Turmec to build advanced recycling facility in Glasgow, boosting UK waste recovery efforts

UK – Turmec, a leading international provider of waste processing and materials recovery solutions, has secured US$20.2 million to develop a state-of-the-art materials recovery facility (MRF) at the Easter Queenslie depot in Glasgow.

The project, approved by the Glasgow City Council’s Contracts and Property Committee, marks a major step forward in the city’s commitment to sustainable waste management.

Set to process up to 50,000 tonnes of household recyclable materials annually, the MRF will serve as a cornerstone of Glasgow’s enhanced waste infrastructure.

It is designed in line with Scotland’s Charter for Household Recycling, which is transforming how dry mixed recyclables (DMR) are collected across the city.

The new facility will complement Glasgow’s ongoing rollout of dual-stream collections, where households separate fibre (paper and card) from containers (plastics, cans, and tins) at the source.

These materials will then be processed at the new MRF, which also has the flexibility to handle co-mingled DMR when necessary.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the MRF will feature robotic sorting systems and AI-powered optical sorters that boost recovery efficiency and enhance material purity.

This high-tech approach will enable Glasgow to produce cleaner recyclates and increase recycling rates across the board.

The redevelopment of the Easter Queenslie depot, supported by approximately £17 million (US$22.89m)in grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund (administered by Zero Waste Scotland), is expected to be completed by early 2027.

The project is anticipated to cut 5,802 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and generate new green jobs, supporting Glasgow’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Councillor Laura Doherty, City Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, emphasized the impact of high-tech sorting on recycling efficiency, “Recycling processors want high-quality, clean, and easily sortable materials. The modern equipment to be installed at Easter Queenslie will be a game-changer for recycling in Glasgow.”

She added, “I look forward to seeing the difference this facility will make in creating a more sustainable and less wasteful city.”

Stuart Murray of Zero Waste Scotland echoed the sentiment, “The Recycling Improvement Fund is making a real difference across Scotland, and Glasgow’s new facility will play a key role in supporting the country’s journey to net zero.”

Turmec’s Associate Director of MRF Sales, Trevor Smart, noted the project’s technical significance, “Together with our technology partner BHS, Turmec will deliver one of the UK’s most advanced MRFs.

“Its AI-controlled sorters and adaptive systems will help Glasgow produce high-quality recyclate while adapting to evolving material streams.”

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