£65 million in PFI credits has been awarded by Defra to a North Yorkshire partnership to improve local waste management facilities in the region.

Plans include increasing recycling and composting as well a mechanical and biological treatment plant and an energy from waste plant. As a result North Yorkshire and York will divert from landfill over three-quarters of municipal waste collected in their areas by 2033. The final make up of the new residual waste treatment plants will be decided through the procurement process.

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The project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council in partnership with York City Council.

Environment Minister Joan Ruddock commented: "Reducing our reliance on landfill is an essential part of the drive to tackle climate change and I welcome the ambitious commitment made by the North Yorkshire County Council and York City Council partnership.

"PFI agreements like this one provide an incentive for local authorities and industry to work together to achieve our goals for cutting waste, reducing its environmental impact, and making better use and reuse of the waste we create."

(JM/SP)