Beginning in 2004, the 25-year disposal contract would involve Viridor aiming to reach a 45% household waste recycling rate for the county by 2015.
The government has provided Private Finance Initiative credits amounting to 25m for the contract, which will mainly go towards infrastructure costs. This will include a new materials recycling facility to replace the existing plant at Sompting, which is to close by the end of 2006.
The deal would also see Viridor running the county's 11 civic amenity sites and recycling centres as well as proposed new facilities. The company would be responsible for processing 70% of the county's household green waste, but any contract will not include collections.
Announcing the county council's decision, waste portfolio holder Lionel Barnard said: “We can now sit down and negotiate the final details and a timetable for the various improvements and new schemes. The new and improved facilities this will bring about shows people that we are determined to reach an ambitious recycling rate by 2015 and, if at all possible, exceed it.”
Viridor will now start detailed discussions with the seven district and borough councils in the county to finalise a contract. The leaders of the councils of Adur, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and Worthing signed a memorandum of understanding with the county council earlier this year, which committed them to supporting a contract with the private sector.
Mike Hellings, Viridor's managing director said: “We are delighted to be selected as the preferred bidder on this innovative PFI contract. We look forward to working in partnership with West Sussex county council, the districts and boroughs and, of course, the residents of West Sussex, in delivering high recycling performance and encouraging waste minimisation over forthcoming years.”
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