Integrated Service and Treatment Modelling

The CEC team has a broad base of experience in conducting surveys and data gathering, this includes micro- and macro-economic, market, data and strategic analysis for the waste and resource management sector across Scotland.  The Centre has undertaken research projects for the Scottish Government, all 32 Scottish Councils, COSLA, WRAP, Zero Waste Scotland, the third sector and the private sector.  This experience has enabled CEC to develop an unrivalled understanding of Scottish markets, policy, regulation, operational and industry contexts.

The Centre has developed a bespoke modelling system that projects the recycling performance of proposed collection systems and the additional cost required for implementation and ongoing operation.  The model can be tailored to provide clients with any specified key indicators required.  The Centre can also utilise flexible bespoke modelling tools to analyse the costs and impacts of waste management facilities such as IVC, MRFs, AD and residual treatment options. The Centre informs the modelling of potential improvement through experience of its staff and the research of infrastructure and performance across Scotland, UK and European Local Authorities. 

The modelling system is a Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic based system that uses specified input criteria to run a series of tailored options and provides the outputs required.  This output can be fed directly into a series of bespoke documents or used however clients require.  The model system takes all the assumptions and inputs and puts them through a series of options in each case providing appropriate outputs. 

Some examples of quantitative outputs could include:

• Overall cost;
• Cost per tonne;
• Percentages of recycling;
• Tracking of BMW content both from recycled materials and the remaining fraction.

Other more qualitative outputs might include:

• Targets;
• Comparisons either individually or against defined targets;
• Areas of improvement, efficiency, savings, profitability;
• Information for strategic and future planning.