Following the appointment of a specialist contractor by UBB, preliminary works are scheduled to get underway shortly, ahead of the removal of the Tovi Eco Park waste facility in Basildon.
Essex County Council announced in April the facility would be closed, cleaned and safely removed from the site.
Preliminary works by UBB will involve the removal of equipment and machinery which can be repurposed or recycled with a target of at least 95% being reused or recycled.
These preliminary works will start this autumn. The work will include the removal of key items of machinery and equipment, much of which will be sent to be reused or recycled.
Meanwhile, the Council is continuing to work on a long-term strategy for residual waste management in Essex.
Works are permitted to be carried out during the hours of 08:00 -18:00 on Mondays to Friday and 08:00 – 13:00 on Saturdays.
A hoarding around the perimeter of the site will shortly be put up and 24-hour security is in place.
The works are scheduled to be completed around Easter 2024. The dismantling of the building itself is expected to start later in the autumn.
Cllr Malcolm Buckley, Cabinet Member for Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “It’s really important that the facility’s owners are able to repurpose and reuse as much of the equipment from the facility. Where items can’t be used elsewhere, we hope they will be recycled wherever possible.
“In the meantime, UBB is looking to remove the facility as soon as possible and I am pleased these initial works will start soon.
“The works will take place during daytime hours to minimise any inconvenience caused and the contractor will do everything it can to remove the facility in the most efficient and least disruptive way possible.
“Meanwhile we are working with the city, district and borough councils on options for a long-term solution for our waste treatment and disposal. Steps are already being taken to develop a new waste strategy and we will continue to progress the project as quickly as possible.
“However, we must also ensure we get it right so that we can encourage more sustainable and environmentally-friendly waste management in the long term.”
A full public consultation on the future of household waste management in Essex will follow at a later date.
For the latest news on the facility, visit https://www.ubbessex.co.uk/ or for waste and recycling news follow @LoveEssex on Twitter.