What’s a resource recovery park and why are they on the rise?
13th February 2026
It is estimated that in the last couple of years the UK has generated around 40.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste, so it is only natural that communities across the country are looking to find ways to reduce waste and make the most out of reusable materials.
One solution gaining more attention in recent years is the concept of the resource recovery park. This facility is responsible for turning waste into valuable resources through repurposing, reusing and recycling materials.
This shift from traditional landfill-focused operations into resource recovery is considered by many to be the only way forward in today’s environmental context.
What is a resource recovery park?
Resource recovery defines the process of extracting valuable materials from waste streams and repurposing them to create renewable energy or reuse materials. The aim is to reduce the growing problem of land fill waste which is often the cause of fires, odour complaints and waste crimes. Landfills and dumpsites also weaken land value, deter tourism and, most importantly, contribute to environmental problems.
Resource recovery parks are facilities, which are considered essential to the development of a circular economy – where materials and resources are retained within the community rather than discarded. It operates as a continuous loop in dealing with waste, instead of the outdated system of ”take, make and dispose”.
The materials that can be repurposed in resource recovery parks include waste such as plastics, cardboard, paper, metal and organic waste, such as food scraps, plant-based materials and wood.
Why are resource recovery parks on the rise?
With quite a few resource recovery parks in the UK, the collective benefit of their result is one of the driving forces for the rise of them. Since its opening in 2018, Allerton Waste Recovery Park has reduced the amount of household waste being sent to landfill by at least 90%, which has many environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions and creating local green jobs.
The benefits to communities
Resource recovery parks are more than just specialised facilities for reusing waste. They also encourage communities to be more environmentally conscious, promote healthy recycling practices and reduce health risks that come from improper waste disposal for community members.
In reality, we as people and businesses can no longer assume that our planet’s resources are endless. That’s why resource recovery parks, alongside responsible, local commercial waste collection companies, are the new, more sustainable way forward. There’s a movement of being more environmentally-friendly, more conscious and more responsible when it comes to dealing with waste, and we see that across many communities in the UK, with 79% of residents reporting lifestyle changes to tackle environmental issues.
Why resource recovery parks matter
According to research, humans are overconsuming from nature 1.8 times faster than it can replenish itself, which means communities and businesses have the responsibility of using facilities such as resource recovery parks to support a greener future and prevent the decimation of natural habitats.
At Everflow we believe in the value of moving towards a more circular, environmentally conscious future. That’s why our commercial waste collection services align with latest regulations to prioritise recycling, reuse and repurposing.
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