The three bidders to construct an energy from waste facility for Edinburgh and Midlothian councils have been revealed.
FCC Medio Ambiente SA, Urbaser and Viridor Waste Management have been invited to submit detailed proposals by July 2013 for the treatment of mixed, unsorted waste by the two councils under their Zero Waste” Edinburgh and Midlothian partnership.
Each bidder must provide detailed information about its pre-treatment facility, which will be situated at the project site near Millerhill in Midlothian.
This facility will separate out any remaining marketable recyclables and produce a fuel for an energy from waste facility.
The energy from waste facility can either be at Millerhill or offsite at the bidder’s choosing.
City of Edinburgh Council environment vice-convener Councillor Jim Orr said: “The City of Edinburgh Council is committed to pursuing more environmentally-friendly and sustainable ways of dealing with out waste, and I welcome this development.
“We are making great strides in increasing our recycling, but we recognise that a lot more work is needed to reduce the amount of waste that we sent to landfill. This project, along with our ongoing efforts at the kerbside, is aimed at eventually reducing the amount of waste which ends up buried in a landfill site from more than 50 per cent to less than 5 per cent.”
Midlothian Council cabinet member for economic development Councillor Jim Bryant added: “On top of redeveloping derelict land at former rail marshalling yards in Midlothian, this major project has the potential to deliver substantial economic benefits to the area by creating new jobs and new business opportunities. It also represents the final piece of Midlothian Council’s waste and recycling strategy, and I am delighted to see progress being made.”
It is expected that the contract will be awarded in 2014, with the facilities operational in 2017.
