Company unveils £1million investment at Chesterfield recycling site

Ward bought the metal recycling and waste processing plant at Newbridge Lane in 2015.

Over 18 months, the company has carried out a number of upgrades at the site, including creating a new recycling building and putting up a 15-metre high wall which acts as a sound barrier, significantly reducing noise levels.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, who officially opened the new building complex, said: "I hope that the new site both enables Ward to expand its investment in Chesterfield and alleviates some of the noise issues that Ward has responded constructively to.

"Finding a reasonable balance between industry's legitimate operational needs, which aid hitting recycling targets and limiting the impact on people's quality of life, is very important to me.

"There has been constructive dialogue between Ward and the local community.

"I hope that the impressive new site leads to sustainable expansion that enhances the local environment."

Donald Ward, head of technical and recycling at Ward, said: "Over 50,000 tonnes of waste material is recycled at our Chesterfield site each year and we employ 40 people locally.

"We wanted to bring the old buildings on site up-to-date and improve the environment for our team and the local community alike.

"Now that the installation of the building and other works are complete, it is hoped from this state-of-the-art facility we can continue our work in minimising waste to landfill and pass on savings."