Proposed kerbside recycling processing facility

A new facility is needed because the current recycling site in Cwmbran is at full capacity and cannot be expanded. The buildings and equipment there are also coming to the end of their lifespan.

Having the right equipment to sort and bale the materials is essential to ensure that we can recycle the materials in the most cost-effective way.

A new, larger site will provide more space, and help the council meet future recycling needs, including upcoming services like collecting plastic film from homes.

The project would be funded through a combination of council capital already set aside for the project, Extended Producer Responsibility funding and support from Welsh Government. There would not be an additional cost to taxpayers.

The proposed facility would be built at the Kays and Kears Industrial Estate in Blaenavon over two phases.

It has been chosen because it has previously been used for recycling activity. It has good road access and offers enough space in the long term.

Phase one

Phase one will create temporary storage areas for recyclable materials like paper and cardboard. These materials will then be loaded onto larger vehicles and taken to a recycling facility.

This temporary step will ensure kerbside recycling collections can continue without disruption while the Cwmbran site closes and the new facility is being developed.

Phase two

Phase two is the long-term plan to build a modern, purpose-designed recycling processing facility.

This would allow recycling collected from homes to be sorted, baled, and stored on site before being sent for processing.

Having everything in one place would make the service much more efficient and provide capacity to collect a wider range of materials in the future, such as plastic film.

Sorting and baling materials on site is also important to ensure the service delivers good value for money — which is why phase one is only a temporary solution.

The project will only go ahead if planning permission is approved and funding is secured. There would be no additional cost to taxpayers.

Summer 2026: planning application for phase one

Autumn 2026: detailed design work for phase two begins

Spring 2027: planning application for phase two

More updates will be added as the project develops.

There are no immediate changes to household recycling collections. Recycling will still be collected weekly.

However, once the new facility is up and running, there will be opportunities for residents to recycle even more materials at the kerbside.

The new facility will not be open to the public. Residents with additional recycling will still need to use the Household Recycling Centre in New Inn.

We do not expect the development to cause a significant increase in traffic compared with the site's current and previous use.

As part of the planning application, a full Transport Statement will be submitted, including a traffic survey. The survey results will help council officers assess any potential impacts on local roads and identify ways to reduce them wherever possible.

If you have any questions about the proposed development, please contact the waste team on wasteprojects@torfaen.gov.uk