Biffa secures extended waste collection and cleaning contract in East Sussex
The East Sussex Joint Waste Partnership - comprising Hastings Borough, Rother District and Wealden District councils - has announced the extension of its current contract with Biffa for waste collection, street and beach cleaning.
The original contract was awarded after a highly competitive process in 2019 with the option to extend for a further seven years. With this option now secured, the councils can continue to experience high service standards at a price they can afford from June 2026 to June 2033.
The contract extension – worth approximately £119m over the seven years - will include improved environmental credentials with the new fleet of waste collection vehicles being operated on hydrotreated vegetable oil - reducing carbon emissions by up to 90% as well as the transition to electric vans and cars.
The extension has been made in good time to permit officers and Biffa, the UK leader in sustainable waste management, to work together on the delivery of the requirements of the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, specifically the introduction of weekly food waste collections to all households from 30 March 2026.
During Biffa’s current term, the councils have experienced an increase in the partnership’s recycling rate from 37% in 2019 to 46% in 2024, as well as a significant drop in missed bin collections.
Local community organisations will also continue to benefit from the Biffa Awards scheme, with successful funding applications already granted within the partnership area, as well as the contract securing local jobs for circa 300 staff, including two apprentices.
It's testament to the strength of our partnership and working relations how we’ve managed to complete a comprehensive extension agreement and delivered what I genuinely believe to be an excellent outcome for the partnership, the communities in Sussex we serve as well as for Biffa, for years to come.
We’re currently working with Biffa as we plan the new weekly food waste collection service which starts in Rother in March 2026. We really appreciate their help and expertise and look forward to continuing this joint working during the remaining years of the contract.
