News updates written by CIWM’s commercial partners.
Greyparrot | KSI Recycling boost recovery by 10% with a single Greyparrot Analyzer insight
KSI Recycling — one of the Netherlands’ largest plastic recyclers — have shared results from AI waste analytics deployment at their facility in Heerenveen.
The Dutch recycler was an early adopter of the Greyparrot Analyzer system, and have used the real-time data it provides to optimise their processes for the past X years.
One recently-revealed test helped them boost material recovery by 10% and remain within compliance boundaries, which Process Engineer Tjerk Wiersma shared with Greyparrot’s team.
Real-time data removes the guesswork from process improvements
KSI Recycling processes over 65,000 tonnes of plastic packaging annually. To do it, they take a data-first approach, and are frequently testing their processes to
identify potential improvements. Before adopting Greyparrot’s Analyzer system, however, experiments were limited by manual sampling timelines — with results taking up to three weeks to analyse.
“Now we can do several tests in a single shift,” said Wiersma. “Instead of overloading our team with multiple tests at a time, we get live data.”
That shift has already proved impactful. With real-time insights into residue line composition, Wiersma tested the impact of cleaning sorting machinery during shifts to understand whether the associated downtime paid off in overall yield. Instead of waiting weeks for an answer, he had it within a day.
A simple test leading to a major operational improvement
During the test, KSI’s team deliberately skipped machinery cleaning during a morning shift, to measure the impact of dirty infrastructure on sorting.
As the shift progressed and machinery became dirtier, live Analyzer data showed a clear increase in the amount of recyclable plastics reaching the residue line — pushing composition beyond the 15% regulatory threshold and risking penalties.
During the afternoon shift, Wiersma asked his team to clean machinery around the point in the morning shift when plastic levels had started to increase. The difference in performance became clear before the shift had even ended: the amount of non-residue material remained consistent throughout the shift:
For Wiersma, live data made a clear business case for a more frequent cleaning: “Cleaning helped us maintain higher performance, and ensured less valuable material ended up in residue,” he said. “Before this, we were seeing plastic and other recyclable materials rise to around 30% of our residue lines. Now we’re consistently keeping that number below 20%, and staying within regulatory limits.”
Towards smarter, human-led automation
The residue line test was just one example from KSI’s continuous experimentation and improvement. Wiersma’s team now uses Greyparrot data to adjust NIR parameters, change separator angles, and make informed staffing decisions. As a company that prioritises culture and upskilling its staff, they made it clear that the goal isn’t just automation — it’s an aid to human expertise.
“Before, shift leaders had to make decisions based on intuition. Now they have the power to make those decisions with facts,” Wiersma said. “We use AI to help the people we already work with become even better. AI-powered robots can’t clean equipment, but they can help us decide when to clean it.”
Greyparrot’s team sees this simple example as a model representing AI’s wider transformation of material recovery operations.
“This case shows what’s possible when facility staff combine operational curiosity with detailed insight into their material flows” said Greyparrot COO Gaspard Duthilleul. “By giving teams the power to iterate on processes in real time, we’re helping them identify data-backed opportunities for improvement.”
Read the full case study here.
Fleetclear | Fleetclear demonstrates AI-powered solutions at the APSE Aviemore show
Fleetclear will be showcasing its new AI-driven product range at the forthcoming APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar 2025 taking place on 20-23 May in Aviemore.
Visitors can explore the company’s new range of AI powered safety systems, which will be fully operational for live demonstrations on a brand-new refuse vehicle at the show.
These include the recently launched Live Lane Information System (LLIS), which protects waste collection crews working next to live traffic lanes, and the Vehicle Lift Information System (VLIS) ensuring the safe operation of bin lift technology.
In addition, the vehicle has been equipped with Fleetclear’s market leading safety products including the Cyclear
prevent cyclist safety warning system, LIVE DVR camera systems, tracking and warning light boards.
Jason Maddern,Head of Municipal UK Fleetclear who will be attending the show said: “Delegates will be able to interact with our products in an operational environment and see our new range of AI-enhanced products in action.
