Central Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling (BEaR) Project
Central Bedfordshire Council is working to provide a greener solution to treat locally produced household waste. Local councils need to find alternative ways to treat waste that is not recycled or composted. Government and EU legislation require that by 2020, waste sent to landfill must be reduced to 35% of the amount landfilled in 1995.
BEaR facts
- We must find more environmentally friendly ways to dispose of the waste that is not recycled. Landfill sites release methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change
- Rapidly increasing taxes, transport costs and possible fines are making landfill very expensive
- Waste can and should be used as a resource. Energy can be recovered in the form of electricity and possibly heat, helping to cut down our reliance on fossil fuels
Current position
- The BEaR Project Business Case was approved by the Executive on 6th April 2010.
- The authority has started a competitive selection process for the long-term waste treatment contract.
- All technology solutions will be considered.
- Additional waste infrastructure will also be delivered as part of the residual waste tender, including the re-development of the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and the re-location of the Dunstable site, salt storage barns at strategic locations, a Waste Transfer Station and an organic waste treatment solution
- Whatever technology is chosen, waste reduction and recycling remain top priority for Central Bedfordshire, who will continue to improve recycling services and raise awareness about how to reduce waste.
BEaR Project Business Case Spring 2010 (application/pdf; 1846kB)
Please note that a small amount of the document content has been removed and is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 2000 due to a number of sensitivities.