A major “milestone” in Bradford Council’s waste treatment service will be reached this Thursday (21 September) as it signs a new 12-year contract for waste treatment.
The 12-year contract for waste treatment will be officially signed by representatives of the Council and its waste treatment partner Associated Waste Management.
The company was chosen as the preferred bidder for the contract following the outcome of a detailed analysis and evaluation process.
It will see Bradford’s 150,000 tonnes per year residual waste treated mainly at a newly commissioned waste treatment facility in south Leeds, which will produce additional recyclables as part of preparing the waste for export to off-site thermal treatment to generate electricity.
“The constantly increasing cost of landfill tax and the harm to the environment by landfilling wastes means that this contract will offer both a more sustainable solution, with demonstrable environmental and climate change benefits, as well as being more cost-effective.”
A significant portion of thermal treatment capacity, currently being developed by energy company SSE at their Ferrybridge facility, has been reserved for this purpose.
The proposal will provide a fully integrated solution for Bradford’s residual waste, incorporating the latest environmentally-friendly technology to recover recyclables from the waste stream and recover energy by generating electricity using the remaining waste.
Energy generated from Bradford’s residual waste will be fed in the power grid, which could be enough to power around 28,000 homes.
The process will offer a more sustainable alternative to depositing household waste in landfill sites which is expensive and harmful to the environment.
Council Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and sport, said: “We are delighted to be signing this contract with Associated Waste Management.
“This solution will secure a method of treating the residual waste from Bradford for the next 12 years with an option for a further three years.
“The process will lead to an increase in recycling rates as well as a high level of diversion from landfill.”
Steve Hartley, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director of Place said: “The constantly increasing cost of landfill tax and the harm to the environment by landfilling wastes means that this contract will offer both a more sustainable solution, with demonstrable environmental and climate change benefits, as well as being more cost-effective.”
Tim Shapcott who led the AWM bid team, along with advisors Craig Pember of Roamine Advisory, Ben Sheppard of Walker Morris and Ruth Hann of PWC said: “Signing this contract demonstrates our dedication to provide Bradford Council with a market leading solution to treating the district’s waste.
“Our purpose-built facility, designed and project managed by John Brooksbank (MD) is already delivering sustainable waste solutions. On behalf of the whole team at AWM, John is delighted to be signing the contract and continuing our relationship with Bradford.”