“We will also be demonstrating our popular Fleetclear Connect software platform, which is very user friendly and brings all the information together on one platform, to simplify and streamline fleet management.
“We have extensive experience working in partnership with councils and private fleet operators in the UK and we understand the challenges they face. Our systems have been built with this in mind, and our focus is on helping our customers stay compliant, reduce risks and operate more efficiently.”
Why Fleetclear? With over a decade of expertise delivering credible solutions proven in the field, Fleetclear helps fleets operate safely, efficiently and responsibly. With fully qualified in-house engineers and leading after sales support and warranties, Fleetclear is your fleet safety partner.
VEV | VEV and Maritime Transport to deliver first phase of truck charging infrastructure
VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol, has partnered with the UK’s leading provider of integrated road and rail freight logistics, Maritime Transport, to install high-powered electric truck chargers at three Maritime sites in Wakefield, Doncaster, and Tilbury.
The infrastructure will support the introduction of battery-electric HGVs into Maritime’s fleet later this year, and play a central role in the Company’s strategy to own and operate the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country.
Installations are now in advanced stages of build at Mill Lane in Wakefield and London Distribution Park in Tilbury, with works due to commence shortly at iPort in Doncaster. These are the first sites in Maritime’s network to be electrified for zero-emission HGV operations. A total of 17 chargers are being installed across the three locations, with commissioning set to conclude in May. These installations form the initial phase of Maritime’s electrification journey, with additional charging infrastructure to be delivered through separate ZEHID projects at nine further port and rail-connected depots over the course of the year. Once fully operational, the network is expected to provide 16.5MW of installed power, enabling simultaneous charging for up to 98 battery-electric trucks, with unit capacity ranging from 100kW to 1MW.
As Maritime’s appointed electrification partner for this phase of the rollout, VEV is delivering end-to-end site design, infrastructure development, software integration, charger maintenance, and ongoing fleet analysis.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Tom Williams, Maritime Transport:
‘It’s rewarding to see tangible progress being made on our decarbonisation journey. As a leading participant in the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator, Maritime is delivering the infrastructure to support the widescale deployment of battery-electric vehicles. Our partnership with VEV has been instrumental in this phase of the rollout, combining technical expertise with the scale and ambition of our network. This marks a major step forward in building a cleaner, more sustainable full-load supply chain and strengthening the support we offer to customers as they reduce emissions across their operations.’
Mike Nakrani, Chief Executive Officer, VEV:
‘This is a complex programme, but one with all the ingredients for success from the start, in terms of government backing and great leadership from the team at Maritime. The results of the VEV-Maritime partnership speak for themselves – the biggest network of EV charge points for the transport sector, the largest articulated EV fleet in the country, and a key step in the UK’s electrification journey.’
*Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are the backbone of the UK’s supply chain, but they also account for a significant 20% of domestic transport CO2 emissions. As the nation races toward its net zero emissions target by 2050, decarbonising HGVs presents one of the toughest – yet most critical – challenges. The Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, backed by circa £200m in funding from the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, is rising to meet this challenge. With a bold vision to deploy around 350 of the heaviest battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on UK roads, the programme will also fund and support over 70 public and depot-based infrastructure installations by 2030. This pioneering effort will not only accelerate the transition to zero-emission logistics but will also deliver transformative environmental and economic benefits.
The ZEHID programme unfolds in two key phases:
- Procurement and Infrastructure Development (2024–2026):Building the foundation with critical charging and refuelling infrastructure.
- On-Road Demonstration (2026–2031):Real-world trials of zero-emission HGVs, testing their capabilities in various duty cycles and operational scenarios.
Maritime is playing a leading role in ZEHID, taking part in three of the programme’s four pioneering projects: Electric Freightway, eFREIGHT 2030, and ZENFreight. Through these projects, the company will integrate over 50 battery-electric trucks into its fleet.
Nuclear Waste Services | Progress to dispose of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste highlighted at Energy and Climate Change event
How NWS can help move the clean energy agenda forward was among the topics debated by key players in the sector.
