It's been in the pipeline for some time, but Works and Engineering is finally in the planning stages of a new recycling plant at the Government quarry in Bailey's Bay.

A spokesperson for Government's Department of Communication, Valerie Pethen, said last night that Works and Engineering had already started clearing the site and the project was expected to be completed by May 2006.

Government has been discussing plans to close down the existing site near St. Brendan's Hospital in Devon Spring Road as part of a ten-year plan to upgrade waste management on the Island.

The Devonshire recycling plant has received much criticism in the past, including complaints from residents and staff at St. Brendan's who saw the plant as a "health hazard" and complained about the flies, odour and increased rodent activity in the area.

Some $2.2 million was set aside in the 2004/2005 Budget for the new recycling plant which was described by Government as "woefully inadequate" in addressing Bermuda's recycling needs.

While expense has always been seen as the major limiting factor in recycling in Bermuda, officials are optimistic as to the capabilities of the new facility.

Officers at the Devon Spring recycling plant have always expressed hopes in the past of exploring the possibility of getting heavier metals ? such as cars ? off the Island.

They are also looking at different methods of recycling electronic waste including computers and microwaves, fridges and the like.

Tin and aluminium are currently being sent overseas to be recycled and the Island is paid market values on the metals ? generally meaning a loss on tin and a small profit, depending on the market, on aluminium.

Another possibility that's been discussed is paper recycling and this is something that might be looked into with the new plant.