Warwickshire’s recycled road grit saves millions

The county council took the lead on an innovative partnership project which led to a contract with Wolverhampton firm, SITA UK.

SITA has a machine that can handle up to 30,500 tonnes of sand, grit and organic waste a year.

Some 98 per cent of these sweepings can then be re-used in road construction, pipe bedding materials or blended with rock salt and used back on the roads during the winter months.

More importantly, the project means all the authorities can avoid landfill tax - which is set to hit £80 a tonne - and boost recycling rates by at least three per cent.

The other councils involved are Coventry, Solihull, Staffordshire, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire and Leicestershire.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, the county’s portfolio holder for sustainable communities, estimates Warwickshire will save £400,000 a year over the next seven years.

Cllr Cockburn said: “This kind of joined-up working between local authorities will deliver a more efficient service across the Midlands and ultimately save money from the public purse.