Suffolk Waste Partnership (SWP) has awarded waste management company Viridor with a four-and-a-half year contract to 'sort and market' mixed recyclable materials arising from households in the county.
The contract, which has the option to extend for a further two-year period, will see Viridor handle around 50,000 tonnes of mixed plastics, cartons, aluminium and steel cans, mixed paper and cardboard a year.
The materials collected by the seven local councils in Suffolk, will be sorted at Viridor’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich.
Councillor Andrew Nunn, Chair of SWP, said: “The partnership is pleased to announce the continuation of what has been a successful and productive 10 year association with Viridor, following a competitive tendering procedure. In this time, recycling of household waste in Suffolk has risen from eight per cent to over 50 per cent and the new arrangement will be fundamental as we strive to achieve our target of 60 per cent by 2015.
“The excellent value achieved with this arrangement highlights what local councils can achieve working together, for the overall benefit of the Suffolk Council Tax payer.”
Graham Warren, Viridor’s Regional Director, added: “We are pleased to be able to continue working with the local councils in Suffolk with a true partnership approach at heart. Over the years, Viridor has helped the local councils in Suffolk achieve some of the highest recycling rates in the country and we look forward to continuing working with them in delivering efficient and cost-effective services to people in in the county.”
The new contract will also see Waveney District Council deliver materials to Viridor’s facility in Suffolk.
SWP includes all local councils in Suffolk: Babergh District Council, Forest Heath District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid-Suffolk District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council, and Waveney District Council.
Read more about Suffolk Waste Partnership.
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