Rugby to send materials to 8 million MRF

Due to commence in April 2009, the deal will see the council become the second West Midlands authority to be committed to sending glass, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper, cans and cartons to the facility on the outskirts of Ettington, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

The 39,000 tonnes capacity plant is being developed on the site of a former slaughterhouse by local firm Pure Recycling, which is part of the Revolve Waste Management Group, and already has a commitment to take 10,000 tonnes of material a year from Stratford-upon-Avon. The facility received planning permission in December 2007 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Councillor Heather Timms, sustainable environment portfolio holder at Rugby borough council, said: “We are delighted to be able to award this contract to a company based in Warwickshire. The Pure Recycling facility is a large piece of the recycling infrastructure jigsaw that we need.”

Collection

Rugby council is hopeful that the contract, which has the option to be extended for a further five years, will enable it to reduce the number of refuse collection vehicles on the road by adopting a commingled collection service and allow the council to reinvest the money saved into other services.

Cllr Timms said: “We were looking for a partner that can offer forward thinking ideas and one that we are able to work with for the long term. Through the competitive tendering process we have found that partner and achieved excellent value for money. The more we can recycle, the more money the Council will be able to save and re-invest in other services.”

Ettington

The 37-acre site, 20 minutes from the M40 motorway, will be sunk into a large bank to reduce its visual impact. The site has been designed with a curved profile to blend it into the surroundings, and has an extensive tree-planting scheme.

Nik Spencer, managing director of Pure Recycling said: “Rugby borough Council's decision to award this contract is fantastic news. We have worked very hard in putting together a compelling offer that reflects our unique approach to working in partnership with local authorities.”

“We are especially delighted that Rugby Borough Council is the second Warwickshire district that will be using the facility, after Stratford-on-Avon awarded us their recycling contract in December 2007.

“We are still actively seeking additional authorities' materials and hope to announce in the near future additional contracts from the local area,” he added.

The site will also host a visitor centre to allow for schools visits, and have a landscaped picnic area for both visitors and staff.