Kirklees Council extends waste management partnership with SUEZ until 2028
The integrated waste management contract, first signed in 1998, covers the handling of approximately 190,000 tonnes of household waste each year. SUEZ currently operates 10 facilities across Kirklees, including an energy-from-waste (EfW) facility, a materials recovery facility (MRF), four household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), and two waste transfer stations.
Over the life of the partnership, the service has delivered a number of key achievements. These include diverting 91% of waste from landfill and the addition of plastic pots, tubs and trays to household collections in 2021. This change was supported by upgrades to the MRF, including the installation of a near-infrared (NIR) sorter to enhance material quality and recycling efficiency.
Another major focus has been the expansion of reuse initiatives to drive the local circular economy. Reuse facilities have been introduced at HWRCs to capture high-quality preloved goods for resale through the recently renovated Revive shop in Upperhead Row near Huddersfield Bus Station and Pass-It-On-With Revive in Batley. In 2024/25, the shop has sold over 217 tonnes of items and served over 100,000 customers, diverting usable items from waste and offering affordable options for residents. Proceeds from the shop’s sales have supported good causes across Kirklees, including the SLATE and St Vincent De Paul charities.
This contract extension provides a strong foundation to embrace upcoming changes in waste and recycling legislation, including the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. The renewed agreement commits to a waste hierarchy-based approach and supports the Council’s ambition to achieve zero emissions by 2038, including a target of zero waste to landfill.
Looking ahead, plans are in motion to develop the Huddersfield District Energy Network (HDEN), which aims to use low-carbon heat generated from the EfW facility to warm buildings in the town centre, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with Kirklees Council until 2028. This has been an innovative contract that has evolved significantly over the last 30 years. We’re proud to continue supporting the borough’s environmental ambitions.”
Councillor Tyler Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste at Kirklees Council said: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with SUEZ for another two years that will take us to three decades of keeping Kirklees cleaner and greener. Through this partnership we have achieved important recycling milestones and as we plan how we can enable people in Kirklees to recycle more, we hope to inch closer to our target of zero emissions by 2038.”