Councils in Cheshire have won the Government’s support for their strategy to boost recycling and convert other waste to fuel.
Awarding the county council £40M in private-finance initiative credits last week, environment minister, Ben Bradshaw, praised Cheshire for aiming higher than its statutory targets. Its ambitious strategy, supported by the county’s six district councils, aims to divert 400,000t-a-year from landfill by 2020. Recycling rates are projected to more than double to 54%, as landfill’s share drops from 74% to 17%.
The plans are based on increased kerbside collections, more household waste-recycling centres, and one or more plants to separate residual waste for further recycling and energy recovery. Cheshire’s preferred solution is based on mechanical and biological treatment of up to 300,000t, producing a refuse-derived fuel. The county was investigating potential outlets, and would prefer a third-party plant to burn the fuel for electricity or heat, said procurement manager, John Thistlewood. Cheshire had not been prescriptive, so as not to deter bidders, he explained. Interest from the industry so far was high. Documents launching the ‘competitive dialogue’ for a long-term waste-management partner will be issued in the autumn.
The county intends to shortlist early in 2008 with a view to closing a PFI deal by the end of that year. It is one of 20 authorities to benefit from £900M of cash injections under the waste PFI since 1997.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
