The contract, which started on January 17 and runs until 2034, will see Veolia look to achieve a 70 per cent recycling rate at the city HRCs by the end of the contract.
Veolia is committed to upgrading the existing HRCs at King’s Norton and Castle Bromwich, while the site at Perry Barr is due to open on January 31 following a major refurbishment.
It will also mean the existing Tyseley ERF will have its lifespan increased by another 10 years, giving Birmingham City Council, which is the largest unitary authority in Europe, more time to find long-term solutions to its waste strategy. The ERF provides energy for the National Grid to power up to 63,000 homes a year.
Veolia, the UK’s leading sustainable resource company, has previously won contracts to manage the processing of the city’s Dry Mixed Recycling and its Green Recycling.
Gavin Graveson, Senior Executive Vice-President at Veolia, said: “We are delighted to continue working with Birmingham City Council and to carry on providing a first-class service to the residents to find solutions to the materials they discard every day, whether that is recycling them into new products or generating secure electricity supplies for the National Grid.
“We look forward to sharing our extensive experience for a sustainable future as we support the city to achieve net zero by 2030. We have some key projects planned for the new contract which will enable Birmingham residents to join Veolia and Birmingham City Council on the journey towards Ecological Transformation.”
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “As a council and city we are determined to achieve our net zero goal for the benefit of all residents. Improved recycling and low carbon energy are key parts of our strategy so I am pleased we have agreed a contract that puts this front and centre. Increasing recycling rates to 70 per cent at the HRCs is a big target but we need to be ambitious and I’m confident the people of this city will work with us to achieve this when we provide the means and support.”
