The High Wycombe-based firm has managed recycling and refuse collection services on behalf of the Merseyside borough since taking over the contract from Veolia in 2006. The extended deal, which takes effect from 2017 runs to 2027.
Biffa is to invest in a new fleet of vehicles to service the contract as it seeks to collect a wider range of materials from householders including food waste. The fleet will use in-cab technology to record collections.
The contractor is aiming to improve the borough’s collection rate from the 37.4% combined composting and dry recycling rate recorded in 2013/14, which saw the council rank 228th out of 327 local authorities for recycling.
Other new features to the contract, which Biffa claims will save the local authority around £1 million per-year over the next 13 years, will include 360o camera systems on garden waste collection vehicles for recording the street scene around collections.
Commenting on the announcement, Biffa Municipal managing director Roger Edwards, said: “Negotiating this extension took considerable time and effort from both the Council and Biffa, as there was so much at stake. As a result, Wirral Council and its residents will save nearly £1 in every £10 for their waste service. That’s a substantial amount during this time of austerity measures and squeezed budgets, factors that have demanded decisive action.
“We know that this saving is both welcomed and vital for Wirral Council to continue delivering effective, efficient services that actively aim to cut waste by improving local recycling.”
Collection
Biffa currently operates a three-bin system for waste and recyclables on behalf of Wirral council, with recyclables collected commingled in grey wheeled bins, a brown bin for garden waste and green bins for residual material on a fortnightly rotation.
Councillor Bernie Mooney, Wirral’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, added: “The council has unprecedented financial reductions to make over the next three years and Biffa has a proven track record of working with us to realise challenging savings in waste collection and street cleansing, with no effect on frontline services.
“Extending the contract with the existing provider will guarantee revenue savings over the next three years and avoid future procurement costs of up to £250,000.”
In August 2013, Biffa launched a safety campaign, with the backing of Wirral council, aiming to raise awareness over the dangers faced by collection crews when drivers attempt to avoid waste vehicles (see letsrecycle.com story).
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