Awarded earlier this month, the contracts will run initially for one year with the option for a further two.
Combined, the contracts are worth £10.3 million over the full three years.
Under the terms of the agreement, material will be sent to the company’s newly commissioned materials recycling facility (MRF) at Copper Hill, Lincolnshire.
Previously, material was sent to Viridor’s MRF in Milton Keynes, which was sold to Biffa earlier this year. This contract was due to expire on 30 September.
A Bedford Borough council spokesperson said: “Alongside Central Bedfordshire council, we have been out to the market to procure a future comingled recycling treatment contract. We have awarded New Earth Solutions a one year contract, with the possibility of up to a two year extension. Our current contract, which is held by Viridor, will expire at the end of September 2021.”
Mid UK Recycling has been part of the Beauparc Group since it was acquired in a post-administration deal in 2019 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Working with Bedford demonstrates the adaptability and drive the Beauparc Group has
– Brian McCabe, Beauparc’s chief executive
Beauparc’s chief executive Brian McCabe said: “Working with Bedford demonstrates the adaptability and drive the Beauparc Group has to provide customers with the very best and most sustainable solutions for their waste.
“The UK infrastructure has developed significantly since 2016 and the addition of this contract further compliments our portfolio of local authority and public sector customers.”
MRF
A statement from New Earth Solutions/Mid UK said the contract “will see Mid UK provide a collection service for both councils, utilising the 50 strong Mid UK fleet to bulk haul waste from Elstow to the newly commissioned MRF at Copper Hill, Barkston”.
The company added that the Barkston MRF “is so technologically advanced it’s already changing the landscape of the industry”.
Chris Mountain, Beauparc’s renewable energy director, added: “We’re very proud of the investment at Barkston. The MRF has undergone commissioning and soon the plastic recycling facility will also be operational.
“Collectively, both systems provide our UK business profile with new solutions for managing waste and further enhance the reuse of material, boosting the local and national circular economy. The team are looking forward to working alongside Bedford to realise the benefits of this facility for the county.”
Beauparc
Beauparc entered the UK market in 2016 with the acquisition of the former New Earth Solutions business (see letsrecycle.com story) and subsequently acquired the Widnes waste management company WSR Recycling Limited (see letsrecycle.com story), which operates in the Liverpool region.
The company continued its expansion into the UK with the acquisition of Leeds-based waste management firm Associated Waste Management Ltd in 2018 and Lincolnshire-based waste business Mid UK Recycling in 2019 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Beauparc was acquired by Macquarie Asset Management in June 2021 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Interest
New Earth Solutions/Mid UK Recycling has held a long-term interest with the council’s waste.
In 2012, it was shortlisted by Central Bedfordshire council to enter the final stage of competition to secure a long-term contract to deal with the council’s future residual waste, alongside Viridor.
However, this was abandoned the following year while the council pursued other options.
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