The seven-year contract covers the assessment of different options to increase recycling in the borough as well as the introduction of schemes which will help Rushmoor hit its recycling targets of 16% by 2003/4 and 24% by 2005/6. This could include the start of a fortnightly kerbside collection of mixed dry recyclables and a green waste service. Serviceteam will take over the contract from SITA in April 2002.
The appointment follows a competitive tendering process which was assisted by Robert Long Consultancy. Len Attrill, of the consultants, said: “There has been some criticism of procurement skills within local authorities, but this looks to be a very promising arrangement and we are delighted to have been involved in this project.”
The increase in contract cost is around 5% and the new contract includes a more reliable refuse collection as well as higher street cleaningm specifications. This is in contrast to the situation in other councils in Hampshire where re-tendering in Basingstoke & Deane, East Hampshire and Winchester saw substantial cost increases of up to 20%.
John Edwards, Rushmoor’s director of environmental services, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of the tender exercise and believe we have secured a deal representing value for money for the residents of Rushmoor. A lot of people thought that we would have to pay a lot more for this standard of service, but we appear to have confounded the critics.”
Serviceteam said that it was “delighted” with the contract and was looking forward to working with the council and delivering improved services for residents of the Borough.
A spokesman for Serviceteam said: “We would like to take this opportunity to welcome the existing workforce who will now have a long-term, secure future as a result of the new partnership.”
Glass jars
Rushmoor in partnership with supermarket chain Safeway is also targeting glass food containers in a bid to increase its recycling rate.
Research has shown that more than half of the glass bottles and jars that are disposed of in Hampshire end up in landfill. While 20,000 tonnes of glass bottles and jars get recycled in Hampshire, 24,000 tonnes are still being thrown away.
Rushmoor Borough Council as part of Project Integra, Hampshire’s waste management partnership, has now entered into a three-month campaign with Safeway to encourage more people to recycle their glass bottles and jars at bottle banks.
Nicola Ellen, environmental manager for Safeway Stores, said: “Safeway is very pleased to support Project Integra. Safeway places environmental concerns at the forefront of their initiatives and any project that increases the public’s awareness of the importance of recycling is worthy of our support.”
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