SITA signs landmark council SRF deal

The seven-year contract, which could be extended for a further five years, increasing its value to up to 89 million, will see waste continue to be moved to SITAs landfill site in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire until 2015, when it will be sent to SITAs new solid fuel recovery facility in Rugby.

Once there, the waste will be converted into a solid recovered fuel (SRF) for use by cement manufacturer CEMEX to power its Rugby cement kilns under SITAs 25-year partnership to supply the firm with 250,000 tonnes of a waste derived fuel – known as Climafuel – agreed in April 2012 (see letsrecycle story).

The first of the two recycling plants built specially to produce SRF for CEMEX is now in operation at Birmingham, with the Rugby facility, capable of processing over 200,000 tonnes of waste a year, due to follow in 2014 (see letsrecycle story).

Chief executive of SITA UK David Palmer-Jones heralded the Northamptonshire contract as a landmark decision that would support the UKs growing energy-from-waste industry.

Partnership

Mr Palmer-Jones said: We are delighted to be working with Northamptonshire in what is a milestone agreement to turn the concept of a circular economy into a practical reality taking household waste out of landfill and reusing it as a fuel to support Britains industrial output.

“SITA UK is helping manufacturers to close the loop in ensuring that refuse does not go to waste but instead becomes an energy opportunity.

Milestone

Northamptonshire county council portfolio holder for Transport, Highways and Environment Cllr Michael Clarke added: This is a landmark project for the county council as it shows that were taking positive steps to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste which is landfilled by using innovative solutions.

The county council isnt investing in new facilities, but making full use of the facilities that the waste management industry offers. This is a greener outlook for Northamptonshires waste.

SITA has provided Northamptonshire county council with waste management services for more than 20 years. The company is now able to capture third party waste in order to expand its collection and treatment business in the region.