Concerns arise over potential odors as Cambridgeshire waste is sent to Northern Ireland for recycling
Cambridge: A councillor is worried about bad smells. A recycling firm in Northern Ireland has a new contract to process waste from English councils, including Cambridgeshire. The City Council has partnered with Re-Gen, a recycling company based in Newry, Northern Ireland.
This contract could lead to a larger deal involving 80,000 tonnes of dry mixed recycling. However, there are concerns that shipping non-recyclable waste from Warrenpoint Harbour might worsen odor issues in the area.
Most of the waste Re-Gen receives is recycled at its Newry plant. Anything that can’t be processed is often shipped overseas. Complaints about bad smells from the harbour have been made before, prompting action from the harbour authority.
In July 2024, Peterborough City Council signed a contract with Re-Gen worth £9 million over seven years. This contract is part of the RECAP Waste Partnership, which includes several councils working together to manage recycling.
Shipping Waste from Cambridge to Northern Ireland Every Month
The RECAP group needs to manage 82,000 tonnes of dry mixed recycling. Recently, Labour Cllr Rosy Moore announced that 400 tonnes of Cambridge’s waste will be recycled in Newry each month starting in March.
A report from the Harbour last year stated they would follow recommendations from an Environmental Audit Report. This includes measures like independent monitoring and reducing the time waste bales can stay at the harbour.
Reports of Bad Odour
At a recent meeting, Dr. Gerard O’Hare from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority apologized for past odor issues. He assured the community that they would implement the audit’s recommendations to prevent future problems.
Despite some improvements, he acknowledged more work is needed. Crotlieve independent rep Mark Gibbons expressed strong opposition to the new contract, citing ongoing odor complaints from residents.
Re-Gen stated that a review last August found no odor issues. However, Gibbons claimed that waste bales transported from Warrenpoint were the source of the bad smell.
Dr. O’Hare confirmed that the authority would keep the community updated on practices moving forward. Gibbons criticized the lack of consultation with local residents about the new contract.
The WHA was contacted for comments, and Re-Gen declined to list all UK councils it serves, citing commercial sensitivity. Green Party councillor Elliot Tong raised concerns about environmental impacts and carbon footprints.
An amendment to delay the contract was not supported. Re-Gen, which employs 350 people in Newry, plans to invest £100 million in a new site in Great Britain.
Only Recyclable Waste to be Shipped
A spokesperson for Re-Gen clarified that the waste from Cambridge will be recyclable. It will be processed at their Newry plant, with only a small amount of non-recyclable waste going through Warrenpoint.
Re-Gen has operated from Warrenpoint for over ten years. They emphasize their commitment to maintaining a sustainable waste system in Northern Ireland.
In August 2024, a review by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency found no odor issues at their facility. Re-Gen also addressed carbon footprint concerns, stating they use their own haulage fleet to minimize empty trips.
They are trialing Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for their trucks to reduce emissions. By April 2025, they plan to have a new facility in Great Britain to process recyclables from Greater Cambridge, eliminating the need to transport waste to Northern Ireland.
Want more news from Cambridgeshire? Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on big stories from Cambridge and beyond. You can also subscribe to our Peterborough, Traffic, and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on your interests.
