Technology

Mechanical and Biological Treatment, or MBT, is the generic term for a variety of processes by which waste is processed in order to remove recyclable and reusable materials.

The aim of MBT is to maximise recycling, minimise the environmental impact of waste disposal and gain some further value from the waste through the recovery of energy.

It will take residual household waste collected from homes across Cheshire and, rather than sending it to landfill, the facility will treat it using the MBT process to allow the extraction of as much energy as possible.

Waste that cannot be recycled will be shredded and dried to create a fuel to be used in a specially designed power station at Weston Point, Runcorn to generate heat and power. 

The small percentage of waste that cannot be recycled will be sent to landfill.