The move to extend the contract comes after the end of an ‘interim’ deal, which Kirklees council and Suez agreed to in 2022 to take effect from 2023. At the time, the local authority took this step as a result of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation being postponed (see letsrecycle.com story).
Suez outlined that the contract, first signed in 1998, covers the handling of approximately 190,000 tonnes of household waste annually. As part of the contract, the company also operates ten facilities across Kirklees, including an energy-from-waste (EfW) facility, a materials recovery facility (MRF), four household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and two waste transfer stations.
Until last year, Suez managed a fifth HWRC as part of its contract with Kirklees council. However, the local authority decided to close the centre last year as part of its budget-saving proposals for 2024/2025. The council then reasoned that the investment of £7 million required to bring the site up to modern day standards is “unaffordable” (see letsrecycle.com story).
“Strong foundation”
Suez said that this week’s contract extension aims to provide a “strong foundation” to embrace upcoming changes in waste and recycling legislation, which includes the Simpler Recycling reforms and EPR for packaging. The renewed agreement plans to support the council’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038 as well as its target of zero waste to landfill.
The company also outlined that plans are in motion to develop the Huddersfield District Energy Network (HDEN), which aims to use low-carbon heat generated from the EfW facility to warm buildings in the town centre.
Victoria Crabtree, regional manager at SUEZ, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with Kirklees Council until 2028. This has been an innovative contract that has evolved significantly over the last 30 years. We’re proud to continue supporting the borough’s environmental ambitions.”
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