Delivering resource efficiency in Cheshire
Viridor, one of the leading recycling and waste management
companies in the UK, is
one of two bidders that have been shortlisted for the final stage
Cheshire's Household Waste PFI Contract.
Through the contract, Cheshire will establish how it will
address its residual waste challenge over the next 25 years. Like
all local authorities, Cheshire has to meet challenging targets to
divert large volumes of waste away from landfill in order to avoid
increasing rates of landfill tax and large potential fines (under
the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme).
Residual waste is the remaining waste that is left after
recyclable materials (recyclates) have been removed for re-use or
recycling. While recycling rates in Cheshire are good and still
improving, there will remain a quantity of household waste that
can’t be readily recycled. Viridor's proposal outlines a resource
efficient solution for residual waste to also help deliver higher
recycling levels. The solution offers good value for money and will
bring positive social and economic benefits to the local area and
the region.
Viridor is proposing to treat Cheshire's post-recycling residual
wastes through Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT), which will help
recover further recyclables and create fuel for a Thermal Power
Station operated by our partner, INEOS ChlorVinyls. This plant will
generate electricity and heat for use by an important local
industry. In this way, we aim to maximise recycling while also
seeking to create renewable energy from residual waste.