Effective from 1 April, staff employed by Veolia under the previous contract — which ended on 31 March — have been transferred to the council.
Conservative-controlled Essex said the move will give the council “flexibility to adapt to future requirements”.
The local authority will now control 21 HWRCs across Essex.
The council said the during discussions with Veolia in 2019 to renew the contract first signed in 2013, it became clear costs would increase by around 30% and there were “few private companies” willing to take a “risk” on the contract.
When first announcing the move in 2020, the council said it would save £1.7 million by bringing the services in house (see letsrecycle.com story).
Operations
Recycling centres and waste transfer stations will continue operating as normal, the council said, but residents may notice updates to signage at sites as well as new uniforms for staff.
The council has procured a string of contractors to provide waste haulage services, plant and equipment, material marketing services and other ‘ancillary’ services to meet the operational needs of the HWRCs and waste transfer stations.
This includes a four-year deal with Waste-A-Way Recycling, which came into effect on Friday (1 April), where the Essex-based haulier will be servicing the council’s five waste transfer stations and moving c.330,000 tonnes each year.
In the 2020/21 financial year, Essex county council recorded a recycling rate of 49.8%, down from 53.5% in 2019/2020.
Veolia will remain in charge of landfills in the area taking council waste, and a MRF.
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