Purpose

To approve the food waste procurement

Decision

It was RESOLVED: -

1. 1.1         That Cabinet approved the award of the food vehicle supply contract to the bidder with the highest evaluation score, subject to a compliant procurement process, to deliver Option 2 – 2 x electric food waste collection vehicles and 7.5 x diesel / HVO food waste collection vehicles.
2. 1.2         That Cabinet noted the awarding of the contract to the bidder with the highest evaluation score for the supply of both internal and external food waste caddies to all households across the Mid Suffolk District.
3. 1.3         That Delegated Authority was provided to the Director of Operations and Climate Change, in consultation with the cabinet members for Environment, Culture and Wellbeing, and Finance, to finalise the terms and conditions of, and enter into any contracts required to deliver these recommendations.

REASON FOR DECISION

To ensure the council, in cooperation with the other authorities within the Suffolk Waste Partnership, can successfully implement weekly food waste collections around 31 March 2026 to meet statutory requirements and comply the Environment Act 2021. Option 2 supports the transition to electric vehicles, with a potential key benefit being the promotion of electric vehicle adoption within the district.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Option 1 – 9.5 x diesel / HVO food waste collection vehicles 

Option 1 involves procuring more vehicles of a fuel type we are familiar with and that we are proficient at servicing and maintaining. No additional infrastructure is required, and both capital outlay and revenue expenditure are lower. The risk of running out of charge or of battery cells degrading and becoming sub-optimal over the lifetime of the vehicles is removed. Additionally, this option offers lower emissions than all other options.

Option 3 – 9.5 x electric food waste collection vehicles

Option 3 has been ruled out as the depot does not have available electricity supply capacity to overnight charge more than 4 food vehicles. Whilst this current supply could be upgraded, given the remaining short economic life of the depot, this is not considered a viable option.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None