North Ayrshire part of landmark waste partnership
A ground-breaking agreement will transform the way thousands of tonnes of waste is recycled in North Ayrshire.
A ground-breaking agreement will transform the way thousands of tonnes of waste is recycled in North Ayrshire.
Five local authorities have reached a partnership agreement - the first of its kind in Scotland - with recycling and waste management company Viridor.
The £700 million partnership means that residual waste which was destined for landfill will now be recycled and transformed into renewable energy.
North Ayrshire Council has joined lead authority North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils, to sign a contract with Viridor following a competitive tendering process.
The contract will see around 190,000 tonnes of residual waste processed each year, with approximately 36,000 tonnes of this waste coming from North Ayrshire. It means more than 90% of the partner councils’ waste will be diverted from landfill as well as producing a Refuse Derived Fuel which can be used to generate renewable energy.
“This is an important contract in terms of the scale of waste processing and environmental benefits, but also as the first partnership between Scottish local authorities,” said Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Place.
“By working in partnership, we are delivering improved services for residents, best value for tax payers, creating new jobs and recycling more waste which would otherwise go to landfill.”
The contract will begin on 1 December 2019. Waste will be transported to Viridor’s treatment facility at Bargeddie where recyclable material will be extracted and the Refuse Derived Fuel taken to the company’s energy recovery facility in Dunbar.
Paul Ringham, Commercial Director for Viridor, said: “Viridor’s partnership will transform waste across the Clyde Valley. In addition to best value and driving a low-carbon future focussed on landfill diversion, the partnership will deliver real economic and community benefits.
“From next-generation infrastructure to jobs, supply-chain opportunities and an innovative education partnership, our team is ready for the work ahead.”
Chris Owens, Infrastructure Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons, who provided legal advice to the five local authorities during the tendering process, said: “We are delighted to have played a pivotal role in such a significant multi-authority project, adding to our market leading experience of multi-authority waste projects in Scotland and the wider UK sector.
“The project will be transformational for the partner councils, providing a reliable long-term waste treatment solution which will help them to play their part in achieving Scotland’s zero waste aspirations.”
Saeffar Rehman, Associate Director, Energy and Environment at Grant Thornton said: “This innovative and exciting new project is set to create a strong, sustainable future for the waste services sector in Scotland and we are thrilled to have been able to support the Clyde Valley Councils throughout the process.
“As the first shared services contract for Scottish councils, this project demonstrates the huge benefits that can be generated through collaborative working between councils. The contract is set to hugely increase both the efficiency and productivity of the councils’ waste processing systems, but also greatly support the local community, through the introduction of new jobs and improved services for residents.
“As part of our firm’s vibrant economy campaign we are committed to helping local councils rethink the way they operate and looking at how better collaboration and innovation in the sector can help build stronger public services for the future.”
Derek Rooney, Technical Director, SLR Consulting Ltd, said: “It is wonderful to see five Scottish Local Authorities working together to deliver the Clyde Valley Residual Waste Project.
“It has taken three years of negotiation to arrive at a solution which helps meet the ambitious environmental targets set by the Scottish Government through the diversion of 190,000 tonnes of residual waste away from landfill for additional recyclate recovery and energy production.”