Five Scottish councils have signed a new contract that will see up to 190,000 tonnes of black bag waste diverted from landfill and converted to low carbon energy on an annual basis.

The £700m, 25-year Clyde Valley Residual Waste Project between East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils and Viridor started on 7 January.

The household waste is taken from each council area to Viridor’s Materials Recovery Facility in North Lanarkshire and treated to produce a refuse derived fuel.

It is then transported to the company’s Energy Recovery Facility at Dunbar, where it is burned at high temperatures to produce 258GWh of low carbon electricity which goes to the national grid.

‘This is a significant project for the five local authorities, both as the first partnership of its kind in Scotland and in its contribution to managing household waste more effectively,’ said Robert Steenson, executive director of enterprise and communities at North Lanarkshire Council.

‘It means that the waste, which cannot be otherwise be recycled, will now be diverted from landfill and transformed into low carbon electricity, with Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility generating enough power for the equivalent of 70,656 homes.

‘At the same time, it also reduces the overall carbon impact associated with the disposal of the waste.’

Steven Don, Viridor’s head of local authority contracts Scotland, commented: ‘The Bargeddie Hub is now receiving waste as part of this contract just in time for the very busy post-festive season period.

‘The Clyde Valley Partnership is an excellent example of how local authorities can work together to deliver effective waste management and contribute to a circular economy in Scotland.’