Brent in 100m bid to boost recycling rates

The borough's new seven-year contract with Veolia Environmental Services represents a 2.1 million annual increase in the previous deal.

” We have quite demanding targets so it was recognised that we need significant investment “
– Chris White, Brent council
The contract marks an extension to the collection duties already being carried out in Brent by the UK's largest waste management company.

But, as well as waste collection, it will also see Veolia taking over recycling services for the borough's 104,000 households from ECT Recycling – in the first combined waste-and-recycling contract the borough has ever awarded.

The 14.5 million a year deal will also see Veolia responsible for street cleaning, bulky waste collections, clinical waste collections and winter maintenance.

Chris White, head of environmental management at Brent council, told letsrecycle.com today that the fact that higher costs reflected the extra duties included in the contract.

He explained: “We have quite demanding targets, we want to reach 30% recycling from 22% and bring a step change to our street cleansing, so it was recognised that we need significant investment.”

Plastic recycling

Veolia will begin working on the new contract in January, taking over the recycling services on April 1 2007, they are expected to be picking up 110,000 tonnes of street and household waste every year.

As part of the new plan, Veolia will be rolling out a plastics recycling service borough wide – a trial of the service has proven very successful, Mr White explained. Plastic will be collected alongside glass, paper, cardboard, textiles and batteries.

Veolia will also be providing recycling and waste collections to the same day, at present residents put out their waste on two separate days.

High rise flats will benefit from the contract, with additional services brought in to ensure that those residents living in multiple-occupancy buildings can recycle as much as possible.

Commenting on the contract win, Cyrille du Peloux, Veolia Environmental Services,' chief executive for UK and Northern Europe, said: “This major contract renewal and expansion will enable us to integrate our waste collection and recycling services, make a major fleet investment and continue our partnership approach with Brent Council. The decision reflects on-going service improvements and the combined efforts of or committed workforce.”

Easier

Councillor Irwin Van Colle, lead member for environment, planning and culture at Brent council, said: “The decision to agree the new contract achieves one of Brent council's main objectives.

“Recycling will become easier as plastic recycling is added to the doorstep green bin collection. This is a contract that will enhance our recycling rates. It shows Brent to be committed to investing in frontline services and improving the local environment,” he added.

Brent has maintained that it will not be introducing chipped bins.