End of Landfill a Step Closer for South London

At the start of November Viridor (UK) and the South London Waste Partnership agreed a contract that will take local residents a step closer to the end of landfills.

The aim of this contract is by 2017 to have 200,000 tonnes of residual waste to no longer be buried in unsustainable landfill sites. Viridor instead plan to convert the waste at an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF). The facility can offer 600,000 tonnes of carbon savings whilst also generating power for around 45,000 homes.

Describing the significance of the contract, Councillor Derek Osbourne, Chair of the South London Waste Partnership's Joint Waste Committee said: "Our boroughs are already leading the way on green issues, but this contract is a major milestone that could bring world-class infrastructure to South London.

"Several years ago our four boroughs agreed we couldn't keep burying waste in the ground. We've listened to local people and chosen a much more sustainable way of handling waste. This contract will bring huge environmental benefits to all of the boroughs in our partnership and deliver considerable savings to the taxpayer when they're needed most.

"The new contract will be cheaper than current landfill disposal from day one, and over the 25-year lifetime of the contract it will save the four partner boroughs around £200 million. This money will help protect frontline services like schools, parks, libraries, social care and roads."

Viridor Chief Executive Colin Drummond welcomed the signature of the contract. He said: "This is a key milestone in the development of this project. We are proud of being able to offer the councils a safe, robust and cost-effective solution to meet their needs and to complement their already successful recycling, composting and waste prevention initiatives."