How NWS can help move the clean energy agenda forward was among the topics debated by key players in the sector.The 2025 New Statesman’s Energy and Climate Change Conference (held on 30th April) brought senior politicians and key nuclear sector leaders together to share their views on the UK’s energy systems, and the implications for the future of the UK economy.
Topics debated included energy security, the role of innovation and technology in the clean energy transition and how we can create green jobs and deliver vital economic growth. How the UK can be an international leader in effectively managing radioactive waste was on the agenda.
NWS’ vision to make the UK’s nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner featured on a panel session. Discussions focused on managing waste efficiently, re-using and recycling waste where possible. This work has saved nearly £900m over the past decade. Panellists also discussed the progress being made delivering a Geological Disposal Facility for the UK’s most radioactive waste, with site evaluations underway and communities engaged in the process.
The panel session included Martin Walkingshaw, Chief Operating Officer at Nuclear Waste Services, Ieuan Williams from Great British Nuclear, Libby Peake from Green Alliance and Elliot Chapman-Jones from Liberals and Democrats for Nature and Climate.
The debate covered topics around how sustainable growth in the UK will involve cutting waste and emissions, while more effectively managing those that are produced. How can we make the vision of a clean energy future a reality?
Martin Walkingshaw, Chief Operating Officer, at Nuclear Waste Services said:
“The event was a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the crucial role NWS plays in ensuring that the UK has a low-carbon, environmentally-responsible and economically-sustainable energy future.”
“Our mission is delivering a vital vision – to make nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner, and since our launch in 2022 we’ve made real progress. We have maintained our award-winning safety record at the Low Level Waste Repository in Cumbria, we have continued to make progress on the delivery of a GDF, and we have achieved multi-million-pound savings on waste management.”
“We’re protecting people and the environment today and taking responsibility for future generations. To move forward with the UK’s plans for nuclear new build, it is key that we effectively manage and dispose of our most hazardous radioactive waste and a GDF is internationally recognised as the best solution. “
Jobs and skills was a key topic favoured for discussion at the event, especially in the circular economy sector. Panellists shone a light on the benefits waste management facilities already bring to local economies and the transformative opportunities that a GDF could bring a community through the jobs and skills, and investment.
Ieuan Williams, Head of Stakeholder and Media Relations at Great British Nuclear, was also on the panel speaking about the importance of planning nuclear new build with decommissioning taken into account from the outset.
“New nuclear projects are being designed with decommissioning in mind from the start, and the costs built in from day one.”
He added: “We know where all of our waste is, and we have an amazing team looking after it.”
“With nuclear power, we’ve got a huge opportunity to decarbonise both the electricity grid and industry. On a broader scale, we’ve recently seen some incredible leaps with nuclear fusion around the world.”
NWS is part of the NDA group, which has a mission to safely, securely and sustainably decommission the UK’s oldest nuclear sites, leaving them ready for their next use.
NWS works alongside NDA group operating companies, Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), to safely manage radioactive waste already created to enable the UK Government’s net zero ambition by preparing to provide a permanent solution for the most hazardous future radioactive waste.
Decommissioning the UK’s nuclear legacy is a complex undertaking and relies on the full range of expertise and skills within the NDA group. The NDA group brings together the best of the UK’s expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
Augean | Augean’s New Automated Decontamination Unit Unveiled
Augean, true to its objectives of driving innovation and increased sustainability, unveiled its new automated tubular decontamination unit at its Blackdog site last week to customers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders.
Augean has invested £750,000 in upgrading its Blackdog facilities, enhancing its specialist infrastructure to deliver the highest level of environmental protection for treating and recovering offshore wastes.
Through its sites in Aberdeen, Augean has a strong track record in providing services for environmentally sound decommissioning and disposal of waste materials, including Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), to a range of clients that ensure offshore equipment and any waste materials arising are handled compliantly in the most sustainable way.
NORM waste commonly arises through drilling processes, and while the material’s radiation levels are often little more than the background radiation levels present in the natural environment, they still need to be managed properly.
Augean commissioned engineering specialists Taylor Engineering & Son, who, in conjunction with an Augean project team, have met the challenges of developing a bespoke decontamination system that is fully automated for operator safety and yields impressive results with non-man entry into the decontamination chamber.
