The sustainability agenda has transformed the waste sector into a dynamic area in the space of just a few short years. Local authorities are now under more pressure than ever before to reduce, reuse and recycle municipal waste and wherever possible convert it into heat and electricity. This affects both our public and private sector clients.
Local authorities who fail to meet the increasingly stringent targets for landfill reduction and waste recycling face substantial fines and other sanctions imposed by the European Union and others. This drive for waste efficiency has in turn created a brand new market for capital investment and for new and innovative technology and service.
This has a significant impact on local authorities whether they are responsible for the collection and recycling of waste (Waste Collection Authorities) or for the disposal and treatment of waste (Waste Disposal Authorities). It also impacts on both the general public and the entire waste collection industry. The Government also plays a key role in driving policy and providing funds by way of PFI subsidy to funders who bankroll waste infrastructure.
Bevan Brittan has a large, specialist Waste team that advises local authorities and the waste Industry on all aspects of waste collection and disposal. Six members of our Construction and Engineering department form part of the wider Bevan Brittan Waste team.
For waste collection authorities we advise on all issues relating to recycling, collection contracts and street cleansing programmes. This includes advice on both new contracts and arrangements and reviewing the efficiency and standards of existing contracts where authorities have concerns over service delivery and value for money.
For waste disposal authorities we are market leaders in advising on the high value and politically sensitive issues relating to the delivery of major infrastructure treatment and disposal projects. Work here includes advising on complex procurement (including the use of competitive dialogue), funding and planning issues required by waste disposal authorities. We have also led the way in advising on collaboration between waste disposal authorities with the delivery of the first of these projects in the UK and providing the published standard guidance to collaborating authorities produced by DEFRA. This work for Central Government also includes advising the DEFRA sponsored Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP), established to support local authorities to accelerate investment in the large-scale infrastructure required to treat residual waste.
For the private sector our experience and in-depth understanding of the political drivers and structure of waste projects has enabled us to add value through insightful advice, which is critical for these sensitive projects. Our work here includes advising contractors, EPC Contractors, O&M Providers, technology companies and funders.