A £96-MILLION contract has been signed with Norwich-based firm, May Gurney, to manage Bristol’s waste collection, street cleansing and winter maintenance for the next seven years.
The new contract will save about £2.5 million of council tax payers’ money each year, making it a more cost-effective service with potential to make further savings due to waste reduction.
Cabinet Councillor Gary Hopkins said: “This new contract will help us to deliver a new approach to the way we deal with waste, by giving the contractor the responsibility to find ways to reduce our waste and increase recycling rates and giving them the financial incentive to do so.
“ It also gives us more options to develop a seamless system for waste collection and disposal.”
Mr Hopkins said May Gurney had a good track record and wanted to help Bristol become one of the most sustainable cities in the UK.
The contract will help the council reach its ambitious targets set out in its waste management strategy in September 2009, including significant reductions in the amount of waste per household, improving recycling and participation levels, treating and disposing of waste locally, and the ultimate goal of zero untreated waste to landfill.
P
hilip Fellowes-Prynne, chief executive at May Gurney, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Bristol to provide a quality, efficient recycling and waste collection service to help the council to meet its ambitious recycling and financial targets.”
