Opposition councillors have visited the Harewood Whin waste processing site to find out more about how York deals with its waste, prior to a decision being taken on how the city's waste is dealt with in the future.

The council is currently working towards a joint Waste PFI (Private Finance Initiative) deal with North Yorkshire County Council, which would see major changes to refuse and recycling processing over the next 25 years, with a view to saving taxpayers' money.

Labour Neighbourhood Services spokesperson Coun. Ken King said:

"The Harewood Whin site shows how far we have come over the last few years but Labour feels more should be done to reduce the amount that goes to landfill.

"However, we recognise that not everything can be recycled and that when waste is thrown away it must go somewhere. Not only is the practice environmentally damaging, it is also very costly to York taxpayers. We welcome the principles of an Energy from Waste (EfW) plant, but we require further assurances and more detailed information on how the proposed site at Allerton Park will affect recycling targets. The 50% recycling target assumption that forms part of the Waste PFI deal seems unambitious as it stands".

Joining Coun. King on his visit to Harewood Whin were Coun. Tina Funnell, the new Chair of St Nicholas Fields, a local environment reserve that plays a significant role in landfill reduction in the city, and Labour Group leader, Coun. James Alexander. The visit was organised after Coun. Alexander realised the scale of the city's landfill operation following his time spent on the bins.

Coun. Alexander is requesting visits to both the proposed EfW site at Allerton Park and the council's recycling facility at Hessay before the Labour Group takes a decision on what will be one of the council's biggest financial commitments in its history.