Public Sector

Waste

The waste sector is currently the focus for considerable activity both in terms of government policy and transactional work. With the pressure from Landfill diversion targets as well as the wider strategies to combat global warming the pressure is on to secure appropriate mechanisms which will assist achievement of the targets.

Our environmental law credentials (with a team which has built an enviable reputation in respect of acting for a range of clients in the public sector as well as corporate, education & charities, healthcare and waste management sectors and private developers) together with specific experience in relation to the waste industry (including acting for two waste companies) and major waste procurement projects (including projects involving phased implementation for development of long term solutions and MBT and EfW solutions) for both the public and private sector means that:

We are able to assist in procurement of projects for waste disposal authorities including compliance with procurement rules, development of partnering structures (either with waste collection authorities or other disposal authorities), development of procurement strategy and all contract documentation and negotiating with the private sector bidders;
We are able to assist private sector companies wanting to submit tenders to understand the risks involved in the variety of contract structures being adopted in the market and to negotiate a successful relationship with the procuring disposal authorities; and
We are able to advise on other waste management issues for both the private and public sector.

Our team has a comprehensive understanding of the principles and issues that apply to local authorities in the procurement of major projects using PFI, PPP and bespoke arrangements in a variety of sectors.

We are already applying this experience to waste projects which are increasingly being developed on a bespoke basis to deliver the best value solution for the particular disposal requirements. Indeed there is increasing reluctance in the market to adopt a "standard" PFI style approach having regard to the fact that one of the most significant risks (LATs fines) is not one which the private sector are generally prepared to take on.

In addition there remains some uncertainty about the ability of some of the new technologies to deliver the waste disposal authorities' requirements. We can advise on suitable allocation of risk which can deliver value for money solutions.