WORK has begun on creating a recovery and recycling centre.

The facility is being constructed by Premier Waste Management, at Washington's Monument Park and the first phase will open in December.

Phase one of the facility will enable the recycling of non-hazardous materials such as cardboard, paper, plastics, wood and metals collected from commercial properties.

Later phases will allow materials from general waste to be processed, using technology which converts food into a soil conditioning product.