The authority serves a population of 90,000 from Oban in the north to the Mull of Kintyre in the south and has said that it hopes to let the contract later this month. The contract is seen as the first of its type in Scotland as the council will work in partnership with Shanks to increase recycling, reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites and improve existing facilities.
Argyll and Bute development and environment Councillor Robin Banks said: “This council has already established an excellent record for waste minimisation and recycling. Now we face a huge challenge in meeting new European standards of waste minimisation and the diversion from landfill sites of biodegradable waste. Working in partnership with Shanks will result in the council receiving government investment each year for 25 years, which will see Argyll and Bute become one of the leading Scottish councils in providing waste management facilities.
“I look forward to the council working in partnership with Shanks over the forthcoming years in developing the contract to meet Scottish Environment Protection Agency requirements and diverting increasing amounts of waste from landfill.”
Richard Lucas, Shanks’ operation director in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working with Argyll and Bute Council on this contract. We feel we have a lot to offer in terms of waste management experience and the company is keen to demonstrate that ability as soon as possible.”
Contract work
Work to be undertaken will include:
- major infrastructure improvements which will allow environmental standards to be met at seven of the council's landfill sites
- provision of composting plants to achieve waste treatment and diversion targets as required by European legislation
- basic improvements to sites on Mull, Islay and Tiree to allow for future recycling to take place in those communities
- Operation, by Shanks, of landfill sites, transfer stations and civic amenity sites on mainland Argyll and Bute, except Helensburgh
- major improvements in recycling and waste diversion
- continuing support to local environmental groups from both the Council and Shanks
- ensuring that existing bulk waste collection services and services to remove scrap cars are continued
The award of the contract, which is likely to take place at the end of July, completes a two-year process undertaken to improve existing waste management facilities in Argyll and Bute in partnership with a private company. This has been carried out as part of the development of an Area Waste Strategy for Argyll and Bute by the council and other interested parties. After a tendering exercise last year the bid from Shanks was considered the best initial solution worthy of consideration and further discussions then took place.
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