WRG takes over the contract, which starts this month, from SITA and will manage 120,000 tonnes of household, commercial and industrial waste a year. The contract has an option for a six month-extension so that over the next 18 months, Southwark Council will decide on a long-term 15-20 year waste management contract.
WRG will manage Southwark's Manor Place transfer station and the civic amenity site with around 80,000 tonnes of waste taken to the transfer station and then landfilled. A further 40,000 tonnes a year will be taken to SELCHP for incineration. Recycling will also form a key part in the contract.
Christina Barros, recycling co-ordinator for Southwark, said that recycling was a key factor in the award of a new contract with the council's “Recycling Improvement Plan” showing how Southwark plans to hit its targets being published by the end of the month. The council has a current recycling rate of 3%, with targets of 10% by 2003 and 18% by 2005.
Steve Bruce-Jones, managing director of WRG's central division, said: “We are delighted to have won this contract and look forward to working in partnership with the council in helping them to provide high quality services to the people of Southwark. This is the first waste management contract WRG has won in the inner London area and reflects our determination to continue to build out business in the south east.”
Councillor Nick Dolezal, Southwark Council's cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “This is great news for the people of Southwark and we look forward to working with Waste Recycling Group.”
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