Decision details

Proposed decision

To agree:

(i)         to tender and award a new contract for an initial 3-year period with an option to extend for up to 2 years, for the receipt and processing of bulky waste and other waste types related to the scope of these contracts; and

(ii)        delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Waste to award and enter appropriate contractual arrangements as necessary to implement the decision.

Reason for the decision

KCC currently has in place contractual arrangements that are due to expire 30^th June 2023, and therefore is seeking new contractual arrangements for the processing and disposal of bulky waste deposited at the HWRCs and that which is collected by the Waste Collection Authorities (WCA). These are larger items of waste but also include, fly tips, marine carcasses, street cleansing and beach arisings.  The new contracts will also include some contingency in the event of the Allington EFW plant becoming unavailable for planned or unplanned shutdowns. The contract is proposed to be up to a 60-month term.

Background

As the Waste Disposal Authority, KCC has a statutory responsibility to dispose of bulky  waste deposited at Kent’s 19 Household Waste Recycling Centres and waste collected by the WCAs.

Waste Management currently operates contracts with Countrystyle Recycling Ltd and Veolia ES (UK) Ltd for the disposal of bulky waste which totals c.30,000 tonnes per annum.

The scope of the contracts includes bulky waste items which cannot be processed through the energy from waste facility Allington, marine carcasses that require specialist disposal and fly tipped waste; plus, any other ad hoc materials that are non-hazardous and unable to be disposed of at other outlets.

The waste is currently processed and transported to be used as Refuse Derived Fuel to produce power or combined heat and power either in Europe or in the UK where capacity allows.

The current Countrystyle and Veolia WTFD contracts complete on the 30^th June 2023, as such, the commissioning process is underway.

This commissioning ensures continuity of service in respect of the acceptance of these waste materials continuing at Kent’s Household Waste Recycling Centres and via the Waste Collection Authorities.

Options

1.    Do nothing – the current contracts will elapse. This is not an option as KCC as the Waste Disposal Authority has a statutory obligation to provide a waste disposal service as per the Environmental Act 1990.

2.    Discontinue accepting the bulky waste at the HWRCs and from Collection Authorities – this is not an option due to KCC’s obligation to take this material under waste legislation – Environmental Protection Act 1990.

3.    Undertake a full commissioning activity to procure a new contract - The Contracts have been extended to the limitation of the procurement procedures; therefore, a new commissioning activity is underway to secure a provider who is able to process the wastematerial using Best Available Techniques (BAT – environmental standard).

Preferred Option

Option 3 is the preferred option. The Authority is seeking to appoint a new provider or providers to secure a contract for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend for up to 2 years that will benefit and achieve the best outcomes for the Authority and Kent households and fulfil the Statutory duty of KCC operating under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to dispose of collected municipal waste.

The commission of this contract will meet KCC’s Strategy – Framing Kent’s Future 2022 – 2026 one of the four key priorities:

Environmental step change - to build on the work begun to reach KCC’s ambitious Net Zero targets, while managing climate impacts that the county is already experiencing. This includes protecting and strengthening our natural environment, working with our partners towards Kent being Net Zero by 2050, exploring options for carbon zero energy production and use, and ensuring that the county is well placed to adapt to climate change.

Continue to work with our commissioning partners to create the infrastructure and jobs that enable us to reprocess waste materials and produce energy within the county, in order to maintain a closed loop local economy.

Data Protection Implications    

There is no personal data collected or exchanged and no implications under GDPR.

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree:

(i)         to tender and award a new contract for an initial 3-year period with an option to extend for up to 2 years, for the receipt and processing of bulky waste and other waste types related to the scope of these contracts; and

(ii)        delegate authority to the Director of  Environment and Waste to award and enter appropriate contractual arrangements as necessary to implement the decision.