Viridor has been selected as the preferred bidder for the £700 million (US$1.08 billion) Clyde Valley Residual Waste PPP project, in United Kingdom.

Viridor beat out competition from three other shortlisted bidders: Amey Cespa (Ferrovial Group), Balfour Beatty/Urbaser (ACS Group), and FCC Waste Services. The tender process began in 2013 and the shortlist was announced by the end of that year.

The project is jointly run by five councils, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, to procure a long term solution for treatment and disposal of waste. North Lanarkshire is the Lead Authority for the contract.

The concept is that each council will deliver waste to a transfer station within their area. The contractor will operate the facilities on behalf of the councils. The contractor will then transport this to the site of the primary treatment facility where recyclable material will be removed from the waste. The secondary treatment which can be carried out either locally or at a remote site will then be carried out in order to achieve the landfill diversion required by the contract.

The contract is expected to be worth around £700 million over the 25 year contract period. Viridor will be responsible for the design, construct, finance and operate the new facilities to treat waste which would otherwise go to landfill.

The solution proposed by Viridor will process approximately 190,000 tonnes of residual waste per year providing services to a population of more than 845,000 people, helping reach national targets for recycling and landfill diversion by 2025.

Councillor Jim Smith, Depute Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said:

"The development is very good news for residents and businesses within the partner council areas as the project will see Viridor investing to deliver community benefits. This is an excellent example of shared service which will see an end to domestic waste being dumped in landfill and deliver savings and service improvements. Importantly, it will offer best value for money to taxpayers in the five council areas."

Mr. Ian McAulay, Chief Executive of Viridor, said:

"Viridor is delighted to be announced as preferred bidder on the flagship Clyde Valley Residual Waste Partnership project.  The announcement is good news for partner councils, their local environments, economies and communities. We look forward to working towards financial close and to helping deliver their sustainability, zero waste and community benefit objectives."