ENGLAND | A £12 million redevelopment of a Suffolk waste facility is complete, bringing in a new era for recycling across the country.
Biffa’s Masons Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) near Ipswich has been transformed to support Suffolk's new ‘Better Recycling’ kerbside recycling collection system, which began in June 2026.
The MRF, which helps the five Suffolk district and borough councils and Braintree district recycle, can now process glass bottles and jars for the first time.
The project was funded through a £6m investment from Biffa and £6m from the government's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and distributed by Suffolk County Council (£5m) and Braintree District Council (£1m).
The EPR scheme requires manufacturers to contribute to the cost of disposing of the packaging they make.
In Suffolk, it reduces the amount of waste sent to the Suffolk Energy from Waste facility, helping lower carbon emissions.
Once fully operational, Masons MRF will process around 65,000 tonnes per year but can handle more, meaning it can sort Suffolk’s recycling for years to come.
Suffolk County Council Waste and Rural Affairs Cabinet Member for Food, Morgan Brobyn, said the investment was all about making recycling easier and more convenient for Suffolk residents.
“These improvements will deliver environmental benefits across the county while helping to reduce waste and make better use of valuable resources,” said Brobyn.
“We have a duty to protect Suffolk’s environment and ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations. This investment is an important part of that commitment.”
Biffa Municipal Managing Director Steve Cole said the redevelopment will help residents better sort their rubbish according to the Simpler Recycling rules for England.
“The project is among the first significant examples of EPR funding being used to modernise UK recycling infrastructure,” explained Cole.
“One of the biggest benefits is that residents can now put glass bottles and jars out for recycling at the kerbside, meaning they no longer need to drive to a bottle bank or a household waste recycling centre.”
Braintree District Council Cabinet Member for Operations and Pride in Place, Peter Schwier, said the redevelopment would have multiple benefits.
“By expanding the range of materials residents can recycle at home, we can reduce waste sent to non-recycling bins, preserve valuable resources, strengthen the circular economy, and deliver environmental benefits for our communities.”
New fire detection and suppression systems have also been installed to help tackle fires caused by incorrectly discarded vapes and batteries.
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