Our Wash Plant
Whitelocks operates one of the UK’s largest and most advanced wash plants. Built with efficiency and sustainability at its core, our wash plant plays a vital role in our commitment to environmentally friendly operations. Designed to handle high volumes of material, it enables us to process and recover valuable aggregates from construction and demolition waste, reducing landfill and supporting a circular economy. Based in Yorkshire, our facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art filter press that…
Whitelocks operates one of the UK’s largest and most advanced wash plants. Built with efficiency and sustainability at its core, our wash plant plays a vital role in our commitment to environmentally friendly operations. Designed to handle high volumes of material, it enables us to process and recover valuable aggregates from construction and demolition waste, reducing landfill and supporting a circular economy.
Based in Yorkshire, our facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art filter press that significantly reduces water usage by recycling up to 90% of the water used during the washing process. This not only minimises our environmental impact but also ensures consistent output of high-quality, reusable materials.
From recycled aggregates to clean soils, our wash plant helps us deliver sustainable solutions across the construction and civil engineering sectors.
How does a wash plant work?
A wash plant cleans, separates, and processes materials such as soil, stone, and construction waste. It removes contaminants, extracts usable aggregates, and produces clean, reusable materials.
At Whitelocks, our wash plant:
- Removes fines and contaminants – producing clean, high-quality outputs
- Recovers valuable materials – turning waste into usable aggregates
- Reduces landfill – less material sent to waste disposal
- Supports recycling – promotes a circular economy in construction
- Delivers consistency – reliable, specification-grade recycled products
It’s a vital part of sustainable waste management and material recovery.
What is a filter press?
A filter press separates solids from liquids in the wash plant process. It works by pumping slurry (a mix of water and fine materials) into a series of plates lined with filter cloths. The pressure forces the water through the cloths, leaving behind compacted solid cakes.
At Whitelocks, the filter press:
- Improves water recovery – up to 90% is recycled for reuse
- Reduces waste – captures fine particles for further processing
- Minimises environmental impact – less discharge, cleaner operations
- Improves efficiency – speeds up drying and handling of materials
It’s a crucial part of making our wash plant cleaner, greener, and more efficient.
Trommel & Crushers
Our wash plant setup includes a high-capacity trommel and on-site crushers, allowing us to efficiently separate, size, and process a wide range of materials. The trommel removes fines and oversized items before washing, while our crushers break down hard materials like concrete and stone into reusable aggregate. This setup maximises recovery, reduces waste, and ensures consistent, specification-grade outputs.
Value Delivered
Do you need some help?
Call us now on 01706 878 330Frequently asked Questions
Hear what they say
Exceptional standard
We have been using Whitelocks’ vac ex for over a year now and they have always provided a first class service. The team in the office are always very reactive to our demands and the vac ex operatives are very knowledgeable and approachable. We have reduced cable sites across the board to zero.
Mark Askew - Balfour Beaty
Proud to be trusted by Industry Leaders
We are proud to work with a variety of respected clients who trust Whitelocks to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality vacuum excavation services. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every project we undertake.
