MORE than a third of workers at a Darwen recycling plant face losing their jobs because waste is to be sent to Birmingham instead.
Bosses at Greenstar Recycling, Railway Road, told the 23 workers up to nine jobs could be axed in the next few weeks.
The move comes after Blackburn with Darwen Council put restrictions on hours the Darwen plant could work due to complaints over noise, and because a new Birmingham plant can handle a wider mix of waste, including plastic packaging.
A Greenstar UK spokesperson said: "Staff will be fully consulted. This, plus a requirement by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council that Greenstar cuts working hours at the site to reduce local noise impact, will see the Darwen plant reverting to a single shift system."
Peter Hunt, director of regeneration and environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Technology has moved on and the Birmingham plant can deal with a greater mix of recycling materials."
Sunnyhurst ward Coun Dave Smith, said: "Recycling is great, but think of the extra emissions being pumped into the atmosphere by transporting it to Birmingham."
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