Eight councils have invested in a sub-regional recycling factory in Coventry called the Sherbourne material recycling facility (MRF for short). This is a massive venture and is valued at around £80million, paid mostly by loans from local councils to a new firm, owned by the councils called Sherbourne Recycling Limited. The loans to this firm, from 8 councils, totalled £67m in its 2024 accounts, including £5m from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC).
This high risk venture could save the councils millions over its lifetime, and produce profits back to the councils; or could create a major burden. The Green councillors have been warning both the Borough and County Council of the need for a massive education campaign to enable the plant to operate more efficiently and profitably. It is a massive waste to have £80m machinery that is not being used well. There has already been one small fire at the plant, which seems to have been the result of a disposalable vape placed in the recycling. This could be a massive success if contamination rates are low and materials are clean. This matters, as at the bottom line is that we are locked into the plant, both through our waste contracts and the Council’s investment.
At the moment, waste and recycling collections are managed separately by the 5 district councils, waste disposals and tips are managed by Warwickshire County Council, but most of the waste is sorted or incinerated in Coventry. There are millions to be saved by having one set of management and one set of contracts. We could also invest in getting more recycled if system was all joined up.
To find out more
www.sherbournerecycling.co.uk
