Aylesford signs 15-year deal to take Gloucester paper

The company agreed the deal with Accord plc, under the waste firm's 80 million refuse-and-recycling contract with Gloucester city council (see letsrecycle.com story).

Paper deal: (left to right) Dave Smith and Catherine Phelps of Accord with Karen Newell of Aylesford Newsprint and Terry Penhaligon of Accord celebrate the 15-year deal

As Accord bids to meet a 50% recycling rate target by 2008/09 in Gloucester, the company will collect source-separated newspapers and magazines from 52,000 homes.

The deal is anticipated to supply Aylesford with about 5,000 tonnes of recovered fibre each year.

Richard West, commercial director for Accord, said: “We have worked with Aylesford in the past and our partnerships have always been successful. Aylesford offered the best combination of environmental and value of money benefits for Gloucester.”

Under the agreement with Aylesford, the paper reprocessor is providing a guaranteed minimum price for the collected paper – as well as a continuous outlet for the material collected.

Separate
Accord will be using a three-compartment collection vehicle to keep collected paper separate from the other materials, with a second compartment for collected glass and a third compartment for cans.

“Aylesford’s commitment to source segregation directly reflects our own approach to recycling,” Mr West said. “Paper is the only material that will ensure a guaranteed price, revenue stream and market. It is also the largest component in the waste stream and so it was significant that we obtain the best possible contract for this resource.”

The Accord commercial director added that future plans for the Gloucester contract included rolling out an alternate week refuse-and-recycling collection service. “We know that this works – and it will be an important factor in achieving our 50% recycling target,” he said.

Karen Newell, Aylesford Newsprint area manager, said there had been many factors to consider while drawing up the contract with Accord. She said: “Although local authorities and waste management companies are all trying to achieve the same goal of maximum diversion, they have different resources and key considerations.

“We have to listen to their wishes and fit them around our own manufacturing needs. Working together and really understanding what is needed is the only way to achieve a successful outcome,” Ms Newell added.