The council hopes that a more convenient centre will both increase recycling and reduce fly tipping.
Waste operations coordinator Jason Jones said: “The people of Highbridge and Burnham have been requesting a recycling centre for years and I am delighted to say they are now going to get one.”
Tender
Somerset renewed its contract with Wyvern Waste Services, an arm’s-length operation, in February to run its household waste recycling centres (see letsrecycle.com story). However, it is understood that the 20m deal does not to include new infrastructure, and Wyvern will have to bid to operate the Highbridge and Burnham site. The facility’s design and building work will also go out to tender.
Meanwhile, Wyvern has announced major improvements for the household recycling centre that it runs at Wellington, near Poole in neighbouring Dorset. Less than 30% of waste brought to the site is recycled and Wyvern wants to boost this to 56% but is constrained by the site’s layout.
Managing director Andrew Olie said: “These improvements are not designed to help us take more waste on the site; they are to provide greater segregation of waste.”
The contractor also plans a clamp down on those on who dump trade waste illegally at the site. It will employ roving security guards to inspect waste deliveries.
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