A new £27 million recycling and resource facility has been opened in Aberdeen.

The Altens East plant was developed by SUEZ recycling and recovery on behalf of the city council.

It will divert 71,000 tonnes of Aberdeen's waste from landfill every year, including glass, cardboard, paper, plastics, and metals. It will help the city to meet Scottish Government recycling and recovery targets and save residents in the region of £6m in landfill tax per year.

In addition, the facility has an Energy Efficiency 'A rating', with features including solar panels on the building roof, energy efficient LED lights, while SUEZ has been working with the manufacturers of its processing equipment to reduce its power demand.

Overall, the centre is part of Aberdeen City Council's Zero Waste project aimed at increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

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Council Co-Leader Jenny Laing said: "The new £27million recycling and resource facility is a first for Scotland as it's the country's most advanced – and also newest - mixed recycling facility.

"I am delighted to open this fantastic new facility as it will further our commitment to be a Zero Waste city by encouraging recycling as much as we can.

"We have already increased our recycling rates by 25% since the introduction of a new recycling-priority bin to residents six months ago and the new facility will mean more of this waste will be made into new goods which is good for the environment and our residents."

David Palmer-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, added: "This state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in Scotland and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK is delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council in creating a society where there is no more waste.

"The facility has created almost 50 jobs for local residents and we are looking forward to further deepening our relationship with the local community."

Elsewhere, a new £150m energy from waste plant - the NESS Energy Project – will process waste which be recycled and will provide renewable energy to provide heating for homes, businesses and neighbouring areas to help reduce fuel poverty.

Planning permission for the project was granted in October 2016, with work scheduled to begin in January 2019.

Image: (L to R) David Palmer-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK and Cllr Jenny Laing, Co-Leader of the Aberdeen City Council (credit: Michal Wachucik/ Abermedia).

(LM)