Multi-million-pound Suffolk recycling plant revamp completed

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.

Cllr Morgan Brobyn, Cabinet Member for Food, Waste and Rural Affairs, Suffolk County Council, said:

“This investment is all about making recycling easier and more convenient for Suffolk residents. By working in partnership with Biffa, we have transformed the Masons facility to support our 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.”

Steve Cole, Managing Director, Biffa Municipal, said:

“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 our 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.”

Cllr Peter Schwier, Cabinet Member for Operations and Pride in Place, Braintree District Council, said:

“We are proud to work with Suffolk County Council and Biffa to improve Masons recycling facility and support our new kerbside recycling service. By expanding the range of materials residents can recycle at home, we can reduce waste sent to non-recycling bins, preserve valuable resources, strengthen the circular economy, and deliver environmental benefits for our communities.”

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.