Countdown to new waste contract

The new eight-year contract was due to start this summer but will now begin from 22 October 2023.

Works to prepare the depot for the new contract are progressing well and will be ready to support the new partnership with Urbaser.

This includes installing charging points for electric vehicles, as well as ground works and installation of essential welfare facilities for staff.

The Council and Urbaser are also working on the delivery and design for a new fleet of more environmentally-friendly vehicles for collecting waste and street cleaning - ready to roll out in time for the revised start date.

In the meantime residents should keep to the current guidelines for waste and recycling collections.

However, after 22 October, they will see an improved recycling offer with glass bottles and jars being added to orange sack recycling collections for the first time.

The range of plastics collected in the orange recycling bags will also increase to include pots, tubs and trays.

Urbaser Ltd will take on the current in-house street cleansing service, as well as the existing outsourced waste and recycling and weed control services.

The agreement will also include the green garden waste collection service, fly-tipping clearance, graffiti cleaning and collection of clinical and bulky waste.

Havering’s existing Street Cleansing staff, as well as those from the current waste collection contractor, will be fully supported as they transfer over to Urbaser Ltd at the start of the new contract.

The contract will cost £90 million over the eight years – with the option to extend for a further eight at a cost of £180 million in total.

The contract will also offer a range of environmental improvements including a new fleet of waste, recycling, street cleansing vehicles.

This will see 20 percent of vehicles and equipment, electric-powered.The carbon emissions generated by the non-electric vehicles will be offset using accredited Carbon Capture schemes in the UK and as a result, the contract will be net zero emissions.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Urbaser Ltd to deliver our waste and recycling service.

“We know that our waste and recycling service along with street cleaning are among the services most valued by our residents.

“It’s important that with this new contract, we provide continuity of the high level of service that residents have come to expect. We’re pleased to be offering the collection of glass and more items that residents can recycle.

“We want to work together with Urbaser Ltd to help encourage our residents to recycle more and be able to reduce waste, which in turn, will help the environment.”

Urbaser is a leading global environmental management company, focused on sustainability and innovation, serving more than 70 million people in 21 countries through a network of more than 59,000 employees.

In the UK, Urbaser is a leading waste management company, offering a wide range of municipal, commercial, waste treatment and recovery services which are dedicated to conserving resources, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving a circular economy.

Javier Peiro, Managing Director of Urbaser UK, said:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract and look forward to building a long and prosperous relationship with Havering Council by providing an innovative and sustainable service that delivers significant social value and environmental benefits.

“Urbaser is excited to build upon our experience operating in London and the south-east of England to enhance the existing services provided across the London borough whilst meeting all Havering residents’ expectations.”