Serco launches £10m waste transfer station for Sandwel

Serco together with Sandwell Council have opened a new £10 million waste transfer station in Tipton.  Eagle Lane Transfer Hub in Danks Way, Tipton, handles more than 1,700 tonnes of waste and recycling each week collected from homes across the borough.

Eagle Lane Transfer Hub, which has an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes, is an innovative approach to speeding up waste transfer times and will deliver a more efficient collection service to the residents in Sandwell.

All rubbish collected from Sandwell's residents including domestic, garden and food waste as well as recycling, is taken to the transfer station when collection vehicles are full. Materials are then bulked up and sent to either recycling centre processors or waste treatment facilities.

Serco's Director Jason Holtom said, "We're delighted to see Eagle Lane Transfer Hub completed and open on time. Having our own transfer station gives us greater control of our services and speeds up things up for our drivers. As a result we're already delivering a quicker and more efficient service."

Jason added: "I'd like to thank everybody involved in the planning and construction of the site and welcome the staff that are operating the site in such a committed and enthusiastic way."

The site measures more than 23,500 square metres with the main building measuring 4,460 square metres. More than 100 new jobs have been created during the planning and construction phase of the development and eight new full time members of staff work now operate the site.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said, "Since teaming up with Serco in 2010 we have dramatically improved waste and recycling services for residents. Recycling rates have rocketed and we're sending less to landfill which means avoiding expensive landfill taxes. The opening of Eagle Lane Transfer Hub is another important milestone that underlines our dedication to continuing to improving services in Sandwell." 

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