The 10-year contract, which has an estimated value of 80 million excluding inflation, is to begin on April 1, 2005, but there is a possibility that more than one company will be announced as the successful party.
” This contract is a chance for us to show that North Yorkshire is doing something a little bit different. “
– Tony Norris, head of waste operations for North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire county council has said that it wants to come up with the best system for its waste services, and that this may be achieved by using several different companies carrying out disposal activities for municipal waste.
Tony Norris, head of waste operations for North Yorkshire, told letsrecycle.com: “This is very flexible way to arrange a contract, it means we can work outs what is best for us. If there is a landfill site that has less than 10 years left but is cheap, we can arrange a contract with them and another contract that will cover us once the site is full.
“Similarly if there is a facility that is not yet ready, we will be able to sign a contract with them for the future, and a separate contract which will cover us until that site is ready,” he added.
Late start
The council has said that the multi-contract period will be for 10 years, starting at the beginning of April 2005, although some of the work may not begin until a later date. The county generates about 320,000 tonnes of waste each year from just under 250,000 households.
Between six and eight companies were invited to tender for the contract and there is a possibility that all the companies could still be involved when the contract comes to be awarded.
The contract includes the management of the county's 16 household waste recycling centres, which North Yorkshire wants to reach a recycling rate of 50%, and the provision of facilities in areas of the county where there are currently no recycling sites.
Stretched target
North Yorkshire has a statutory recycling target of 21% of household waste recycled in 2005/06, but is pushing for a 23.1% rate in that year, which would provide financial reward in the form of a Local Public Service Agreement.
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Mr Norris said: “This contract is a chance for us to show that North Yorkshire is doing something a little bit different. We are the guinea pig for this, but if it goes well I am sure we will have lots of other councils coming after us.”
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