Bath businesses set to benefit from BID waste scheme

Over 600 businesses in Bath are expected to benefit from cheaper waste disposal bills following a business improvement district (BID) proposal to streamline service provision.


Bath BID is proposing to tender out all recycling and trade waste on behalf of the 620 city centre businesses to a single contractor, using just one fleet. Currently, 15 different operators collect the materials.

Under the deal, which is supported by consultancy firm Eunomia, the successful waste operator would be subsidised up to £100,000 a year in order to reduce collection costs – combined waste spend for the businesses currently totals £750,000 a year.

By keeping collection costs low, Bath BID hopes it will ensure a high level of service take-up.

BID manager Andrew Cooper said: “According to a survey of our levy-payers in 2011, 20% of trade waste collected in Bath is recycled, with 80% going to landfill. The BID aims to work with the local business community to turn that statistic on its head.”

The prospectus for the new scheme, which is due to begin operating next April, states that the approach will be the first of its kind to go live in accordance with the aims of the Government’s Waste Review.

Maxine Perella

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