WITH permission firmly under its belt for the construction of a multi-million pound materials recovery facility (MRF) on the A31 at Holybourne, Hampshire Waste Services (Onyx) is keen now to implement its plan.

According to Onyx director John Collis, construction work will begin shortly with the MRF operational by the end of 2003.

Described as the most advanced in Europe with Òworld class cutting edge technologyÓ, the new plant will have the capacity to receive 85,000 tonnes of recyclable materials each year using technology and manpower to sort plastic, tins and paper which will then be sent to external processors.

To be constructed on seven acres of what was the former Gibbs Palmer site at Cuckoos Corner, the facility will be subject to a landscaping programme, particularly along the highway boundary, to minimise its visual impact.

The north eastern section of the site will be used as a waste transfer station for non-recyclable waste.

The new MRF will form part of HampshireÕs Project Integra strategy for dealing with household waste. The project involves the countyÕs 14 local authorities working together with waste contractor, Hampshire Waste Services, to ensure that waste is disposed of in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way possible.

Hampshire currently collects more than 840,000 tonnes of waste each year with a significant proportion going to landfill. The county currently recycles around 25 per cent of its waste but has a target to recycle 40 per cent.

As HCCÕs main waste contractor, John Collis says his company is Òabsolutely delightedÓ to have been given the go-ahead to construct this new facility at Alton.

ÒWe only have one other MRF in the county at Portsmouth. As recycling has become more successful a second facility has become essential to handle the increasing amounts of recyclable material collected.

ÒLargely this record is thanks to the people of Hampshire. Around 90 per cent of Hampshire homes now have a kerbside recycling collection and this has proven to be the single most effective measure to ensure that recycling happens.

ÒRecycling in this age is critical and the Alton facility will become an asset to the countyÕs waste strategy,Ó he said.