Following a survey by letsrecycle.com into the use of fridge recycling funds, it has emerged that the council has an unusual contract with Island Waste Services, part of Biffa Waste Services. Under a long-term PFI contract agreed in 1996 Biffa had agreed to bear environmental costs brought about through changes in legislation. So, this meant that the company took on the responsibility for paying for the additional costs incurred in complying with fridge recycling and the ODS regulations. This has meant that Island Waste Services has spent almost 200,000 on fridge recycling this year.
Element of risk
Steve Boswell, operational waste manager for the council, said that the council would not be spending the 91,717 directly on fridge recycling money because “the contract is actually planned such that we take on an element of risk”. He explained that the money, which is to be handed over by DEFRA shortly, would be used by the council to support the contract and is reflected by the costs of the risk side of the contract.
A spokesman for Biffa said that the detailed contractual arrangements with the council could not be disclosed. However, he confirmed that Island Waste Services had a contract which would see it “bearing the costs of any new environmental legislation within the contract”.
A spokesman for DEFRA said that the department would be asking the authority to record the number of fridges it deals with on its annual waste survey questionnaire.
Take-back
Across the water from the Isle of Wight, Hampshire County Council is still looking at plans for a take-back trial for fridges. However, it is likely that trials could also take place in other parts of the UK and may involve other retailers as well.
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