Procurement of the contract has been bogged down by opposition to initial incinerator proposals, but the process is finally back on track now after the council dropped plans to burn locally the fuel made from the household waste left over after recycling (see letsrecycle.com story).
” Delays could have severe repercussions on the Council in terms of lost funding and financial penalties.“
– Chris Cox, WRG
The council's executive board agreed on Tuesday to start immediate talks with preferred bidders WRG to develop the final plan for new waste recycling and recovery facilities.
WRG, which is also working with waste firm HLC on the contract as lead partner in HLC Wrexham Ltd, yesterday confirmed that the new proposals “do not feature any form of on-site incineration”.
Initial discussions will focus on technical proposals for a network of new waste treatment and recycling facilities, service delivery arrangements, and legal and financial issues.
Technology
The company said it will use “proven technology”, and the emphasis of the project would be on recovery, recycling and composting. The project will still include the production of a fuel made from residual waste, which will replace the use of fossil fuels in industrial combustion processes. But the company is to export this refuse-derived fuel outside the local area.
If Wrexham does not get its contract up and running soon, it risks losing out on 29 of PFI credits pledged by the government in 1997. Further delays in agreeing the contract would also mean penalties from the council missing landfill diversion targets set by the government.
WRG commercial director Chris Cox said: “There's a great deal at stake for the area and it's vital that we work together effectively and bring this project to a successful conclusion. Delays could have severe repercussions on the Council in terms of lost funding and financial penalties.”
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WRG said residents and local businesses in the community would be kept informed about progress on the new developments. Mr Cox said: “It's important that residents have a sense of ownership of these developments, since the success of the project will ultimately depend on their full participation in collection and recycling initiatives.
He continued: “One of our priorities will be to ensure that our approach, and the technology that underpins it, is fully explained to stakeholders and the public at large, and that all parties are kept informed of progress.”
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