Spanish Firm Cleans up in Waltham Forest : Urbaser Commences Waste & Recycling Contract in East London
In East London, environmental services provider, Urbaser Ltd, has taken over responsibility for Waltham Forest’s waste and recycling collections, following the award of a new eight-year contract earlier this year for the provision of neighbourhood services by Waltham Forest Council.
Urbaser said that it has been working with the borough since 2013 carrying out street cleansing and grounds maintenance services, and that it was awarded the new contract due to the high quality and competitive cost of its bid.
Javier Peiro, Managing Director, Urbaser Ltd comented: “We look forward to using our expertise in waste and recycling collections to enhance the current services we provide to the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
“We are particularly excited to be able to increase the range of materials collected for recycling from the kerbside, as well as reuse and recycle more items from the large item collection service. We will also be introducing a new, more sustainable, low emissions fleet and grounds equipment that incorporates the use of electric vehicle technology.”
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment at Waltham Forest Council added: “Our priorities in awarding this contract were to ensure residents receive reliable, efficient services and good value for money. We are confident that Urbaser’s years of experience and reputation for delivering results put them in good stead to meet our high expectations and help us to maintain clean, safe and green neighbourhoods throughout the borough, as well as helping us all respond to the Climate Emergency.”
The company added that residents should not notice any changes when the new contract takes effect. There will be no immediate alterations to rounds or collection days and Urbaser will continue to collect a wide range of items for recycling, including cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, juice cartons, plastic pots, tubs and trays, as well as food and garden waste for composting.
From 2 March 2020 new kerbside collections will be expanded to include ewaste, WEEE and other items such as textiles. The working day will also be extended to make the service even more efficient.
New Collection Fleet
To facilitate the introduction of these new services Urbaser will be introducing a new collection fleet of over 90 low emission vehicles and large machinery in March 2020, comprising refuse and recycling vehicles, sweepers, caged tippers, vans, tractors and ride-on mowers. A significant proportion of the new fleet will be electric with the addition of 21 new electric vehicles and 51 items of electric machinery.
These include two Tenax Italian electric sweepers, a 26t electric RCV, four Glutton vacuum sweepers, 12 Nissan e-nv200 supervisor vans and two Renault Twizy utility vehicles, as well as electric leaf blowers, strimmers and chainsaws.
New sustainability measures for grounds maintenance services include requirements that all weed control in public parks is carried out by non-chemical means and that green waste collected from public parks is collected for compost. Urbaser will also support the council in maintaining Green Flag status at Ridgeway Park, Leyton Jubilee Park, and Lloyd Park.
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