Defra reveals waste management funding

Staffordshire county council has been awarded the sum in private finance initiative (PFI) credits to allow local authorities and industry to work together to reduce the impact waste has on the environment.

Staffordshire's waste plans have important contributions to make on minimisation, recycling and waste diversion

Joan Ruddock

Waste Minister

Among the options the council is looking at is the construction of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant to aid it in its goal of achieving at a 55 per cent recycling and composting target by 2020 - which is five per cent more than the UK's aim.

Defra estimates the projects to be carried out under the PFI could achieve carbon emission savings of 47,000 tonnes by 2020, with this figure increasing to 56,000 tonnes if a CHP solution is implemented.

Joan Ruddock, Waste Minister, commented: "Staffordshire's waste plans have important contributions to make on minimisation, recycling and waste diversion.”

"A combination of these activities is essential if we are to be successful in our drive to tackle climate change" he added.

In related news, Defra also revealed £73.5 million in PFI credits has been awarded to the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership with similar aims intended.

A range of solutions are being considered to help local authorities in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 78,000 tonnes.