£32m state-of-the-art Walsall 'super-tip' building is now complete

The borough's new Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station situated on Middlemore Lane, Aldridge, will replace the tip currently operating in Merchants Way in Aldridge and will temporarily house the Fryer's Road tip in Beechdale when that site is closed for redevelopment in the future.

The revamp project was launched to improve the borough's recycling operations by setting up easy-to-use facilities helping residents to recycle a wider range of items. It is part of efforts to introduce a new waste strategy being launched this year, to allow more materials are reused and upcycled and reduce the amount of items being dumped in landfill.   

Walsall's regeneration boss Councillor Adrian Andrew said: “This project is a huge development for Walsall. What has been delivered here is truly a state-of-the-art facility, which will prove vital in ensuring we can continue to accommodate the waste demands we face in the Borough.      

“No project of this size comes without challenges but working with Morgan Sindall has been seamless throughout. It’s been fabulous watching the plans come into reality. The contribution from Councillor Kerry Murphy throughout this process has been incredible and something I would like to thank her for.

“Our current facilities have served us well, but this project will accommodate our increasing demand and help us all to recycle and reuse more of our waste.”   

The station will have the capacity to process 40,000 tonnes of rubbish per year across 19 bays with each housing two skips.   

In addition to the construction of the recycling centre and transfer station, the site include weighbridges, service yards, ventilation systems plus office and welfare facilities for the staff.       

It also includes a reuse shop with a workshop area  where the staff will refurbish items that would otherwise have been thrown away. The upcycled items will then be sold at low cost to customers.        

Morgan Sindall Construction area director Richard Fielding said: "It’s an incredible achievement to handover these key facilities to Walsall Council. Sustainability is core to everything we do, so it makes us proud to deliver a project that will actively contribute to landfill diversion, increased recycling rates, and an overall cleaner borough for Walsall’s residents.    

“Through our commitment to delivering social value and supporting the next generation of construction professionals, we’ve built a lasting connection with the local community and very much look forward to continuing our relationship with Walsall Council in future.” 

The rebuilding scheme involved employment of 19 apprentices and five graduates and nine school visits offering pupils hands-on construction industry experience.     

In total, the project generated £753,000 in social value, including donations of winter essentials to Walsall Outreach and approximately £12,000 raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice through metal recycling proceeds. 

The opening date for the new centre will be announced by the council.