GMWDA will continue with their ambition of zero waste to landfill and protect the public purse

Date published: 14 February 2011

At its meeting on Friday 11 February 2011, GMWDA set its budget and levy for 2011/12 with all parties making a unanimous decision on the proposals.

That budget is allowing £631m of investment to be made in world class environmentally sustainable technology, under a 25 year contract until 2034 with Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) (VLGM) Limited, which will be able to deal with the 1.1m tonne per annum of waste we generate. Although there are cost increases in the early years of the contract, benefits will be apparent from 2015 as any the contract increases will fall below inflation, and also guarantee performance.

In light of pressure on local authority budgets, GMWDA affirmed its commitment to make efficiency savings whilst remaining true to its objective of reaching a recycling and composting rate of 50% by 2015.

GMWDA plan to make the most of its partnership with district councils and local communities to help reduce, re-use and recycle more of Greater Manchester’s waste and bring to life the ambition of ‘zero waste to landfill.’ This is not only good for the environment, but will save significant money through avoided landfill tax charges.