BEaR Project - waste

A greener solution...
- Find alternative ways to treat waste
- Landfill is getting expensive
- Energy can be recovered as electricity or heat
More information on the BEaR Project
Introduction to the BEaR Project
Central Bedfordshire Council is working to provide a greener solution to treat locally produced household waste across the county. 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. Different options are available to treat the household waste that is not recycled of composted and the purpose of the BEaR Project is to let a contract for the most suitable solution in terms of both quality and price.
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 Council is well progressed through the competitive selection process for the long-term waste treatment contract. To ensure maximum innovation and competition are achieved the Council has considered all solutions proposed.
Additional waste infrastructure will also be delivered as part of the waste tender, including:
- Re-development of the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and the re-location of the Dunstable site to Thorn Turn
- Two salt storage barns at strategic locations
- An organic waste treatment solution to be located at Thorn Turn
The detailed solutions stage has been completed and two companies have been selected to submit their final plans for dealing with Central Bedfordshire's waste. The shortlisted bidders are (in alphabetical order):
- New Earth Solutions Group Limited Consortium
- Viridor Waste Management Limited
Both bidders are proposing to deliver solutions at the Council's Thorn Turn site. The BEaR Project team will evaluate the technical, financial and legal aspects of each detailed solution and a preferred bidder is likely to be announced in Autumn 2012.
Whatever solution is chosen, waste reduction and recycling remain top priority for Central Bedfordshire and we will continue to improve recycling services and raise awareness about how to reduce waste.
BEaR Project Business Case Spring 2010 (PDF 1.8MB)
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.
BEaR Residual Waste Technologies
BEaR background information
Process of procuring a waste treatment solution
Community Involvement
BEaR Press Releases
Contractor Information
Central Bedfordshire is not promoting any specific technologies and welcomes bids from a diverse range of providers.
On 29th May 2010, a Contract Notice was issued through the Official Journal of the European Union. The deadline for returned pre-qualification questionnaires was 19th July 2010.
The anticipated amount of residual waste requiring treatment is approximately 70,000 tonnes per annum.
Bidders competing for the main waste treatment contract are also required to put forward proposals for the following additional services:
- Re-develop the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Ampthill, Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard and re-locate the Dunstable site
- Provide gritting salt storage barns in strategic locations
- Provide a Waste Transfer Station so that various types of waste can be bulked up before being sent for treatment
- Provide for the treatment of organic waste in their main proposal
These additional services will assist the Council in accomplishing at least 60% recycling/composting by 2020.
Our external advisers have significant experience of delivering large-scale waste management contracts through PPP and PFI procurement routes.
Finance - Grant Thornton
Technical and Planning - Jacobs Engineering
Legal - Bevan Brittan
Frequently Asked Questions
BEaR Contacts
You can contact us in the following ways:
By writing to us at The BEaR Project, Central Bedfordshire Council, Technology House, Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9QQ
By emailing us at bearproject@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Central Bedfordshire Council is open during normal business hours. You will be able to get regular updates on progress on this number and can ask any questions you may have as the Project progresses.
If we are unable to answer your questions straight away, we will record your query and a member of the BEaR team will respond directly to you within two working days, in accordance with the Central Bedfordshire Council's charter.
You can also...
Do it online
Visit other useful sites*
- Chartered Institute of Waste Management Website

- Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum

- Defra website

- Defra website - New technology information

Contact us
- bearproject@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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