Partners in Progress
- In 2006/7 the total waste across both NCC and MKC area was 508,060 tonnes
- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is predicted to increase to 700,000 tonnes per annum over the next 20 years, with nearly 160,000 new homes expected to be built across the two councils’ areas
- NCC has 10 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) which accept approximately 20 per cent of the county’s municipal solid waste (MSW)
- MKC has 3 Community Recycling Centres (CRCs), which also accept approximately 20 per cent of the area’s municipal solid waste (MSW).
Milton Keynes Council and Northamptonshire County Council are working together to consider the possibility of sharing waste treatment and disposal facilities in the future.
A business case has been developed to explore the different technologies available to treat residual waste and to look at the legal and financial benefits of a partnership.
The business case was completed in Spring 2008.
Legal requirements
The government has set challenging targets for every council in England to reduce the quantities of biodegradable waste sent to landfill each year. This is to help limit the environmental impacts associated with landfill. Councils will face large fines if targets are not met.
Helping the environment
As the population in Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire continues to rise, a long-term solution to waste management must be found. There is a need to increase the amount of waste that is recycled and composted.
Partnership
It is hoped these issues can be addressed more effectively by working closely with Milton Keynes Council, sharing ideas and investigating new methods of treating waste.
Technical solutions
There are many different ways to treat and dispose of municipal waste. The two authorities are committed to finding the best solution for residents of both areas.
Milton Keynes Council and Northamptonshire County Council have successfully submitted an 'Expression of Interest' (EoI) to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as part of the process of securing Private Finance Initiative funding.
The next step was for the two authorities to submit their joint Outline Business Case to DEFRA. This was done on 30 April 2008.
This page will be updated periodically as developments occur.
For more information, please email us at jointwasteproject@milton-keynes.gov.uk