The scheme administrator for Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) has welcomed plans for a multi-million-pound upgrade of one of the UK’s biggest material recovery facilities (MRF) in readiness for the launch of Simpler Recycling for households.
It comes after Suffolk County Council and Biffa signed a contract variation to include a £12million upgrade of Masons MRF near Ipswich.
The investment supports the switch by Suffolk’s five district and borough councils to a dual-stream recycling system in 2026 when household recycling will be collected in two parts – a wheelie-bin for glass, cans and plastics, and an additional one for paper and card.
This will help improve the quality of materials for recycling and reduce the amount of residual waste that needs to be collected.
pEPR funding received by the county council will cover half the cost of the MRF upgrade, with Biffa funding the rest.
The pEPR scheme sees companies who make or sell products paying for what happens to their packaging after it’s thrown away.
They pay a fee based on how much packaging they use and how easy it is to recycle. That money is then passed to councils to cover the cost of collecting, sorting, and recycling packaging waste, and to improve recycling systems.
The goal is to make businesses design packaging that’s better for the environment and to make recycling easier for everyone. Suffolk’s investment is a great example of the EPR system at work.
This demonstrates exactly how pEPR is intended to work, with funding flowing directly into better local recycling systems.
Jeremy Blake, CEO, PackUK, said: “I'm thrilled to see that, just over a month since PackUK issued the first pEPR payments to local authorities across the UK, this funding is already being invested into essential improvements to recycling services.
“With this new upgrade to the Masons MRF site, Biffa and Suffolk County Council are harnessing the innovation that is key to unlocking a more sustainable and circular approach to packaging waste.”
Carla Brian, Biffa’s Public Affairs & Partnerships Director, said: “As the UK leader in sustainable waste management, our work with local authorities at district and county level drives positive change, helping people waste less and recycle more, with all the environmental and economic benefits that brings. The work at Masons means we can build on the progress we’ve made together for many more years to come.”
Once planning permission is approved, the work will modernise and futureproof Masons so it can handle the new materials efficiently and safely for many years to come.
Once complete, the site will handle up to 75,000 tonnes of recycling annually.
Key improvements include:
- A brand-new, state-of-the-art glass processing plant
- £1m of new fire protection, including Helios cannons and sprinklers
- A new twin-ram baler for stronger, more efficient bales
- Upgraded Tomra optical sorters and film extraction systems
- A new welfare and office block
- Additional storage bays and yard space
The project also secures a 10-year extension to Biffa’s waste disposal contract with Suffolk County Council, reinforcing a strong and long-standing partnership.
Cllr Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said: “This upgrade marks a significant step forward for recycling in Suffolk. We are pleased to be working with Biffa to further improve recycling for Suffolk residents and businesses in 2026.”