Construction started this week on a major new reuse and recycling centre for Milton Keynes that will roughly double capacity and accept items like carpets and asbestos for the first time. The council-led project at Colts Holm Road in Old Wolverton has a 20-week build programme and is due to be completed this October, opening to residents before the end of 2026.
The new facility is being built to handle up to 700,000 visits annually, a sharp rise from the 395,000 visits the existing sites can manage. Last year, residents dropped off 22,300 tonnes of waste and recycling, underlining the need for the investment as the city grows towards a projected 500,000 residents by 2050. Milton Keynes City Council has designed the centre with step-free split-level access, weatherproof canopies, and dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Reuse and Repair Shops will give unwanted items a second life, while solar panels form part of a wider Eco Park that will generate renewable energy.
Councillor Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “We need modern facilities that keep up with demand and give local people a better experience. These centres will be easier to use, more efficient and more sustainable, and we’re investing in this infrastructure now so that Milton Keynes people get the benefits for many years to come.” The Wolverton centre is the first of two planned, with a second facility in Snelshall also on the cards. The council recently signed a new 10-year contract with Suez Recycling and Recovery UK, with the Wolverton site alone estimated to cost around £4 million.
When it opens, the centre will accept a broader range of materials, including carpets and asbestos, which currently cannot be processed at existing sites. Improved signage and clearer separation between public areas and heavy vehicle movements aim to make visits smoother and safer. The project is part of a longer-term strategy to modernise recycling infrastructure across the city, which was recently named England’s top recycling city earlier this year.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
