Collection and Processing of Road Sweeping Wastes from HRC Sites and their Subsequent Recycling and Recovery

The Council operates a Fleet of mechanical road sweepers of various sizes and types, including mini-sweepers and HGV sweepers for the purpose of removing grit and other debris from roads and pavements throughout the District.

The grit and debris sweepings (known as target wastes) can contain liquid wastes and biodegradable wastes.

Disposal of liquid wastes to Landfill is prohibited under the EC Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. Consequently, target wastes in this Contract must be treated to remove water and to ensure legislative compliance.

Wastes as collected conform with the definition of Litter, (Litter and Northern Ireland Order 1994).

Staff assigned to the Road Sweeper Vehicles also service litterbins along their assigned routes, with contents sucked up into the Street Sweeper body.

When at capacity or at the end of a shift the contents of the sweeper vehicles are discharged into containers, located at Household Recycling Centre (HRC) sites.

The Council currently operates 10 no. HRC sites which are located throughout the entire District. However, the collection of Road Sweeping Wastes requirement only relates to 6, namely: Newry, Downpatrick, Warrenpoint, Crossmaglen, Kilkeel and Camlough.