A winning strategy on waste

The problem

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority is England’s largest, handling 1.2 million tonnes of municipal waste a year.

However, recycling strategies were controlled by the conurbation’s councils, lacked a joint approach to recycling and were unsustainable in the face of rising landfill tax demands.

What was achieved?

GMWDA developed an integrated approach, with mechanical rather than manual sorting. It signed a 25-year private finance initiative contract with Viridor Laing using technologies proven elsewhere in Europe but which had not previously been used in the UK on a sub-regional scale.

Under the contract, £631m is being invested in recycling and waste management plants and at least half of all waste will be recycled or composted by 2015.

How it was done

Successful recycling depends on public co-operation. David Taylor, director of contracting services, explains: “We consulted every household and they told us they wanted a solution based on recycling and composting and recovery of the maximum value from waste. The results helped to shape our strategy for the contract.”

People might want recycling, but the contract meant the authority needed planning consent for 23 waste management facilities, some near to homes. “For that we carried out a detailed consultation, with ward councillors, open public discussions and exhibitions,” Mr Taylor says.

“None of the applications were for incinerators but for any application to put a waste facility on someone’s doorstep you might expect an adverse reaction.

“We have used new techniques and technologies such as acoustic fencing and odour control, which keeps smells inside,” he says.

Site liaison groups meet quarterly, so if there is an issue, people feel they have a direct line to the operator, he adds.

• For further information contact david.taylor@gmwda.gov.uk