How Modern Waste Management Transforms Materials into Resources

Written by Nick Towens

Key Findings

• 92% of all waste we process is either recycled, reused, or recovered.
• Our advanced recycling process transforms construction waste into valuable resources like aggregates, biomass fuel, and new metal or plastic products.
• We operate four elite recycling facilities in Somerset and a fleet of over 40 vehicles.
• Our work helps reduce carbon footprints, protect natural resources, and divert waste from landfill.

As global awareness continues to rightfully rise, it’s time that we all assess our relationships with recycling.

At Towens, we view waste as a potential resource rather than an issue. For over 25 years, we’ve been pioneering sustainable waste management solutions that help businesses and homeowners across Somerset give construction waste a new lease of life.

With our dedicated team, advanced facilities, and commitment to sustainability, we’re proud to be leading recyclers in the South West.

The shift towards sustainable waste management

Sustainable waste management is no longer a future ambition, it’s the present. More so than ever before, clients and communities are demanding environmentally responsible solutions. By focusing on reuse and recycling, rather than relying on landfill, we help preserve natural resources, protect human health, and reduce the energy required to manufacture new products.

At Towens, our mission is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. Whether it’s construction debris, food waste, household waste, or business waste, our recycling process ensures as much material as possible is given a second life.

What happens to the waste we receive in our skips?

Step 1: Skip Collection and Transport

When a customer books a skip, we include two weeks of hire as standard. Once you’re ready for collection, a member of staff from our fleet will collect the skip and transport it to one of our depots.

Step 2: Weighing and Inspection

Every skip is weighed when it arrives. This gives us insight into the tons of materials being processed and helps refine our recycling process for maximum efficiency.

Step 3: Transfer Station Sorting

At our state-of-the-art transfer stations, the waste is offloaded and prepared for sorting. Our trained operatives begin identifying different types of waste, including plastic, cardboard, scrap metal, garden waste, stone, and soil.

Step 4: Picking Belt Process

The waste is placed on a picking belt where it’s sorted by hand and machinery. Materials are separated into categories like plastic bottles, glass bottles, cardboard, and wood.

Step 5: Material Bay Separation

Each type of waste is directed into its own bay. We have dedicated areas for aggregates, metals, paper, plastics, and more. Even unusual materials like plant pots, pet bedding, and sand can be sorted appropriately for recycling or safe disposal.

Recycled materials: Where do they go?

Recycled Aggregates

Aggregates like concrete and brick are crushed and reused in new construction projects or civil engineering works.

Wood

Recycled wood is repurposed as biomass fuel or chipboard.

Metals

Scrap metal is melted down and formed into new products – significantly reducing the need for mining and saving energy.

Plastics

Plastic bottles and other plastics are processed into pellets for new plastic products or used in the textile industry.

Cardboard & Paper

These are pulped and turned into new types of paper.

What Construction Waste Can Be Recycled?

As well as domestic waste, waste from construction can also be used effectively. Construction and demolition waste is one of the largest waste streams in the UK. Fortunately, much of it is recyclable, including:

• Concrete and brick
• Soils and subsoils
• Tarmac and road planings
• Metals (ferrous and non-ferrous)
• Wood
• Plastics and packaging
• Type of glass

At Towens, we operate four fully equipped recycling centres where we process mixed construction waste. Through a combination of mechanical sorting, crushing, screening, and quality control, we reclaim materials and return them to the supply chain.

The environmental benefits of recycling construction waste

Recycling isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for the planet. Our work reduces the extraction of raw materials, cuts emissions, and conserves natural resources. Here’s how:

• Reduces energy use: Recycling uses much less energy than manufacturing from virgin materials.
• Protects human health: Proper waste disposal prevents harmful chemicals from entering the soil, air, or water.
• Preserves natural resources: By reusing building materials, we reduce the demand for raw aggregates.
• Reduces landfill reliance: With only 8% of our waste going to landfill, we help prolong the life of landfill sites and reduce methane emissions.

Why Choose Recycled Materials?

Using recycled materials isn’t just about ticking a sustainability box – it’s a practical, cost-effective solution with real benefits:

1. Cost Savings

Recycled aggregates are typically more affordable than quarried stone or virgin materials.

2. Environmental Impact

Less energy is used to process recycled materials, resulting in lower carbon emissions.

3. Resource Conservation

Using recycled products reduces demand for raw materials, protecting natural landscapes and ecosystems.

4. Circular Economy

Recycling extends the life cycle of materials, keeping them in use and out of landfill.

Who are Towens?

Based in Weston-super-Mare, Towens is a family-owned waste management, recycling, haulage, and environmental services company with a 30-year track record. We serve Somerset with sustainable waste solutions backed by a personal touch.

With four advanced recycling centres and a fleet of over 40 vehicles, we handle over a million tons of material per year. We’re proud to support customers across Somerset in making smarter, greener choices.

If you’d like further advice:

• Call us on 01934 424242
• Email: skips@towens.co.uk
• Or visit our website to fill out an online form