The two councils – which are working together to develop the 30,000 tonnes capacity Tomorrow's Valley (Cwm Yfory) project – announced the shortlist following a participant's day to discuss the procurement process at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfill.
I think I should highlight that this is the biggest contract our two councils have entered into, and we are expecting a high quality, imaginative response
Keith Griffiths, Rhondda Cynon Taf council
The six companies are: Biffa Waste Services, Shanks Waste Management, the recently merged anaerobic digestion technology company Biogengreenfinch (see letsrecycle.com story), food waste composting company Bioganix, composting technology firm TEG and the Waste Recycling Group (WRG).
The facility, which is intended to treat municipal food and residual waste, is expected to include either an anaerobic digestion or in-vessel composting facility, however, both councils have explained that they are willing to listen to alternatives suggested by the successful tender.
Keith Griffiths, chief executive of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said: “The fundamental aim is to move both our councils further down the road to identifying the partners and best solution for the treatment of our residual and food waste.”
“I think I should highlight that this is the biggest contract our two councils have entered into, and we are expecting a high quality, imaginative response,” he added.
Proposals to develop a food and residual waste treatment facility at a location earmarked for a site at Bryn Pica were first announced in September (see letsrecycle.com story), and the site is already taking recyclable material for sorting and bulking, with garden waste also being composted before the materials are sent onto various reprocessors and allotment and land reclamation schemes.
Facility
Development of the facility comes in the wake of the announcement that Wales achieved a 32.2% household recycling and composting rate in 2007/08 (see letsrecycle.com story), and Welsh Assembly environment minister Jane Davidson revealed that food waste would continue to be an area of focus having issued £15 million to fund separate food waste collections in April (see letsrecycle.com story).
Cllr Paul Canon, cabinet member for economic development and housing at Rhondda Cynon Taf council said: “We all recognise that we need to change the way we deal with waste – protecting the environment and human health by producing less waste and using it as a resource wherever possible.
“In particular, this means recycling more and reducing our reliance on landfill. This we recognise requires a major change in waste management including significant new investment in waste plant hence the development of this procurement,” he added.
Joint
Members of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil borough councils said that Government advice to work together to meet waste reduction targets had played a major part in the plans for the facility to be developed jointly by the two local authorities.
Councillor Tony Rogers, cabinet member for customer services at Merthyr Tydfil said: “We aim to provide a sustainable alternative to the historic practice of landfilling. The Welsh Assembly Government has been strongly urging local Councils to work together to meet their long term waste management needs.”
“And, this partnership offers an excellent opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of waste and provides best value for residents through joint procurement and operational scale,” he added.
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