Waste management company Biffa have signed a £12 million contract to upgrade a materials recovery facility (MRF) near Ipswich.
The investment by Suffolk County Council aims to support its transition to a dual-stream recycling system. From April 2026, household recycling will be collected in two parts: a wheelie bin for glass, cans , and plastics, and an additional one for paper and card.
Biffa is funding half of the MRF upgrade costs, with the rest allocated to the county council through the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
Once complete, Biffa says the site will be able to handle up to 75,000 tonnes of recycling annually.
Cllr Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said the upgrade marks a ‘significant step forward for recycling in Suffolk’.
The investment will fund a new glass processing plant, twin-ram baler, and welfare and office block. £1 million has been allocated for a new fire protection system, including Helios cannons and sprinklers.
Biffa says the upgrade will also install advanced Tomra optical sorters and film extraction systems , as well as additional storage bays and yard space.
The project is part of a 10-year extension to Biffa’s waste disposal contract with Suffolk County Council.
Craig Konczak, Biffa’s Director of MRFs and PRFs, said: “As the UK leader in sustainable waste management, our work with local authorities at district and county level drives positive change, helping people waste less and recycle more, with all the environmental and economic benefits that brings.”
“The work at Masons means we can build on the progress we’ve made together for many more years to come.”
