Councillors in Cambridgeshire are urging a delay on a new recycling contract due to environmental concerns about transporting waste to Northern Ireland.
Cambridge: There’s a bit of a stir in Cambridgeshire over a new recycling contract. The plan is to send waste all the way to Northern Ireland for recycling. Some councillors are saying, “Hold on a minute!” They want to know more about how this will affect the environment.
They were told this contract is the best choice and that it will recycle more waste than before. But, it’s a hefty price tag. In fact, it could cost over £2.2 million for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire in 2025/26. That’s a lot of cash to split between the two councils.
Councillor Olaf Hauk, from the Liberal Democrats, is pushing for a delay. He wants to see some “critical data” on the environmental impact before they jump in. He pointed out that transporting waste over 400 miles is a big deal, especially when it crosses the Irish Sea. It’s not exactly a short trip!
He mentioned that the local recycling facility in Waterbeach didn’t submit a valid bid, so that option is off the table. But there were still other bidders, about seven in total. Hauk is worried that the council is not considering the carbon footprint of this plan. He believes they should wait for more information to reassure residents that their recycling efforts are truly making a difference.
Other councillors echoed his concerns. Councillor Mark Ashton felt they hadn’t had enough time to discuss alternatives. He wanted more options on the table. Councillor Elliot Tong from the Green Party also chimed in, saying there’s a shocking lack of consideration for the environmental impacts.
On the flip side, Councillor Rosy Moore, who’s in charge of climate action, defended the contract. She said they’ve worked hard to find the best option and that it’s the best they can do right now. She promised to report back in six months with data on the impact.
Moore disagreed that they hadn’t considered the carbon footprint. She said they wouldn’t know the full impact until they see how the recycled materials are sold. Still, she pointed out that the new contract would keep the recycling rules the same and increase the recycling rate from 80% to 99%. That’s a big jump!
In the end, the amendment to delay the contract didn’t get enough support. So, it looks like the new contract will kick off in March. It’s a hot topic, and many are watching closely.
