New Waste Contract - Leigh-on-Sea

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NON-recyclable waste produced by local residents is now being turned into energy

NON-recyclable waste produced by local residents is now being turned into energy, after the City signed a contract with waste disposal firm SUEZ that will dramatically reduce their Council’s carbon footprint.

Suez will use innovative technology to convert residents’ waste, which cannot be reused or recycled, into energy at their facility.

This contract, which is for five years with the possibility to extend, is said to provide a cost saving of around £2m over its lifetime, and is separate from the current contract with the council’s waste collection, recycling and street cleansing partner, Veolia.

Coun Paul Collins, cabinet member for asset management and inward investment, said: “Energy from waste is a much more environmental and efficient alternative to landfill, which produces energy for the national grid, and the on-site recycling facility uses the leftover ash to make secondary aggregate products for road building and construction.

“Along with this, the new contract provides a big cost saving too, which is vital as we grapple with our own financial challenge and support our communities with the cost-of-living crisis.

“Council officers will now work closely with SUEZ over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.

“This change in the end destination of our waste will not affect resident’s collections, and residents should put out their pink recycling sacks, paper and cardboard box, food waste bin and black sacks on their usual collection day.”

Coun Collins stressed that whilst this contract applies to non-recyclable waste, residents should continue to recycle at every opportunity.

He added: “We need residents to continue to use the full range of recycling services available to them at the kerbside and at our Household Waste Recycling Centres.”

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