Walsall Household Waste Recycling Centre & Waste Transfer Station

Located on a six-hectare brownfield site previously occupied by McKechnie Brass Ltd, the newly developed Waste Transfer System plays a pivotal role in Walsall Council’s long-term waste management strategy. The facility significantly strengthens the borough’s capacity to process waste, with the ability to handle up to 40,000 tonnes annually.

Key features of the facility include 19 dual-skip bays, a reuse shop with an integrated workshop to support circular economy initiatives, and a full suite of infrastructure such as weighbridges, odour control systems, fire suppression technology, and dust filtration units.

The site also houses modern office and welfare amenities to support both staff and visitors.

Initially, it was planned that the project would follow a traditional piled foundation design largely due to cost and programme efficiencies. However, as the team progressed with detailed site investigations, the reality of the terrain began to emerge.

The findings revealed extensive moisture retention across the site, with standing surface water and a central pond indicating poor natural drainage. In particular, low-lying areas exhibited saturated soils, raising very serious concerns about the long-term viability of a piled solution. In response to this, through a collaborative exercise including our supply chain, the team recommended a strategic shift to a pad foundation design. This alternative prioritised resilience and durability, aligning the foundation approach with the actual ground conditions rather than the original assumptions.

To enable this revised solution, the project team undertook a series of targeted ground remediation measures, which included:

• Site Clearance: Vegetation was removed, and the central pond was excavated to improve surface water management.
• Drainage Works: A ‘V’ trench was introduced to facilitate effective drainage and eliminate perched groundwater.
• Soil Management: Wet soils from low-lying zones were excavated and placed in windrows to accelerate drying through natural aeration.
• Ground Stabilisation: Once dried, the soil was treated with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) cement, significantly enhancing its load-bearing capacity and suitability for pad foundation installation.

The project maintained a clear focus on supporting local employment and developing workforce skills. This was reflected in the fact that 69% of the workforce was recruited from within a 20-mile radius, contributing to the local economy and community engagement. In addition, the project provided practical industry experience to emerging professionals, with 19 apprentices and 5 graduate placements involved in its delivery.

Education and outreach formed a key part of the project's social value strategy. As part of this, the team facilitated nine school visits, aimed at engaging young people and raising awareness of career opportunities in construction and engineering. One notable initiative involved three local students who were invited to join Project Manager Steven Woodcock and Senior Business Development Manager Karina Connolly for a guided tour of the facility. This experience provided the students with insight into the project's role within the community and highlighted the importance of sustainable infrastructure.

Beyond workforce development, the project generated tangible social value through a range of community-focused initiatives. These included the donation of winter essentials to Walsall Outreach and the raising of £6,750 for Acorns Children’s Hospice through the recycling of scrap metal recovered from the site.

Read about our Project Spotlight Here