Resource and waste management business FCC Environment has been awarded the new contract for the operation of Suffolk County Council’s network of 11 recycling centres.

Announced yesterday (24 January), the contract covers the period 16 May 2019 to 30 September 2027.FCC Environment operates some 100 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in the UK, recycling around 1.6 million tonnes of waste each year.

Some of the key features of the new contract will be:

• Greater emphasis on re-use, with plans for a second reuse shop at the new Bury site later in 2019;
• Use of enhanced technology on all sites to speed up customer throughput times and support tackling trade waste abuse;
• Delivering a programme of site improvements in a way that minimises disruption to service delivery; and
• Reduced cost through a highly competitive negotiated procurement process.

Commenting on the contract award, Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Waste, said: “This is a high-profile service with over 1.5 million users each year across the 11 sites. We are delighted to once again be working with FCC Environment, who have demonstrated they have the experience and ambition to deliver against our targets and work in partnership with us to provide an excellent service for residents throughout the county.”

FCC Regional Director Steve Longdon added: “We are excited to be continuing our relationship with Suffolk County Council and we look forward to delivering a wider reuse offering, enhancing on-site technology to improve the user experience and implementing a raft of meaningful site improvements whilst reducing costs across the board.”