Councils announce next major step in waste treatment facility project

Three major waste management firms have been selected to progress to the next stage of the procurement process to appoint a contractor to fix and operate Sinfin waste treatment centre in Derby.

Following a first stage selection process, Biffa, Thalia and Viridor have been identified by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council as the most suitable qualified companies to move forward to the Competitive Dialogue phase.

This marks a significant step in the councils’ joint project to secure a long-term waste management solution for Derby and Derbyshire, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and value for residents.

The timeline for the next steps in the procurement are:

• Competitive Dialogue – October 2025
• Contract award (Cabinet decision) – December 2025
• End of due diligence and commencement of rectification phase – June 2027
• Start of commissioning – June 2028
• First waste acceptance – November 2028
• Completion of commissioning and transition to normal operations - Winter 2028 – Winter 2031

Over six months from March 2025, the councils and selected bidders will enter ‘Competitive Dialogue’ - structured discussions designed to provide equal treatment of all three companies to clarify, specify and enhance their proposed solution to fix and operate the facility.

The process enables both the councils and bidders to assess approaches and ensure opportunities that strike the right balance between cost and quality are explored.

Both councils remain committed to a transparent and thorough process to ensure the best possible outcome for waste management in Derby and Derbyshire.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We were confident we had developed a procurement process and commercial proposition that would be attractive to the right companies. Shortlisting three major players in the UK waste market proves there’s a competitive market for this project, and operators with the skills and experience to successfully deliver it and its expected benefits.

“Fixing and operating the facility was found to be the most viable, cost-effective, and sustainable long-term solution to manage household waste which residents in Derby and Derbyshire either cannot or choose not to recycle.”

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “This is an important milestone in our commitment to securing a sustainable and cost-effective waste management solution for Derby and Derbyshire. Reaching this stage with three leading waste management companies demonstrates both the strength of our approach and the level of industry interest in this project.  

“The council is keen to ensure a sustainable way to dispose of residents’ waste in the long term and seeks to find the most cost effective solution.”

The decision to fix and operate the facility takes into account the councils’ ongoing commitment to encourage residents to reduce, reuse and recycle more of their waste.