FCC Environment to pick up Cheshire waste contract

CHESHIRE West and Chester Council’s Executive is expected to appoint FCC Environment (UK) as the preferred bidder to handle the authority’s non-recyclable waste.

Under an eight-year contract, starting in April, the waste will be used to generate electricity at an energy-from-waste facility under construction in Ferrybridge,

The county said 59% of rubbish is currently recycled.

Members of the Council’s Executive will be asked to formally endorse the recommendation when they meet on November 6. 

Councillor Lynn Riley, executive member for localities, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council has continued to invest in waste reduction, reuse and recycling – seeing the amount of non-recyclable waste it sends to landfill steadily decrease from 95,500 tonnes in 2009-10 to 67,200 tonnes in 2012-13.

“Sending waste to landfill generates significant greenhouse gas and diverting our waste to create energy will see a massive carbon emission reduction equivalent to around 13,600 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to current arrangements. Under the new contract we as an authority only pay for the waste we deliver, we would not have to provide a minimum annual tonnage. This continues to incentivise us all to continue to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.”

FCC Environment is part of the Spanish FCC group which is listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange. The value of the contract was not disclosed by the council.