Background:
There is no single waste food processing plant within Kent for domestic food collected by the Waste Collection Authorities. Whilst waste food is collected as a single stream it is either hauled to Basingstoke for processing or mixed with garden waste to produce compost at a plant near Kings Hill.
This is commercially expensive with a poor environmental outcome. There is a significant commissioning opportunity for Waste Management as a food waste processing plant is under construction in Kent; this is an Anaerobic Digester that has the capacity to accept and process all food waste collected in the County.
The current food contract expires in April 2020 and the plant will be completed within this timeframe. This plant will eventually cater for all the County’s food waste collected from kerbside over a phased approach with initially Mid Kent and South West Kent food being accepted upon service commencement, with East Kent food following in January 2021 when KCC takes title of the material.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 03/09/2019
Decision due: Not before 2nd Oct 2019 by Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Lead director: Simon Jones
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: David Beaver, Head of Waste Management and Business Services 03000 411620 Email: david.beaver@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 10 October 2019.
Financial implications: This is a revenue-based expenditure contract that will realise savings to the Authority over a number of years. There is no capital outlay required. The savings are substantial against the 20/21 budget of £1.62m – a net budget once all existing contracts are expired will be £543k. After year five and in year six, the contracted gate fee will be dropped by a further £5 per tonne. New Category in the Budget Line = Waste Processing – Recycling & Composting – Anaerobic Digestion – P-7WD-61091-523-000-0000-00.