To avoid contaminating clean tubulars, there are separate entry and exit points for contaminated and decontaminated tubulars. Clean materials are sent to a metal recycler, and the metal is either recycled or reused in the construction industry for pilings, which positively contributes to the circular economy. Even the container housing for the decontamination unit was re-purposed from another Augean sites and upcycled in one of the brand colours.
Peter Marioni, Chief Operating Officer for Augean North East Scotland, said, “We are really excited by what the new decontamination unit will be able to offer existing and new customers. This underlines our approach to stop looking at decommissioning as a waste material handling challenge and instead to look at it as an opportunity to recover valuable material resources”
Wood Recyclers’ Association | WRA welcomes call for evidence on Greenhouse Gas Removals
The Wood Recyclers’ Association has welcomed the launch of an independent review into Greenhouse Gas Removals, after a call for evidence was issued on 16 May.
The review, first announced in March and led by Dr Alan Whitehead CBE – the former shadow Minister for Climate Change and Net Zero – will explore how GGRs will play a significant role in supporting the UK to reach net zero.
The WRA’s Richard Coulson said: “We welcome this review and call for evidence which comes at a time when our biomass members need urgent clarity over the business models and linking policies which will support greenhouse gas removals in future.
“Importantly, the call for evidence asks about the barriers to and enablers for GGR deployment in the UK.
“Biomass plants powered by waste wood have significant potential to retrofit carbon capture and storage technology (BECCS) – a key greenhouse gas removals technology – however policy stagnation continues to hamper these efforts.
“It is critical that we have urgent clarity over future support for waste wood biomass to enable these plants to transition to carbon capture and storage technology following the expiry of ROCs from 2027.
“Our members currently save 700,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and this could rise to an incredible 3.6 million tonnes a year* if retrofitted with carbon capture and storage technology (BECCS) – equivalent to over 15% of the UK’s previous 2035 negative emissions target.”
The Call for Evidence also asks about the cost of deploying GGRs, approaches for transitioning away from public investment and how GGRs could play a role in energy security.
Richard commented: “As well as providing an important environmental service, waste wood powered biomass plants deliver secure, thermal baseload power which will become increasingly important as the UK transitions to more intermittent sources of renewable energy.
“Furthermore, plants with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) offer a low-cost solution, in future being able to trade freely with links to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and voluntary carbon markets.”
He concluded: “The WRA has been advocating for these policy solutions for many years, and we have now reached a crucial moment where some of our members will soon come out of the ROCs system. We need to break down the barriers now and need urgent, timely decision making.”
Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques sponsors awards celebrating the people of Lancashire and the North West
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Security specialists, Vision Techniques, are sponsoring the AV and Sounds at this years The Freshies.
The Freshies, created by Fresh Perspective, a recruitment partner, were brought to life after the pandemic to celebrate and bring some positivity back to the region.
This year Vision Techniques has decided to sponsor the awards so they can also celebrate the hard work of businesses and people in their local communities.
The awards will be taking place at Rivington Barn on June 20 – and the team at VT can’t wait to be involved.
Managing Director Dave Smith said: “We are proud to be sponsoring this years The Freshies to celebrate the wonderful people who have been nominated for awards.
“Being based in Lancashire and the North West it is great to see other businesses and people doing incredible things for their local communities and making a real difference right on our doorstep.
“We can’t wait to celebrate on the night, good luck to everyone who is up for an award.”
Vision Techniques are the innovative driving force in vehicle safety and security systems, protecting not only vehicles but also the lives of employees, the public and the environments they operate in.
Loved by some of the largest fleets in the UK, Vision Techniques’ products are influencing and changing safety and security standards across industries daily.
EPIC Media | Epic Media Champions Greener Print Practices in Fleet Branding
With increasing pressure on local authorities and waste contractors throughout the UK to decarbonise operations and enhance environmental performance, Kent-based vehicle graphics expert EPIC Media sets a benchmark by integrating sustainability into each phase of its fleet branding process.
From the wraps they print to the packaging they repurpose, EPIC Media is committed to reducing waste and minimising the environmental footprint of commercial vehicle graphics.
