What happens to my rubbish?

How black sack rubbish is processed into renewable energy


Inside the Waste Recovery Plant
Inside the MK Waste Recovery Plant

Milton Keynes Council's Waste Recovery Park processes the rubbish collected weekly in black bin bags.

The factory initially locates items that could be recycled, which have been placed in the black bin bag in error, then food and garden waste are retrieved and composted into a low grade compost-like output. The remaining non-recyclable items then go to the advanced thermal treatment (ATT) which turns them into a fuel suitable to generate steam. This then drives a turbine which creates electricity that is fed into the National Grid. You can see the process from start to finish here (PDF, 4.9MB)

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak all  MK School, Public and Community Group talks and tours have been suspended. To register your interest once these are reinstated please email MK.education@amey.co.uk

Access free on-line resources, including PowerPoint with notes, factory video, activity sheets, craft ideas, games and more.




Last Updated: 5 November 2020