Rubbish deal saves firms on waste costs

AN ECO-FRIENDLY waste contract which has allowed councils to freeze commercial refuse collection charges for businesses has been extended for two years.
W50C Council and Rabbit Group reps outside the firm's HQ following signing of waste deal.W50C Council and Rabbit Group reps outside the firm's HQ following signing of waste deal.
W50C Council and Rabbit Group reps outside the firm's HQ following signing of waste deal.

Lancing-based firm Rabbit Group has signed an extension with Adur and Worthing councils, which will see 5,500 tonnes of waste turned into enough power to fuel 800 homes.

It follows a two-year pilot scheme between the two parties, which has saved businesses around five per cent on overheads.

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Adur cabinet member for environment Keith Dollemore said: “Working with Rabbit Group to get more value from commercial waste is good for everyone.

“It helps the environment by not burying the waste, offers better value for our customers and supports local business.”

When deposited at the £15m Rabbit facility, the waste will be processed through the materials recovery plant where any recyclable materials will be removed for re-processing.

And by transporting waste to the Lancing plant, rather than Horsham, 7,500 miles of lorry journeys per year are thought to have been saved.

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Rabbit Group managing director Greg Blurton said he was pleased to see the councils ensuring waste was handled locally.

He said : “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Adur and Worthing councils.

“This deal will see approximately 5,500 tonnes of waste collected from local businesses come into our local facility in Lancing, rather than being transported miles to landfill sites either within or out of the county.”

The deal came just days after the councils’ new chief executive Alex Bailey spent a day with refuse workers.

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The experience was part of his ongoing tours of council departments, in order to learn more about the workings of them.

Mr Bailey said: “Our cleansing services are held in high regard and now I know why.

“The councils and our residents should be proud of the work they are doing to look after our areas, often undertaking tough and unpleasant work on our behalf, seven days a week.”

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