Mole Valley Refuse & Recycling contract goes to Biffa

The seven year contract, won in the face of strong competition from Onyx, ServiceTeam, MRS, Cory and incumbent, SITA, is valued at £1.9 million. It will see Biffa take responsibility for the authority’s household, commercial, recycling and bulky household waste collections from August 5, 2002 and the mobilisation process is already under way.

All existing waste operatives will be employed by Biffa; improvements have been scheduled for the existing depot and a new fleet of 17 vehicles are to be introduced, including specialist recycling vehicles.

Mole Valley District Council already provides for the recycling of newspapers, magazines and cans and is currently achieving a recycling rate of 14%. Government targets of 36% by 2005/6 has led the authority to consider the introduction of a twin-wheeled bin system – one bin for recyclables and one for refuse. This will allow, with Biffa’s assistance, for a greater range of recyclable materials to be collected.

“After meeting privately with officers from Tandridge and West Berkshire District Councils, where Biffa also have responsibility for municipal waste collection, we were convinced that Biffa were right for the job,” said Mole Valley’s head of general services, Dave Parr. “We were also impressed with the company’s quality assurance systems and their key performance indicators.”

“We’re delighted to be working with Mole Valley District Council,” said regional manager, Jason Holtom. “There is a real opportunity for increased recycling and improved service provision and we will be bringing to bear all our knowledge and experience in helping the authority achieve its targets.”