A HAYES industrial site is proposed to be the site of the UK’s largest nappy recycling facility.

Knowaste, a company recycling absorbent hygiene waste, is planning to invest about £14million in the development of its new site - Hayes 180 - a 3,746 sq m building at 1 Uxbridge Road, on the western edge of Springfield Road Industrial and Business Area.

It hopes to open in early 2017 and promises to offer apprenticeships and create up to 20 new jobs, including administrative staff, site operatives and technical operatives.

If approved, Hayes 180 would be the biggest plant of its kind in the UK, according to Knowaste. It would turn 36,000 tonnes of waste a year, including nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary towels, into plastic and pet litter.

Hillingdon Council expect to make a decision by November 25 and is inviting comments from the public until next Tuesday.

Originally from North America, Knowaste opened their first UK facility, a two-year pilot scheme, in West Bromwich in the Midlands in 2011.

Hayes 180 is part of a larger programme of site development that Knowaste is keen to roll out across the UK.

Paul Richardson, UK business development director at Knowaste, said: “We believe that our investment will have a very positive impact within the local community and we are looking forward to engaging local schools, businesses and residents to highlight the environmental benefits of Knowaste coming to their area.

“Our planning submission will not alter the existing building, including design. The only change will be the internal use of the building for our recycling technology.

“Hayes 180 is the start of an exciting phase for Knowaste, and the area of West London offers a great foundation for the development of our technology.”

Knowaste’s planning statement to the council said deliveries would typically be made between 7am and 5pm, though there may be two or three deliveries during the night.

A company spokesman said its recycling saved up to 70 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions when compared to the usual disposal methods of landfill and incineration.

Comment at www.hillingdon.gov.uk by October 13, reference 1911/APP/2015/3211.

For more information, visit www.knowaste.com/hayes180