Bradford council waste contract to be signed

A 12-year contract for waste treatment is to be officially signed by representatives of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and its waste treatment partner Associated Waste Management.

The company was chosen as the preferred bidder for the contract following the outcome of an analysis and evaluation process.

It will see Bradford’s 150,000 tonnes per year residual waste treated mostly 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.

A significant portion of thermal treatment capacity has been reserved for this purpose. It is currently being developed by energy company SSE at their Ferrybridge facility.

The proposal will provide an 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 approach to depositing household waste in landfill sites which is expensive and harmful to the environment.

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, 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.”