Musgrave Group has signed a €4 million contract with Advanced Environmental Solutions (AES) to recycle and process 80 per cent of its waste in the midlands for five years.
The firms said in a statement that up to 60 per cent of waste at 23 Musgrave sites in Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly would be recycled in the first year of the contract. AES will be responsible for the collection, recycling and disposal of up to 2,000 tonnes of waste produced at SuperValu and Centra franchise outlets linked to Musgrave.
There is a two-year extension option on the deal, which will involve the recycling of all paper, cardboard and plastic from landfill disposal. Food waste will also be composted.
The managing director at Musgrave SuperValu-Centra, Mr Michael Nason, said the development would help the group reach its target for 80 per cent waste recycling by 2008. Stores would reduce their waste bill by 30 per cent, implying annual savings of up to €15,000 stating that certain large outlets spent some €50,000 every year on waste management.
The senior environmental officer at AES, Dr John MacNamara, said the contract would provide a one-stop-shop waste management solution.
"Much of this waste now will be prevented by re-use, reduction and recycling," he said.
