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Acumen named on Defra’s waste repatriation framework

Acumen Waste Services has won two lots on a contract with the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for the “repatriation of illegal waste”.

Acumen has worked with Defra over a number of years on the repatriation of illegal exports

The waste management company, which is owned by Beauparc, won lots covering the inspection, repatriation and recovery/disposal of waste in UK and overseas, as well as another for the transport and treatment of repatriated waste from the UK.

Acumen previously held the contract and has worked with Defra and the Environment Agency across a range of contracts and frameworks.

According to the tender document announcing the deal, the purpose of the contract is to enable the Environment Agency to meet its statutory obligations of ensuring that waste which has been illegally exported from England is returned and managed within statutory timescales.

Commenting on the award, Acumen managing director Andy Crossley commented: “Acumen is pleased to continue to provide compliant solutions to the UK regulator.

“The continued relationship has developed over several years and the whole team work hard to ensure the challenges faced with such a project are addressed professionally and safely.  Collectively we have demonstrated numerous times our ability to manage an array of complex projects for a variety of customers.  The timely award of this contract also coincides with opportunities from the wider Beauparc group in providing similar services to other customers.”

Obligations

Other companies named on the framework include Mitie Waste and Environmental Services and Pentalver Transport.

Acumen completed the repatriation of waste which was illegally shipped to Sri Lanka in 2022

The entire contract was valued at £10 million, but there is no guaranteed work or tonnage with the contract.

The Agency explained its obligations arise as soon as it is informed of an illegal export or a shipment which cannot be completed. This information is generally provided to the Agency by a third party such as the competent authority in the country to which the waste has been illegally exported or which the waste is transiting.

The regulator is responsible for ensuring repatriation requests are fulfilled in a timely manner. On the occasions the Agency is not able to secure voluntary return and recovery of illegally exported waste by those involved in the original export, the Agency may be required to intervene in the repatriation of the waste.

The purpose of the contract is to ensure that the Environment Agency is suitably readied for any repatriation eventuality as it may arise.

Acumen

Acumen was acquired by Beauparc in 2022, which represented the “first significant entry into the Specialist Waste sector” for the Beauparc group.

Acumen was previously a provider on this Lot, and has undertaken a range of expatriations, including bringing back waste from from Sri-Lanka in 2021 and 2022.

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