Visit our Suffolk Waste facilities or have a group talk to find out!
Suffolk's energy-from-waste facility
If you think Suffolk’s general rubbish bin (non-recyclable) waste goes to landfill – think again!
Since 2014, general rubbish gets taken to the energy-from-waste facility at Great Blakenham which uses the waste as a fuel to produce energy.
As part of the visit, guests will receive a guided tour of the energy-from-waste facility and get a chance to explores their purpose built, interactive visitor centre which explore waste, energy and the environment.
Adults, schools groups and clubs are all welcome. Children must be aged 7+.
Please email suffolkefw.uk@suez.com for more details and to arrange a visit. Alternatively the community liaison officer may be able to visit your school or group.
We also run monthly open days where individuals can sign up for tickets. These can be found at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK open day at the Suffolk EfW.
Recycling centres
Our Recycling Centres in Suffolk accept many items for recycling that can’t be collected at home.
The Recycling Centre Information and Education Manager, Sarah Clarke offers range of enthusiastic talks at community groups and schools as well as the possibility of arranging a visit to a Recycling Centre near you.
For more information about organising a free talk or visit, please contact Sarah.Clarke@fccenvironment.co.uk.
Materials recycling facility
Everything that you put in your recycling bin at home goes to the newly upgraded Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) site in Great Blakenham.
Here the materials are sorted and separated into bales of card, paper, metals and plastics.
The Suffolk Waste Partnership run a limited number of tours of the facility where adult groups can have a look around to see what happens, learn more about recycling and have an opportunity to ask questions . The tours take place on selected Wednesday evenings at 5pm-7pm, March – November.
Please note: this tour is not available to children (visitors must be 18+).
Due to planned upgrades to the Materials Recycling Facility in 2025, public tours for ‘Individuals’ have been suspended. There are a limited number of tour slots available for community groups (up to 10 people per tour.) If you are interested in a group visit, or would like to be added to our waiting list for future tours, please contact waste.management@suffolk.gov.uk