Plans for a new £50 million recycling centre in Eastleigh will be decided later this month.

The plans, which have been in the pipeline for years, will be reviewed on April 28 by Hampshire County Council's cabinet member for universal services.

If approved, construction on the £50.5 million Materials Recovery Facility at Chickenhall Lane could begin by the end of the year.

Construction is expected to take two years as Hampshire County Council suggested that the facility could potentially be operational by the end of 2027.

Eastleigh's Chickenhall Lane is currently home to Barton Park Industrial Estate.

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The facility would implement a 'twin-stream' recycling method, the Government's preferred approach.

This method involves using one bin for paper and cardboard and another for metal, glass, and plastic.

Once operational, the facility will also recycle pots, tubs, trays, cartons, and plastic films for the first time.

Separating dry recyclable materials from other waste helps reduce contamination, which occurs when recyclable material becomes unrecyclable due to moisture or food residue.

Reducing contamination increases the resale value of materials, helping to offset the service's operational costs.

Currently, sorting materials costs HCC around £2 million annually.

The new facility project has been developed with Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, who will jointly fund the project.

This ensures a consistent service across Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton.

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Under the Government’s Simpler Recycling guidance issued in November 2024, local authorities are being guided to implement a ‘twin-stream’ approach by April 2026 to encourage a consistent standard across the country.

This will limit the number of containers/bins to four per household (plus a garden waste collection where required), with shared arrangements for buildings with more than one household, such as flats.

A report, set to be considered on April 28, indicates that upgrading Hampshire’s two existing Material Recovery Facilities in Alton and Portsmouth is not feasible due to their age and size limitations.

The new facility aims to boost recycling rates in Hampshire, providing a more efficient and cost-effective recycling service for the county.