Hampshire waste plant plan to boost home recycling wins £50m
Hampshire's two existing MRFs in Alton and Portsmouth cannot process the full range of items prescribed by the government, councillors were told.The new plant would allow glass, plastic pots, plastic trays and cartons to be placed in home recycling bins for the first time.
Households would have up to four recycling containers for different items, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.The council will borrow the money, "supported by a robust business case to be submitted for approval in due course", a meeting of the Universal Services select committee was told.However, Green Party councillor Malcolm Wallace said: "I am uncertain about supporting a recommendation that gives officers the approval to spend £50m without seeing the business case."How can we support the recommendations if we cannot scrutinise the cost?"Following the meeting, Councillor Kirsty North approved the county council funding, which is about 77% of the plant's cost.The Conservative cabinet member for Universal Services said it was a "momentous first step" towards reducing waste incineration and cutting carbon emissions.
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