Work 'well under way' on new recycling centre

The demolition of a former council building is "well under way" ahead of the construction of a state-of-the-art waste recycling centre.

Suffolk County Council was given planning permission in February 2025 to knock-down an old Ipswich Borough Council depot to build a waste management facility.

The site, on Whittle Road, at the Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, in Ipswich, will replace the current Portman's Walk recycling facility, which will close.

Work started earlier this summer and the authority said good progress is being made on the project, which is expected to be completed in summer 2027.

County councillor Morgan Brobyn, cabinet member for food, waste and rural affairs said the demolition was well under way, adding: "It's amazing to think this entire structure will soon be gone, making way for a brand-new facility that will serve local residents for years to come."

The new recycling centre will be about three times larger than the Portman's Walk site, meaning more booking slots will be available.

There will be increased capacity for queuing, recycling and donating items for reuse and greater separation between public vehicles and larger vehicles.

There will also be improved accessibility. A raised platform will enable visitors to dispose of waste without having to use steps.

"Unlike the current Portman's Walk site, we'll also be able to change four containers without having to close the centre," added Brobyn.

"Once complete this new recycling centre will be a huge improvement, not just for Ipswich, but for the surrounding area too. It's a really exciting project."

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