SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK and Somerset Council open their gates for the third year running for a behind the scenes tour of 2 recycling facilities. Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community led festival taking place every year in September, celebrating history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations.
Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling after collection day? SUEZ and Somerset Council are pleased to be opening the gates to members of the public at both of Somerset’s recycling facilities – in Evercreech and Taunton.
Evercreech Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), located in Evercreech Junction Industrial Estate near Shepton Mallet will be open to the public on Saturday 13 September 2025 and Taunton MRF, located at Walford Cross will open on Saturday 20 September 2025.
Each tour shows residents in Somerset exactly what happens after the colourful SUEZ trucks collect their recycling.
As busy operational sites, these facilities are not normally open to the public, the tours are a unique opportunity to get behind the scenes and see what happens up close. Tours will be taking place every hour from 10am, with the last tour at 2pm. Entry is completely free and there are 20 spaces available per tour – visitors must book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
Both Evercreech and Taunton MRF were substantially upgraded between 2020 and 2022 when the new service, Recycle More, was rolled out across the county. The sites are now home to new technology and machinery which allows SUEZ to sort different recycling materials efficiently and effectively, ready to be packed up and sold on to be made into new packaging and products. The 2 facilities process an average of more than 70,000 tonnes of recycling each year, the equivalent weight of around 5,000 double decker buses.
Visitors will be able to see how the recycling lorries empty each compartment of recycling material, as well as the sorting machine which separates plastics from aluminium and steel (tins and cans) which arrive mixed together from the blue bags.
The tours will be hosted by dedicated site operatives from SUEZ who will take visitors through each process, showcasing important information about the facility whilst answering any questions the public might have. Visitors will also learn the potential issues, including fire risks, that come from incorrect disposal of materials like vapes, batteries and gas canisters.
Matt Canning Contract Director for SUEZ said:
We’re really excited to open our doors for the third year in a row. The Heritage Open Days give the public a behind the scenes look at what happens to their recycling after it’s collected on bin day. We welcomed around 95 residents last year and were asked lots of interesting questions. We’re looking forward to showcasing our facilities and our role in reducing waste, and recycling more.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Transport and Waste Services said:
The open days are always well-received. Somerset residents are committed recyclers, shown by our above-average recycling rates. The tours, provided by SUEZ, provide the perfect opportunity to find out that bit more about what happens to our recycling.
For more information about the events, head to the Heritage Open Days website or book directly through Eventbrite for either the Evercreech tour, or Taunton tour.
