Five Scottish Councils are to form a £700 million partnership with Viridor to tackle waste in their regions.

The 25-year multi-million pound shared services deal was signed by North Lanarkshire Council, as the lead authority on behalf of East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire Councils.

The scheme, which is due to begin on 01 December 2019, will divert waste from landfill by capturing recyclable materials from residual waste before recovering renewable energy from what remains.

Around 190,000 tonnes of residual waste will be processed each year, diverting over 90% of the partner councils' waste from landfill as well as producing a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) which can be used to generate renewable energy.

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Waste will be transported to Viridor's new £22m treatment facility at Bargeddie where recyclable material will be extracted and the RDF taken to the company's £177m energy recovery facility at Dunbar.

North Lanarkshire Council Leader, Jim Logue, said: "This is an important contract in terms of the scale of waste processing and environmental benefits, but also as the first partnership between Scottish local authorities arising from Sir John Arbuthnott's review of shared services.

"By working in partnership, we are delivering improved services for residents, best value for tax payers, creating new jobs and recycling more waste which would otherwise go to landfill."

Paul Ringham, Commercial Director for Viridor, added: "Viridor's partnership will transform waste across the Clyde Valley. In addition to best value and driving a low-carbon future focussed on landfill diversion, the partnership will deliver real economic and community benefits. From next-generation infrastructure to jobs, supply-chain opportunities and an innovative education partnership, our team is ready for the work ahead."

(LM)