Recycling Facility in Avonmouth to Close Amid Market Challenges

The Resource Recovery Centre in Avonmouth, near Bristol, a recycling plant operated by waste management company Viridor, is scheduled to cease operations at the close of the current year. This facility, which employs 120 individuals, is closing due to reported low recycling rates. In an official statement, Viridor indicated that its mechanical recycling operations have been “negatively impacted by persistently and increasingly challenging market conditions.” The company clarified that its energy recovery facility will remain unaffected by this closure. A Viridor spokesperson confirmed that discussions with staff employed at the Avonmouth site are in progress, with potential redeployment options within the company being explored. The facility, which commenced operations in March 2022, processes 80,000 tonnes of plastic annually. A company spokesperson explained that the global virgin polymer market is experiencing overcapacity, stemming from substantial production increases in more economical markets beyond Europe. This situation has led many businesses to adopt alternative materials, consequently driving down the price of recycled plastics considerably. Furthermore, the European market has seen a rise in the influx of recycled plastics imported from low-cost nations. This situation is not isolated, as other plastic recycling operators in the UK have also closed, and some in Europe have ceased their operations.