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£95m South West project to divert biodegradable waste from landfill

Waste facilities in South West Devon will see major improvements thanks to £95m in funding to a partnership of local councils announced by Defra today. The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding for the South West Devon Waste Partnership will mean that up to 293,000 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste will be diverted from landfill in 2019/20 - this means that 92% of the biodegradable waste in the area will be diverted from landfill.

The project will also help to improve recycling and waste reduction rates in the area, in line with national targets, as well as making a significant contribution to the UK's landfill reduction and emission targets, with estimated net carbon savings of 38,260 tonnes in 2019/20. The potential for combined heat and power could further increase this to 77,500 tonnes.

Waste Minister Joan Ruddock said:

"Reducing our reliance on landfill is absolutely vital if we are to tackle climate change, and ambitious projects like this one can make a big difference. I am pleased to see these three authorities working together to deliver this important project.

"PFI agreements like this create a real incentive for local authorities and industry to work together to cut waste and make better use of the waste we do create as well as reducing our impact on the environment."

The partnership, comprised of Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and Devon County Council, (covering the districts of South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon), will issue a notice to prospective bidders in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) shortly.

The climate change impacts of any technologies proposed will be assessed during the procurement process.