A report which will go before the council’s planning committee later today recommends the council approve plans for the MRF to enable the council to “take control over the management of the region’s recyclable materials”.
According to the report, this would also “ensure a more sustainable long-term approach to waste management in the region”.
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services, said: “This facility looks set to be really impressive and in the short term it’s going to help us make sure our waste and recycling service is as efficient as it can be. In the long term, it’s going to enable us to raise our recycling rates.
“Our aim to ensure Coventry is a cleaner, greener city, and this facility will help us match that aim. It will give us the opportunity to make the recycling process more efficient and environmentally friendly.”
In-house sorting
The MRF would see Coventry city council, Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council, North Warwickshire borough council, Rugby borough council, Solihull metropolitan borough council and Walsall council bring their sorting of recyclable waste in-house, in response to ‘rising’ private sector costs for sorting (see letsrecycle.com story).
It could also serve local businesses and other local authorities, Coventry city council says.
Coventry says it spends £1.6 million a year on its current sorting contract with Biffa and claims the facility would save it around £847,000 per year.
AssetCo
The MRF will be owned by AssetCo, a company set up by the seven member councils and in which each will have a stake.
“By opening this facility and taking greater control over the process, we can cut significant costs”
Once the MRF is built, AssetCo will enter into agreements with member councils to sort its material, with the aim of saving on sorting costs.
A tender document for the contractor to build the £34.45 million is currently underway.
Proposals for the facility received unanimous approval from Coventry in September 2019 (see letsrecycle.com story) and received the approval of several partner councils later that month.
Cllr Hetherton added: “We know that the waste industry is incredibly unpredictable, with it being subject to changes in national policy as well as the usual economic forces. That has meant we have ended up paying more and more each year to private companies. By opening this facility and taking greater control over the process, we can cut significant costs.
“This isn’t just a short-term investment, it’s a long-term investment to ensure a greener future for our city.”
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