East Herts and North Herts Councils have appointed Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, to deliver recycling and waste collections and street cleansing services as part of a new £108m eight-year contract which started on 4 May 2025.
The new contract provides recycling and waste collections and street cleansing services for residents across East and North Hertfordshire. Increasing recycling will be a key priority, as well as delivering more sustainable services to support East and North Hertfordshire Councils’ ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Recycling capacity will be increased through the introduction of a separate bin dedicated to paper and cardboard, and the acceptance of plastic film in dry mixed recycling which also includes glass, metal and plastic items such as tubs and trays.
Weekly food waste collections, which are already available in North Herts, will be introduced to homes across East Herts and carried out with new, dedicated collection vehicles. This will not only increase residents’ access to recycling but ensure compliance with upcoming Simpler Recycling policy changes.
Veolia will introduce new electric street cleansing equipment in high footfall areas like town centres to maximise efficiency and to reduce the number of sacks left on busy streets and in pedestrian areas.
As a leader in the decarbonisation of municipal recycling and waste services, Veolia is supporting East Herts and North Herts Councils’ net zero ambitions with alternative fuels, using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for larger collection vehicles, combined with the electrification of smaller vehicles in the fleet to minimise carbon emissions.
Veolia’s investment in the community will be prioritised through the introduction of Veolia’s Sustainability Fund and Orchard schemes locally, and a dedicated Education, Communication and Outreach Lead will deliver strong social value commitments with a focus on employment opportunities for local residents and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Pascal Hauret, Managing Director for Municipal at Veolia, said: “It’s so exciting to be beginning our new recycling and waste collections and street cleansing contract in partnership with East and North Hertfordshire Councils. We’re particularly pleased to be returning to districts we know well with the commencement of this new contract. We aim to enhance collection services and improve street cleanliness, whilst supporting the Councils on their journey to net-zero by decarbonising our operations through the introduction of new collection vehicles and electric street cleansing equipment.
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with East and North Hertfordshire Councils towards a more sustainable future that will benefit residents across the districts.”
