New Sevenoaks Waste Transfer Station Opened

The station provided capacity for the future

Kent County Council (KCC) has officially opened the doors to the new Sevenoaks Waste Transfer Station (WTS) designed to have capacity for the future.

As the waste disposal authority, KCC is required to dispose of waste collected by the district and borough councils of Kent. When waste is collected at the kerbside, it is taken to a WTS where it is deposited, bulked and then taken to be processed or disposed of. These facilities are not open to the public.

The new site has been designed to have the infrastructure that will allow for waste to be disposed of sustainably well into the future. It will enable the recycling of more waste by Sevenoaks District Council and accommodate the Government’s requirements as part of the Simpler Recycling legislation.

The previous site, built in 1990, was no longer fit for purpose, struggling to manage the increase in waste due to housing growth, and the requirement to collect and segregate a much wider range of materials. Realising the demand, KCC secured a 30-year leasing arrangement with Darenth River Ballast Company for the new site.

Construction started in July 2023 and has been completed ahead of schedule, allowing the site to be up and running ahead of the traditionally busy Christmas period.

The site has been permitted to take 75,000 tonnes of waste per year. In 23/24, 37,800 tonnes of waste was taken to the old WTS, meaning the new facility has the capacity and infrastructure for the future.

The site will be operated on KCC’s behalf by Commercial Services Group and is set to become fully operational by mid-September.

Rob Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I am thrilled that we are opening the new Sevenoaks Waste Transfer Station.

“The facility is an impressive structure, allowing for more waste to be sustainably disposed of and ensuring nothing is wasted.

“KCC will continue to work with Sevenoaks District Council, Commercial Services Group and Darenth River Ballast to ensure that the operation of this new site is successful.”

Phil Morgan, Managing Director of CSG Managing Waste: “Commercial Services Group are honoured to have been a part of this fantastic journey for Kent County Council and the people of Sevenoaks. This forward-looking, purpose-built site promises a safer, more compliant and more environmentally focused future for both staff and members of the public alike.”

Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member for Cleaner and Greener, Cllr Irene Roy says: “We work in very close partnership with the waste transfer station and Kent County Council to safely dispose of all of the waste we collect. The new site provides more facilities and opportunities going forward for us to dispose of a wider range of waste and recycling.”

Find out more about waste and recycling in Kent: Rubbish and recycling - Kent County Council

Source: Kent County Council