Multi-million-pound Suffolk recycling plant revamp completed. A £12m million redevelopment of a waste facility in Great Blakenham, Suffolk, has been completed to help power a new era of recycling across the county and beyond. 05 Nov 2026 Biffa's Masons Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) near Ipswich has been transformed to support Suffolk's new 'Better Recycling' kerbside recycling collection system, which began in June 2026. The investment means the MRF can now process glass bottles and jars for the first time, helping residents across the five Suffolk district and borough councils and Braintree district recycle more than ever. The project was funded through a £6m investment from Biffa and £6m from the government's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and distributed by Suffolk County Council (£5m) and Braintree District Council (£1m). The EPR scheme sees manufacturers contributing to the cost of disposing of the packaging they make. The investment means the MRF can now process glass bottles and jars for the first time, helping residents across the five Suffolk district and borough councils and the Braintree district recycle more than ever. In Suffolk, it reduces the amount of waste sent to the Suffolk Energy from Waste facility which will help lower carbon emissions. Once fully operational, Masons MRF will process around 65,000 tonnes per year but has the capacity to handle more, meaning it can sort Suffolk's recycling for years to come. This investment is all about making recycling easier and more convenient for Suffolk residents. By working in partnership with Biffa, Suffolk Recycling has transformed the Masons facility to support its new recycling collection system and help households recycle a wider range of materials closer to home. "These improvements will deliver environmental benefits across the county while helping to reduce waste and make better use of valuable resources. We have a duty to protect Suffolk's environment and ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations. This investment is an important part of that commitment." - Cllr Morgan Brobyn, Cabinet Member for Food, Waste and Rural Affairs, Suffolk County Council As part of new Simpler Recycling rules for England, residents across Suffolk are being asked to sort their waste differently, and the £12m refurbishment of its Masons MRF will help them do just that. "The project is among the first significant examples of EPR funding being used to modernise UK recycling infrastructure. "One of the biggest benefits is that residents can now put glass bottles and jars out for recycling at the kerbside, meaning they no longer need to drive to a bottle bank or a household waste recycling centre. "The project is a significant investment in Suffolk's recycling infrastructure and will support the county's recycling needs for many years to come." - Steve Cole, Managing Director, Biffa Municipal Suffolk Recycling is proud to work with Suffolk County Council and Biffa to improve Masons recycling facility and support its new kerbside recycling service. By expanding the range of materials residents can recycle at home, Suffolk Recycling can reduce waste sent to non-recycling bins, preserve valuable resources, strengthen the circular economy, and deliver environmental benefits for its communities." - Cllr Peter Schwier, Cabinet Member for Operations and Pride in Place, Braintree District Council New fire detection and suppression systems have also been installed to help tackle fires caused by incorrectly discarded vapes and batteries. Many local businesses were involved in the construction phase of the upgrade. Food waste collected from homes in Suffolk is processed elsewhere.

Biffa poised to acquire Enva's general recycling businesses in Scotland and England. 3 November 2026 BIFFA has agreed a deal to acquire Enva's general recycling businesses in Scotland and England, which provide commercial, industrial, and construction and demolition waste services. The agreement covers operations at Linwood, Newbridge, Glenrothes and Irvine in Scotland, and Colwick, Wesley Street, Sunningdale and Whetstone in England, together with the associated collection and transport activities. The acquired businesses handle 800,000 tonnes of material a year, employ over 600 people and operate a fleet of more than 150 vehicles. Contracts have been exchanged and completion is expected in December for an undisclosed sum. Biffa said the move further develops its position in the construction and demolition sector, expanding its collection and processing network across England and Scotland and adding operational capacity. The investment supports the company's ambition to help customers reduce waste, increase recycling and keep materials in productive use for longer. For Enva, completion will conclude the group's strategic refocus, following the sale of its wood business to Seras Energy in September 2026. Enva will continue to invest in its resource recovery and environmental services businesses across the UK and Ireland, including its general waste services in Northern Ireland through Irish Waste and McNabb Waste. Michael Topham, CEO of Biffa, said, "This acquisition is a strong strategic fit for Biffa and our long-term ambitions. It further expands our existing capability to recover and recycle materials the construction and demolition sector generates, as well as enhancing our commercial collections business. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and customers, and to building on the strong foundations already in place." Roger McDermott, CEO of Enva, added, "This agreement marks an important step for Enva and our general recycling colleagues in Scotland and England. Biffa is a highly respected business with a strong track record of operational excellence and customer service, and we are confident our colleagues and customers will benefit from joining the Biffa organisation."

Biffa agrees to acquire Enva's general recycling businesses in Scotland and England. Biffa and Enva have entered into an agreement for Biffa to acquire Enva's general recycling businesses in Scotland and England, which provide commercial, industrial, and construction & demolition waste services. The agreement for an undisclosed sum covers operations at Linwood, Newbridge, Glenrothes and Irvine in Scotland, and Colwick, Wesley Street, Sunningdale and Whetstone in England, together with the associated collection and transport activities. The acquired businesses handle 800,000 tonnes of material a year, employ over 600 people and operate a fleet of more than 150 vehicles, serving a broad range of customers. Contracts have been exchanged and completion is expected in December. For Biffa, the acquisition further develops its position in the construction and demolition sector, expanding its collection and processing network across England and Scotland and adding valuable operational capacity. It also enhances the scale and efficiency of its commercial collections business. The investment supports Biffa's ambition to help customers reduce waste, increase recycling and keep materials in productive use for longer, accelerating the transition to a circular economy. For Enva, completion will conclude the group's strategic refocus, following the sale of its wood business to Seras Energy in September 2026. Enva will continue to invest in its resource recovery and environmental services businesses across the UK and Ireland, including its comprehensive general waste services in Northern Ireland through Irish Waste and McNabb Waste. Michael Topham, Chief Executive Officer of Biffa, said: "This acquisition is a strong strategic fit for Biffa and our long-term ambitions. It further expands our existing capability to recover and recycle materials the construction and demolition sector generates, as well as enhancing our commercial collections business. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and customers, and to building on the strong foundations already in place." Roger McDermott, Chief Executive Officer of Enva, said: "This agreement marks an important step for Enva and our general recycling colleagues in Scotland and England. Biffa is a highly respected business with a strong track record of operational excellence and customer service, and we are confident our colleagues and customers will benefit from joining the Biffa organisation. Completion will conclude our strategic refocus and provide a clear platform for further investment and growth across our continuing businesses." Until completion, the businesses will remain part of Enva. Biffa and Enva will work closely together over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders. Share: