St Alban’s City and District Council has decided to take-up the offer of a recycling materials sales service with Veolia as part of a new eight-year contract with the waste management firm.
And, Veolia has guaranteed minimum prices for recyclable materials for at least four years.
The materials sales work sits alongside a £40 million eight-year contract for recycling, waste and street cleansing awarded to the waste management firm. Veolia announced the award yesterday (10 March) although the council made the award earlier this year.
St Alban’s estimates that the contract will save it £300,000 a year and also save the county council £250,000 in terms of landfill costs as more material will be recycled.
Index adjustment
The contract includes for an annual adjustment in Veolia’s fee in line with any movement in the Consumer Price Index.
For Veolia the contract is seen as significant as it looks for further growth out of its London stronghold into surrounding counties, with work in Hertfordshire a particular target.
The French-owned business already runs services for Watford, North Hertfordshire and East Hertfordshire councils and is in the frame to develop energy from waste services in Hertfordshire with further news on this expected on 14 March.
In St Alban’s, Veolia takes over the collection work from Amey in June this year and is targeting an increase in the recycling rate from last year’s 52.3% to 60% after two years.
The £40 million contract will see two green box services commingled with a box for paper remaining along with the introduction of weekly, rather than fortnightly, collections of food waste. The food waste will be “transformed into garden compost”, according to Veolia.
Sustainability
Commenting on the benefits of the new contract, Councillor Daniel Chichester-Miles, St Albans portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Our overarching aims have included a commitment to environmental sustainability by looking at ways to increase the recycling rate. We are confident that the new contract will do that.
“It might take time for residents to get used to some changes to the collection system, but we are sure they will support a move that will push the recycling rate up to 60% of all rubbish collected.”
Cllr Chichester-Miles added: “There will also be education initiatives as part of the contract to increase public understanding of the environment in the years ahead. This new contract shows our commitment to providing high-quality services and promoting green lifestyles.”
Hertfordshire
Emphasing the strengthening of Veolia’s position in Hertfordshire, Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice-president, Veolia UK and Ireland, said: “This new contract further increases our presence in Hertfordshire and will deliver cost savings to the council as well as environmental benefits.
“By introducing the increased frequency food waste service, using the latest technology and working closely with residents, we are well placed to achieve the new recycling targets and replenish more precious resources.”
Under the terms of the contract, Veolia has promised to pay workers at least the ‘living wage’. And, new kerbside collections for batteries, small electrical items and textiles will be introduced.
“We are well placed to achieve the new recycling targets and replenish more precious resources.”
Estelle Brachlianoff
Veolia
Preferential rates
The council, in minutes referring to the contract, has noted that the collection contract provides for cost savings on capital assets (vehicles and bins) through using council capital funding at preferential rates.
The service will provide new 180 litre residual bins for residents while existing 240 litre bins will be reused for the collection of mixed cans, plastics and glass. The existing box for paper and card will be retained while a new kerbside caddy will be provided for the separate collection of food waste. Everything is collected fortnightly apart from food waste. Where bins are impractical, a sack and reusable bag/box collection service will be offered.
And, the contract also allows for a potential eight-year extension to the current eight year contract.
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