Suffolk County Council is building a new recycling centre on Whittle Road in Ipswich, Suffolk, to replace the current facility at Portman’s Walk. The new site will be three times the size of the existing one and is designed to make visits easier and safer for the community.
The facility will be located at the Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate on the site of a former depot. It will feature a split-level design with a raised platform, which removes the need for residents to use steps when disposing of their household waste.
Because the new site is much bigger, it will be able to offer more booking slots to help reduce waiting times. The design also keeps cars away from the large lorries used to move waste, which helps traffic flow and improves safety on the site.
Demolition of the old buildings at the new location is set to begin in early summer 2026. Once construction is finished, the centre will be run by FCC Environment, the company that manages recycling sites across the county.
The current Portman’s Walk site has faced criticism since the 1980s for causing traffic jams and being too small for the local population. Cllr Chris Chambers, the Cabinet Minister for Transport, Strategy, Planning and Waste, said the upgrade will provide a modern space for everyone in the area.
