In 2005 Meadowhall became the first UK shopping centre to develop an on-site Resource Recovery Centre. The Centre invested £35,000 in facilities to sort, separate and send materials for recycling, including paper, cardboard, plastics and metals.
In 2006 it is estimated that the return on investment was over £100,000. This is due to the savings on transport and disposal costs, combined with the revenue from the segregated materials. In 2006 92% of waste entering the facility was recycled.
The team at Meadowhall shared their knowledge and experience on sustainable waste management with other businesses. 75% of our shopping centre managers at a Retail Management forum rated Meadowhall’s waste management presentation the most useful part of the forum. Visitors to the recycling facility in 2006 included representatives from Broadgate Estates, Debenhams, Grosvenor Shopping Centres, John Lewis and Packawaste.
The facility has created social as well as environmental and business benefits. By working in partnership with Crown Hill Employment, adults with learning difficulties have benefited from job opportunities. With the support of the Resource Recovery Centre Manager, these adults have been developing their skills and sense of independence. They are now able to work without the support of carers from Crown Hill Employment. They are also extremely good at running the facility efficiently while maintaining an excellent working atmosphere.
Next steps: Managers at Meadowhall are now reviewing the feasibility of developing a small waste-to-energy plant on-site using contaminated waste and oil to generate electricity.
Watch Mark Allison talking about waste management at Meadowhall.
