The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has welcomed the start of a multi-million-pound project – Prosiect Gwyrdd – which will enable a consortium of five local authorities in Wales (Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport and the Vale of Glamorgan) to invest in modern and sustainable waste management systems to treat separately collected food waste and waste that cannot be recycled or composted.
Recently, an OJEU notice has been sent out to the market for companies that might be interested in this contract. The notice outlines the specific requirements of Prosiect Gwyrdd and signals the start of a complex procurement process.
Speaking at a meeting in Cardiff for local authority Cabinet members with responsibility for Waste, WLGA Leader Councillor John Davies (Pembrokeshire), said: “There are two major sets of procurement being taken forward in Wales to tackle the issue of waste; one relates to the treatment of food waste and the other the treatment of residual waste. Today’s announcement from Prosiect Gwyrdd relates to the latter.
“Project Gwyrdd is an ambitious yet vital project aimed at ensuring the waste success of five South East Wales authorities. This project has the potential for massively reducing the risk of these local authorities facing huge European infraction fines for failing to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill.
“However, if Wales is to meet the challenging waste targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government and EU then all local authorities, not just these five need to develop new waste facilities. This is vital, not only because landfill space is running out but also because of the harmful environmental effects of landfill.
“Local authorities will be subject to stringent fines of up to £200 per tonne if we do not continue to reduce our landfill tonnage. Projects such as this are a vital part of the solution. Meeting these waste targets is going to be a challenge but one we know we can tackle through strong partnership procurements like Prosiect Gwyrdd. Waste has become a major issue for modern local government and substantial amounts of money are now tied up in the service. This announcement demonstrates the concerted action being taken by local and central government to put our environment first for the benefit of our local communities despite these extraordinarily difficult financial times. Prosiect Gwyrdd is an excellent example of effective collaboration between the Welsh Assembly Government, Partnerships UK (who are advising on the procurement), the WLGA and local authorities who have worked closely together to develop a way forward for the project.”
