The ceremony follows a vote by councillors to award the contract to the waste firm last month prior to the end of the authority’s 18-year arrangement with Biffa subsidiary Island Waste Services.
With the procurement now complete, final preparations are taking place ahead of Amey running collection services on the island from November 1 2015.
In August, the council confirmed that Amey would be retaining current alternate weekly collections of refuse and recycling.
However, the firm will be rolling out new wheeled bins to householders for residual waste disposal in place of black bags which are currently left outside properties and can be ripped open by animals such as birds (see letsrecycle.com story).
Properties that are not suitable for bins will be provided with a large reusable ‘seagull-proof’ sack similar to those already used in other areas of the UK.
The new bins and sacks will be rolled out from spring 2016.
Signing
Councillor Luisa Hillard, executive member for sustainability, welcomed the contract signing and told residents “not to worry” about the upcoming changes.
She said: “The signing of this contract is the culmination of four years of hard work by officers and I share their optimism that this will be a positive, 25 year legacy for the Island.
“I know that some residents have been worried about what the changes might be, but for now keep putting out your black bags, recycling and food caddies just like normal.”
Amey’s managing director for local government, Nick Gregg, added: “We are looking forward to building a long-term partnership with the council and Islanders. Our team on the Island will be aiming to deliver waste and environmental services which meet the needs of residents, businesses and tourists, as well as provide value for money for the council.
“The Isle of Wight is a unique environment and we will be helping to keep it that way through improved waste collections and investment in proposed new treatment facilities.”
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