The disposal company, which is owned by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, held the previous contract to run the region's recycling sites, and also disposes of waste collected by local councils. Under the new five-year contract, it must deliver recycling targets of 35% in the first year and 45% in the third year.
Jobs
The contract covers all management and operational responsibilities for all 13 sites in Merseyside and will create 25 new jobs. It will also see the sites “revamped” with colour-coded signs and awareness-raising “recycl-o-metres” at each sites which will gauge how close residents are getting to recycling targets.
In addition, staff will help the public separate their waste correctly. Mersey Waste Holdings aims to give all sites the facilities to collect most recyclables by January 2004.
Chairman of MWDA, John Fletcher, said: “The UK is the poor relation of Europe when it comes to recycling but with stiff EU targets and fines coming to force that is going to have to change. By gearing up all our household waste sites, we're making it even easier for people to go green.”
Signage
Managing director of Mersey Waste Holdings Rob Allan said: “The sites overall will look much better, with new signage, improved lay-out and more staff on hand to help.
The Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority was established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside county council. Its five member councils include Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.
In 2001-02, about 670,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste was managed by the authority, of which about 6% was recycled. The authority must recycle 10% by the end of this year and 18% by 2005.
The Authority is currently working on a long-term, 25-year strategy for the period after 2008, which should be completed in 2004. It is currently considering letting an integrated contract in 2005.
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