4:57pm Wednesday 29th October 2008
By Jo Winrow
Eight companies have been shortlisted to move to the next stage in a 25-year £400 million contract to manage the district’s waste.
Bradford Council, working with Calderdale Council, approached waste-disposal companies to come up with ways to tackle household rubbish from both districts from 2015.
A total of 16 firms expressed an interest in bidding for the multi-million-pound contract and this list has now been halved.
Both councils will now enter into a “competitive dialogue” with the eight companies to look in detail at their proposals. It is expected that a further shortlist of four will be drawn up around Easter next year following these discussions.
Bradford and Calderdale councils are working together to find a solution which will divert rubbish from both districts away from landfill to meet UK and European targets.
About 27 per cent of Bradford and Calderdale’s waste is currently recycled. The rest is sent to landfill.
But they need to look at alternative methods of managing and disposing of waste to avoid future fines by the Government for exceeding quotas of waste going to landfill.
The project board is looking for proposals which offer both authorities value for money and a good quality and efficient service, and which do not adversely impact on the local environment.
The solution must help increase the amount of rubbish recycled by householders to 50 per cent.
Incineration has not been ruled out. The plan could also see a plant being built in the district at one of two sites the Council has available – Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, and Royds Way, Keighley.
Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “This is a significant step forward for Bradford and Calderdale and we can now enter more detailed discussions with the companies involved to find out what they have to offer.
“We remain open-minded about what waste-treatment option we are looking for and are looking forward to hearing innovative proposals from some of the leading waste-management companies in the country.”
Councillor Graham Reason, Calderdale Council’s portfolio holder for health and social care, said: “Real progress is now being made with this scheme and I am looking forward to hearing what proposals these companies bring to the table.
“What we are looking for in this process is a solution that will be the most economically advantageous to both councils.”
The names of the eight shortlisted companies have not been released.
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