Cardiff Council yesterday (1 November) announced a shortlist of companies selected to develop proposals for a 15-year organic waste treatment project, aimed at helping them to reach their target of 70 per cent recycling by 2025.
The four companies remaining in the bidding process are Agrivert Limited, GENeco, Kelda Biogen Renewables Cymru and Shanks Waste Management Ltd.
Though the council’s preferred stance on organic waste treatment is Anaerobic Digestion, in the interest of competition and securing value for money it has opted to approach the procurement on a technology neutral basis. It will consider any alternative technology that meets the requirements of local authorities, including in vessel composting (IVC) and open windrow composting.
One option for bidders to consider is a site at Lamby Way, already owned by Cardiff Council, which has planning permission for a 50,000 tonne per annum IVC facility.
Commenting on the scheme, Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Ashley Govier, said: "The development of the organic waste treatment facilities will ensure we continue to develop solutions that make best use of the waste we all produce whilst securing a financial benefit for the residents of Cardiff."
The scheme, described as a ‘landmark project for Cardiff’, will allow Cardiff Council to divert more waste away from landfill, whilst generating energy, producing compost and making organic fertiliser for the agricultural sector.
The project will be undertaken in collaboration with the Vale of Glamorgan, with both councils providing kerbside, source separated and green waste collections.
Cabinet Member for environment and visible services, Cllr Rob Curtis, said: "This procurement will allow us to treat our organic waste in accordance with our governments' preferred technology, by using the most sustainable, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to treat all our food waste."
Cllr Govier added, "I'm delighted the Vale of Glamorgan has joined this project, we are always stronger working in partnership and their involvement can only enhance this process.”
It is expected that the procurement will be completed by early 2014, with sites becoming operational by 2016.
Read more about the organic waste treatment project
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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