The Manchester office of leading Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers Thomasons is acting for waste treatment company Agrivert on the design and construction of a substantial new facility in Avonmouth to convert biodegradable waste such as food waste and green waste into general compost for re-use. Such facilities help reduce biodegradable waste input to landfill and also qualify as a contributor to meeting Local Authority recycling targets.
The biodegradeable waste is stored in compost tunnels for a number of weeks and then moved onto the maturation pad prior to being screened and transported off site. The temperature and moisture content of the material is monitored throughout the process and supplemented with fresh air and leachate when required. This is the latest such project Thomasons has undertaken for Agrivert. A similar facility opened successfully in Edmonton in 2005.
The new facility is to be constructed on the site of an old metal works and as part of the construction plan, all external works have been designed to minimise the extent of off site disposal of any contaminated material.
Thomasons is responsible for the design of the foundations, ground slabs, tunnel walls, push walls and drainage systems associated with the four main buildings comprising the reception building, tunnels building, maturation pad and screening building as well as a number of smaller structures such as the biofilter slab, welfare building and tank slabs.
The new Avonmouth facility is expected to open later in 2007.
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About Thomasons
Established 60 years ago in London, Thomasons is a leading firm of Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers, with offices in Guildford, Leeds, London, Manchester and Southend on Sea. With more than 130 people nationwide, Thomasons is one of the top 30 practices in the UK specialising in the Built Environment and the firm’s structure and resources enable it to take on some of the largest projects as well as being able to respond effectively to assignments of all sizes. Consulting Civil and Structural Engineering form the core of the firm’s practice, together with specialist groups advising on areas including Structural Glass, Building Surveying, Health and Safety and Design Technology.
www.thomasons.co.uk
About Agrivert
Agrivert has over 10 years’ experience in the organic waste management sector and has built market leading positions in Composting and Biosolids as well as Sealed Surface construction. Operating across the UK, Agrivert works for many Local Authorities and water companies in the specialist field of organic waste processing and recycling. Agrivert’s long term experience gained in large scale processing and recycling of organic waste has allowed Agrivert to apply its knowledge in a relevant manner to the significant emerging market of municipal waste treatment. It offers a focused range of solutions for biodegradable municipal waste.
www.agrivert.co.uk