Middlemore Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre shortlisted for national recycling award
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Walsall Council's Middlemore Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) has been shortlisted for a national award recognising excellence in recycling and waste management.
Walsall Council has been named as a finalist in the HWRC of the Year category at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) Celebration Awards 2026. The winners will be announced on 7 October during the LARAC Conference at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.
The £32 million facility was developed on a six-hectare brownfield site to replace ageing infrastructure and create a modern recycling service for residents, opening in February 2026.
Designed around customer experience, operational efficiency and sustainability, the site combines a Household Waste Recycling Centre, Waste Transfer Station and dedicated Reuse Shop within a single integrated facility.
Since opening, Middlemore Lane has welcomed more than 125,000 visitors. Between February and May 2026, the site handled 3,984 tonnes of household waste and recycling, compared with 3,149 tonnes during the same period at the previous Merchants Way facility in 2025.
“ Being shortlisted for a national award is fantastic recognition of the work that has gone into creating a modern, high-quality recycling facility for Walsall residents.
"Middlemore Lane has transformed how residents recycle and dispose of household waste, while placing greater emphasis on reuse and environmental sustainability. It is already delivering excellent results, with more residents using the site and recycling more materials than ever before.
"We are proud to see Walsall recognised alongside some of the country's leading recycling facilities, and we look forward to the awards in October. “
The LARAC Celebration Awards recognise outstanding achievements across the local authority recycling and waste management sector. The annual conference attracts more than 500 delegates from local authorities across the UK, providing an opportunity to share best practice and celebrate innovation across the industry.
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