Study into North East England Local Authority Gully & Road Sweeping Operations John Shepherd North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership

Contents Background / Objectives Methodology Gully Waste Definition & Key Issues Key Findings - Local Authorities Key Findings - Technology Options / Service Providers Recommended Technology Options / Service Providers Cost Benefits Next Steps

Background / Objectives NE IEP in partnership with RENEW commissioned Valpak Consulting Assess the current situation, costs and main disposal options for LA gully waste in the North East Identify alternative treatment options to reduce the quantity of this material going to landfill and optimise cost benefits Identify the potential for joint working between LA’s Assess the legal aspects related to gully waste in the UK

Methodology Secondary research: –Environment Agency (EA) –Defra –Waste Data Flow –CIWM, Letsrecycle.com, ENDS, MRW etc… –Technology providers – e.g. H2Ology, Huber, Admec, Perth & Kinross etc… Primary Research: –LA interviews – face to face 10 completed for 12 LAs 2 did not participate –Technology provider interviews – face to face / site visits / telephone Final report (key findings and recommendations)

Gully Waste Definition & Key Issues Defra’s definition of gully waste: ‘waste washed from drainage channels (including gutters) down the drains into pots underground which are emptied at regular intervals by a tanker’ Typical Composition: small stones, sand, gravel, grit, cinders, silt, metal fragments, organic material (decaying plant matter), oil and litter. However, ~60% to 70% of gully waste is liquid The Landfill Directive banned certain wastes from landfill including liquid wastes. As a result, since October 2007 landfill sites have not been permitted to accept untreated wastes (with the exception of inert waste) or liquid wastes in the UK

Key Findings – Local Authorities Total amount of street sweeping material and gully emptyings collected by LAs in NE England in 2008/09 was ~42,000 tonnes Estimated costs for treatment and disposal of both waste types: –Landfill - £55 to £75 per tonne –EfW - £30 to £55 per tonne –Recycling / treatment – –£30 to £200 per tonne Local authorities believe in benefits of working together

Key Findings – Technology Options / Service Providers Treatment Technologies – equipment to dewater and process hard fraction Reed Beds - treatment option for the liquid fraction of gully waste Service Providers - operators of gully waste treatment facilities Each technology assessed against criteria which included: established in region, proven technology, cost benefits, variety of procurement options, treat both waste types

Recommended Technology Options / Service Providers for N.E. H2Ology (treatment technology) Proven technology Durham CC potentially procuring Support services Modular system Variety of procurement options Sadly ceased trading Siltbuster (treatment technology) Proven technology Currently in operation in the region Support services Modular system Variety of procurement options Admec (service provider) Proven technology Currently in operating in the region Customised site Knowledge and expertise Development Opportunities Scott Bros. (reed beds) Proven capability Currently situated in the region Ecological treatment Aggregate recycling facility onsite Access to end markets Currently awaiting EA approval

Cost Benefits CompanyCost Benefits H2Ology Potential payback two years* Annual savings between £116,783 & £160,475* Siltbuster Potential payback three years* Annual savings between £79,783 & £147,975* AdmecAnnual savings of £15,737* Scott BrosAnnual savings of £115,401* *Based on average LA tonnage of material (3,497t) and compared to current landfill costs of £227,305 per annum

Next Steps Factors which can influence the decision making process when procuring a gully waste treatment technology or service include: Available Funding Future Budgets Transportation Costs Water Costs Treatment / Disposal Costs Recycling Target Contribution Quantity / Quality of Material Length of Potential Contract Land / Site Availability

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