Extended Viridor and Rochford contract to focus on ‘quality recycling’

Viridor has secured a new 18-month contract with Rochford District Council, enabling the company to continue to work residents to ‘prioritise quality and reap increased recycling rewards’, it says. An extension through to autumn 2023 is available for both parties to agree in the future.

The £1.3m contract will see the dry mixed recycling, including glass, paper, card, household plastics, including pots, tubs, trays and aluminium cans, received at Viridor’s Crayford Materials Recycling Facility.

Viridor Commercial Director Paul Ringham said Viridor was pleased to continue its relationship with Rochford District Council after more than five years of demonstrating the value of maximising opportunities to recycle and influence the onward journey of dry mixed recycling.

He said that, in addition to material received at Crayford MRF, Viridor’s specialised Rochester Polymers Recycling Facility would carry out the secondary sorting of coloured bottles, pots, tubs and trays from the plastic stream.

With the contribution of plastic feedstock into Avonmouth, Rochford residents can be proud that their efforts have made a difference in a providing a quality alternative to virgin plastic, the production of which uses 50% more energy than recycled plastic.

This would provide polymers feedstock for Viridor’s new Avonmouth Polymers Reprocessing Facility which has been designed to create recycled plastic flake and pellet for major consumer brands, helping to return more recycled plastic to the UK’s circular economy.

Viridor’s Head of Local Authority Development & Integrated Contracts (Recycling) Simon Prior said the contract renewal came into effect in November.

Mr Prior said: “Rochford District Council continues to engage with its residents about recycling and the importance of high quality, low contamination collections in a very clear and encouraging way. Viridor is keen to work with the council to continue to emphasise how the separation work families do at home makes a difference to meeting UK recycling targets and empowering the circular economy.

“With the contribution of plastic feedstock into Avonmouth, Rochford residents can be proud that their efforts have made a difference in a providing a quality alternative to virgin plastic, the production of which uses 50% more energy than recycled plastic.”

Councillor Arthur Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “As Rochford District Council is one of the top recycling authorities in the country, we are happy to renew our partnership with Viridor. Our residents and the councils waste team are committed to continuing our endeavour to reduce the districts environmental footprint with our recycling bin scheme, and with Viridor’s help, we hope to continue with this high level of service.”

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