MK City Council begin construction on new reuse and recycling centre

Milton Keynes City Council have begun construction on a new reuse and recycling centre in Wolverton.

Construction began yesterday (26/05) on a new site that is intended to make it easier for residents to recycle when it opens later this year.  

The Council said that residents can look forward to improved recycling facilities later this year, as construction begins on a new Reuse and Recycling Centre on Colts Holm Road, Old Wolverton. The project, led by Milton Keynes City Council, aims to provide a safer, more accessible and user-friendly site for managing household waste.  

Designed with residents in mind, the new facility will feature step-free, split-level access so items can be deposited directly into containers, improved signage, and clear separation between public areas and heavy vehicle movements. It will also include weatherproof canopies, better accessibility for people with mobility issues, and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Reuse will support unwanted items and give them a second life and reduce waste.  

Construction is expected to last around 20 weeks, with completion planned for October and the site set to open to residents by the end of 2026.  

Earlier this year, Milton Keynes was officially named England’s top recycling city, and residents dropped 22,300 tonnes of waste and recycling to its recycling centres last year. As the city grows, that figure is expected to rise significantly by 2050.   

At full capacity, the current sites can accommodate around 395,000 visits with no room for expansion, so the city council plans to almost double capacity by developing modern new Recycling and Reuse Centres in Wolverton and Snelshall that would accommodate 700,000 visits per year.  

The new centres will also bring a range of improvements, including:  

• Easier access with safer layouts for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and those with mobility needs. 
• Less congestion, with sites better suited to handle traffic. 
• More items accepted, including carpets and asbestos. 
• Reuse and Repair Shops so unwanted items can be given a second life. 
• Greener facilities, including solar power, with at least one site fully off grid. 
• Covered areas to improve the experience in all weather.  

Cabinet Member for Public Realm, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, said, “We need modern facilities that keep up with demand and give local people a better experience. These centres will be easier to use, more efficient and more sustainable, and we’re investing in this infrastructure now so that Milton Keynes people get the benefits for many years to come.”

In time, the new Wolverton recycling and reuse centre will form part of an Eco Park which will generate renewable energy for the city and help reduce carbon emissions.