Recycling, Renewable Energy, Resource Efficiency

Cheshire

Unlike much of Europe, the UK has traditionally relied heavily on landfill to manage waste. This is rapidly changing due to European, national and local policies on waste management aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated, increasing recycling and composting, recovering value and energy from waste and reducing reliance on landfill.

This includes increasing landfill tax every year by £8 per tonne, until it reaches £80 by 2014.

While recycling rates in Cheshire are good and still improving, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council is looking for a sustainable solution to treat around 200,000 tonnes of residual household waste produced in the area each year, which is left over after recyclable materials have been removed for re-use or recycling.

Viridor is one of two bidders shortlisted for the final stage of Cheshire's Household Waste PFI Contract.

Our proposals outline a resource efficient solution for residual waste that will also help deliver higher recycling levels.

This will be achieved with a new Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) waste facility on an existing industrial site in Lostock Gralam, Northwich, which will be supported by a Thermal Power Plant at Runcorn and three Waste Transfer Stations at Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield and Crewe.

Viridor anticipates between 50 and 60 new jobs will be created across the five sites.

We believe the solution offers good value for money and will bring positive social and economic benefits to the local area and region.

Cheshire West and Cheshire Council refused planning permission for the proposed MBT plant in June 2010.

Viridor have now submitted a revised planning application with a reduced capacity of 200,000 tonnes.

We continue to welcome feedback and invite you to submit your views and comments on our proposals through the Contact Us page.