Councillors in Kendal decided yesterday to put Shanks in the driving seat to use mechanical biological treatment (MBT) to divert residual waste away from landfill.
” We have taken our most important step yet towards finding a long term, sustainable solution to the waste disposal issues in the county “
– Cllr Jack Richardson, Cumbria CC
MBT involves a combination of physical separation processes and biological composting or digestion to recover materials and energy from mixed waste left over once recycling has taken place.
Shanks, which is already building MBT plants in East London and in Dumfries, won preferred status ahead of an incineration proposal put forward by Waste Recycling Group.
WRG will be invited to remain as reserve bidder for the contract, in case negotiations break down with Shanks.
The county council said it will now begin talks with its new preferred bidder concerning the scale of facilities needed to treat Cumbria's annual 340,000 tonnes of municipal waste arisings. The contract – which is not part of the PFI scheme – is scheduled to begin in 2007.
Cumbria Waste Management
The two parties will also discuss the role of Cumbria Waste Management, the county council-owned waste company that could be acquired by Shanks, or used as a sub-contractor.
Cllr Jack Richardson, cabinet spokesman on waste management, said: “This is a very important day for Cumbria. We have made a good decision that shows real progressive thinking. We will now work with Shanks to refine their proposals and develop the role of Cumbria Waste Management.
“With this decision we have taken our most important step yet towards finding a long term, sustainable solution to the waste disposal issues in the county.
“In the meantime we must all redouble our efforts to help get Cumbria's recycling rates up to at least 50%, as that is still a key part of the plan,” Cllr Richardson added.
“Advantages”
Shanks Group, which last week announced a 10% increase in turnover to 247m in the six months up to September 2006, said Cumbria's decision underlined the “clear advantages” of MBT as a treatment technology.
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Group chief executive Michael Averill said: “We are naturally delighted with the appointment and look forward to working with Cumbria county council to bring the project to financial close in a timely manner and to deliver the step change in waste management services required to reduce the council’s reliance on landfill.
“Cumbria county council’s decision underlines the clear advantages of the proprietary MBT technology which provides a highly attractive, cost effective solution and is deliverable in the planning arena,” Mr Averill added.
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