Procurement of joint waste service contract

Veolia was identified as the Preferred Bidder as a result of a complex and robust procurement process that was formally ratified by the four councils and the East and West Surrey shadow authorities in July. 

Following award of the contract, JWS will work closely with Veolia to set up the new contract on behalf of each authority. Together they will implement a mobilisation plan to ensure that waste collections and street cleaning run continuously from the point of handover, next June. 

Alongside this, JWS will continue to oversee Amey’s day-to-day running of the waste contract over the next 10 months, as well as administering their exit plan. 

When Veolia start their contract on 6 June 2027, residents will initially see no changes to their bin collections schedule and services. 

In September, Veolia plan to introduce some round changes to optimise efficiency. Residents will be notified of the details well in advance of any changes. 

To support an increase in recycling rates, Veolia will also introduce a bookable small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), batteries and textile collections service, drawing on Veolia’s expertise in delivering this service in other local authority areas. Residents will be able to access this service through an online booking system. 

The contract will also include Mobile Community Household Waste Recycling Centres delivered in each local authority area to provide additional recycling avenues for residents.

Innovation will also play a significant role in delivering industry-leading comprehensive waste management and environmental services across the four authority areas. 

Veolia will deliver trials of AI enabled systems on vehicles to identify possible contamination in recycling and advanced bin sensors to inform dynamic collection schedules to prevent on-street litter bins from overflowing. Bin weighing technology will also help inform targeted improvement plans to raise recycling participation.

To support the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of communities in Surrey, the company has committed to significant local employment as well as supporting apprenticeships, opportunities for long-term unemployed, NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and work experience placements. Communities will also be able to benefit from Veolia’s Sustainability Fund and schools Orchard programme. 

For the initial seven year term, the company has pledged almost £5m in social value delivery.

Cllr Ashley Tilling, Chair of the Joint Waste Collection Services Committee, said: 

I would like to thank JWS and the four district and borough councils for their efforts in procuring and appointing Veolia as the new waste contractor for residents in Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking. Work now begins on mobilising the new contract for the unitary authorities to ensure a seamless transition next summer.

Richard Kirkman, Chief Executive Officer for Veolia UK, added: 

We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Joint Waste Solutions to deliver community-led, innovative recycling and waste services and street cleansing to the residents of Surrey.

Our operations are tailored to reflect the needs and requirements of residents, not just for the next seven years, but also for the future to provide environmental security. Our AI approach, which is central to Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, will unlock data for the local authorities to help increase recycling rates and keep Surrey’s public services at the forefront of innovation.

The environmental, economic and social wellbeing of the communities we serve is paramount and we look forward to working with Joint Waste Solutions, local residents and groups to make their areas cleaner, safer and more circular.