITA Cornwall Helpdesk on 08456 300 300.