FCC Environment has signed a 25-year residual waste contract with Wigan Council to divert an estimated 90 per cent of the borough’s non-recyclable waste away from landfill.
From 1 April 2015, FCC Environment will be expected to process around 80,000 tonnes of residual waste a year for use as refuse derived fuel (RDF) to generate energy from waste at specialist facilities in the UK. According to FCC Environment, it is estimated that this will save Wigan Council approximately £1m each year.
FCC Environment will also continue to manage the council’s Kirkless transfer station in Ince and three household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) in Atherton, Ince and Leigh.
FCC Environment spokesperson said: “The layout and infrastructure of the HWRCs will be redeveloped to enhance the experience of users and increase the range of materials which can be recycled. The transfer station in Kirkless will be improved to maximise recycling as well as for the production of RDF.”
The leader of Wigan Council, Lord Peter Smith, added: “FCC Environment shares our ambition to maximise recycling and composting, while diverting as much waste as possible from landfill.”