What happens to recycling and waste

We recycle about half of the waste collected from your home.

General refuse

The majority of your refuse is taken to local transfer stations for bulking before being transported to a modern Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) facility in Leicestershire.

At the ERF the waste is burned to generate electricity that is fed into the national grid.

This process reduces the volume of the waste by about 80%. After metals have been removed from the ash by product for recycling this is then used to make aggregates for use in the construction industry.

Garden waste

Garden waste is composted locally on an industrial-scale.

The organic waste is shredded, mixed and formed into rows which are regularly turned to improve oxygen content, distribute heat and moisture. The process takes on average 16 weeks.

The compost is then screened to remove contaminants such as plastics, metals and any large pieces that have not broken down. The end product is used on local farms as a soil conditioner and for horticulture.

Recycling

Recycling collected from your recycling bin is taken to a Material Recycling Facility (MRF).

At the MRF, the mixed recycling is sorted and separated into different types of materials mostly by machines. The sorted materials are then compacted into bales to reduce the volume for transport before being sent to manufacturers who make it into new products.

Food waste

The food waste collected in the Corby and East Northamptonshire areas is recycled at a local Anaerobic Digestor (AD) plant.

At the AD, the food is broken down by natural bacteria in giant tanks without oxygen. This produces a methane rich biogas. Some of this biogas is injected direct into the gas grid and some is used to generate electricity for the national grid.

A slurry by product is also produced. This is used as a fertilizer on farms.

Last updated 23 March 2026