Highland Council set to beat Scottish Government landfill deadline after agreeing £58 million deal with East Lothian firm Viridor Dunbar Waste Services Limited
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The Highlands looks set to meet a deadline for ending landfill three years ahead of schedule after the council agreed a £58 million deal with a waste disposal firm.
The residual waste contract with Viridor Dunbar Waste Services Limited will see it process Highland refuse at its waste to energy plant in East Lothian, supplying power to the National Grid.
The five-year contract is due to start on January 1, with the option of a three-year extension. The deal covers both household and commercial residual waste.
The Scottish Government has ruled that landfill disposal of biodegradable waste must end by January 1, 2026.
Despite the transport requirements of getting Highland waste to the Lothian plant, backers say the new contract will still lead to lower carbon emissions from the council’s waste management activities as the Viridor plant and processing produces significantly lower emissions compared to landfill.
The volumes to be processed through the contract will vary over time and the council will progressively direct waste from its own facilities into the contract as existing arrangements expire and landfill capacity in Caithness and Aviemore is used up.
The council estimates up to 72,000 tonnes of residual waste will be treated by Viridor each year.
Allan Gunn, Highland Council's executive chief officer for communities and place, said: “This is an extremely positive and important step for Highland.
"This contract provides the council with medium-term security of waste disposal outlets within Scotland.
"It will also result in lower carbon emissions from the council’s waste management activities.”
n In other waste-related news, contingency plans have been brought to bear after a fire at an Aberdeen recycling facility.
The Altens Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Aberdeen normally processes recyclable material delivered by Highland Council contractors SUEZ but suffered a major fire incident over the weekend, hampering operations.
A Highland Council spokesman said: “The contractor is now providing Highland Council with planned contingency arrangements for processing recycling.
"The contractor (SUEZ) is keeping the council updated, there is currently no disruption to the service provided.”
