THE private firm which handles waste from the Helensburgh and Lomond area for Argyll and Bute Council has withdrawn from its contract with the authority – and there are only a few days left to put a new provider in place.

Barr Environmental Ltd (BEL) will cease providing services to Argyll and Bute Council on March 31.

Officials from the authority say they’re in talks with other providers – and insist that a new contractor will be in place to take up the service at the start of April.

A report reveals that Barr informed the council in January of its intention to withdraw from its contracts with the authority, and that BEL will “cease to trade” at the end of this month.

The firm handles ‘persistent organic pollution’, wood and residual waste - meaning everything that can't be recycled and has to be incinerated or sent to landfill - from Helensburgh and Lomond, as well as residual waste from Tiree.

Council officers are also demanding a decision soon on a derogation from the Scottish Government regarding its PPP waste contract for the rest of the area.

The PPP contract will not be valid with the planned landfill ban for its final nine months before expiry in September 2026.

The details are contained in a report which will go before the council’s environment, development and infrastructure (EDI) committee on Thursday, March 21.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “This report provides an update regarding the council’s request to Scottish Government for a derogation for the council’s PPP contract and also informs members that the existing third party off-taker for the Helensburgh and Lomond area will cease to trade from March 31, 2024, meaning that new arrangements have to be put in place.

“BEL issued a notice to the council on January 10 informing the council of their intent to withdraw from contracts on March 31.

“The contracts included the disposal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and wood from Helensburgh and Lomond, and residual waste from Helensburgh and Lomond, and Tiree.

“Officers continue to engage with other providers and will have a replacement provider contracted by April 1.”

Ms Flanagan added: “Officers have informed Scottish Government officials that the ‘drop dead date’ for a decision regarding the derogation is April 5.

“This date has been specified to enable necessary briefings to be carried out and a report to be prepared for members consideration at the June 2024 EDI committee.

“The committee will be formally asked to approve an approach at its June meeting, if a derogation has not been granted, whereby the contract with Renewi is varied.

“This contract variation will involve Renewi converting the existing mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plants to waste transfer stations in Oban, Lochgilphead and Dunoon.

“General waste will then be taken to third party off takers for Energy from Waste (EfW) feed stock rather than being processed with residual being landfilled.

“This approach will also futureproof the council’s waste service in line with the BMW (biodegradable municipal waste) ban.”