Bang Goes The Theory, featuring Sims' Newport WEEE recycling plant

The programme will focus on how to extract precious metals and plastics from WEEE - the world’s fastest growing waste stream - in order that they can be re-used in manufacturing new products.

Sims’ Myles Pilkington, who hosted filming at the site said: “The film crew were particularly interested in how we can use the varying properties of materials to separate and refine them into specific metals and plastics.  Having seen other episodes of the show, I am looking forward to seeing the electronic recycling process explained in a way that is interesting and easy to understand.

“Bang Goes The Theory, is a great scientific, educational, yet fun programme.  For us, it presented a great opportunity to explain to a wide audience, not only what happens to WEEE when it is recycled, but also why WEEE recycling – or Urban Mining as it is often called – is important.  Hopefully, in addition to learning about the recycling process, viewers will take away the message that if we are to sustainably preserve the world’s finite resources, WEEE should always be taken for recycling rather than being thrown out in wheelie bins.”    

Bang Goes The Theory, featuring Newport WEEE Plant will be broadcast on Monday 22 August at 7.30pm on BBC1.