New Reconomy Alibone factory to process up to 2,000 tonnes a week

Reconomy Alibone has launched a paper processing facility that is equipped to process up to 2,000 tonnes of paper per week.

The company currently processes 7,000 tonnes of recovered paper and card a month at its Earls Barton site in Northampton, and aims to increase this to 2,000 a week by 2010.

Caroline Holdway, marketing executive, said: "We operate primarily within the print industry, offering either local collection options or installing large-scale balers nationally for onsite baling and direct removal for recycling."

Waste paper and cardboard is sorted at the site, pulped and baled, and either recycled through the company's links with paper mills into ­tissue and similar household goods, or exported.

The site offers confidential shredding and has recently obtained further planning permission to extend the facility to boost its shredding capabilities.

The plant is also home to one of the UK's largest sedum roofs, which consists of a carpet of thick plants.

The sedum roof acts as a camouflage and also collects and stores rainwater for use in site processes. 

Holdway said: "We send very little waste to landfill and are seeking, as a group, to eliminate this practise wherever possible.

"Reconomy are investing in new facilities and technologies to minimise waste to landfill, and Earls Barton is currently our flagship site with regards to our vision of the future."