At the heart of this approach is a shift away from traditional solvent-based print technology. EPIC Media uses latex printers, which rely on water-based inks rather than harmful solvents. This is a change that has improved both environmental and workplace safety.
“We chose latex printing because it offers brilliant colour, durability, and clarity, but without the environmental cost,” says Kevin Murton, Founder and Senior Business Advisor at EPIC Media. “For local authorities and contractors working hard to lower their emissions, it’s vital that every supplier in the chain does their part. We take that responsibility seriously.”
Why Latex Printing Makes a Difference
Unlike eco-solvent inks, which still emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), latex inks are non-toxic, water-based, and safe for indoor and outdoor use. This technology reduces harmful emissions and energy consumption during production, aligning with the UK’s broader green goals.
According to DEFRA’s Greening Government Commitments report (2023), government departments and arms-length bodies must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2032. Sustainable procurement and supplier choices, like EPIC’s latex-based approach, will play a critical role in meeting those targets.
Beyond the Printer: Waste Reduction in Packaging
EPIC Media also focuses on everyday sustainability by reusing and repurposing packaging materials. The sturdy boxes and protective wrapping used to deliver vinyl rolls are saved and reused to send completed jobs to clients. This cuts down on waste, reduces single-use plastics, and extends the lifecycle of materials.
This hands-on approach complements the goals of WRAP’s UK Plastics Pact, which encourages businesses to design out waste and keep materials in use.
“Sustainability isn’t always about big gestures. It’s often the small, consistent actions that make the biggest difference,” adds Kevin. “We encourage our clients to think the same way. Vehicle wraps are long-lasting and high-impact, and a smart, sustainable communications choice.”
Supporting Greener Fleets, One Wrap at a Time
Whether it’s helping councils deliver fly-tipping crackdowns or rolling out behavioural change campaigns, EPIC Media’s wraps are designed for visual impact and practical longevity, while keeping sustainability in mind at every stage.
With an increasing number of councils and contractors adopting environmental frameworks like ISO 14001 or Net Zero Action Plans, EPIC Media is a vehicle graphics partner that aligns with their goals, without compromising on quality or creativity.
Valpak | GAP Group North East celebrating 20 years in business with the Tour de Fridge cycle challenge
GAP Group North Easts, 20 years in the electrical waste (WEEE) disposal and recycling sector is being celebrated in style with the Tour de Fridge challenge, a 210 mile cycling event with 75 cyclists taking part in one or more legs over 4 days.
GAP’s business trajectory has witnessed dynamic environmentally sustainable growth over the years and it has chosen this moment to celebrate its achievements when about to open one of the world’s most technologically advanced fridge reprocessing plants near Perth in Scotland to accompany GAP’s existing reprocessing plants in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
This will bring together fridge recycling services across Scotland and the rest of the UK and significantly increases capacity across the two sites to more than 1.3 million fridges a year more than 40% of the UK’s total annual requirement.
The cycle challenge is launching from Gateshead on the 20 May and involves 4 legs over four days reaching it’s destination on 23 May, with cyclists accompanying the first fridge on its long journey from Gateshead to be reprocessed by the new facility near Perth, Scotland operated by their Scottish arm called GAP Alba.
Peter Moody Group Chief Executive of GAP Group Limited said: “Our Tour de Fridge challenge is a celebration of 20 years in business for our partners, customers and friends of GAP Group North East (and GAP Alba) and all our staff who work tirelessly to achieve our ambitious goals. It is at a time when we are witnessing the fruition of our sustainable growth plans and a recognition of how far we have come and how appreciated everyone’s hard-work is in achieving our current and future ambitions.
“In addition we are focused on achieving our donations target for children and young people’s charity Changing Lives for Pick Up Penny addressing the current crisis in mental health with its inspirational founder Sara Young taking part in every leg of our Tour de Fridge challenge.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to every rider, sponsor, and donor who has already supported this cause.”
James Armitage, Director of Procurement at Valpak, the UK’s leading packaging compliance scheme, provider of environmental solutions and resource management services, said: “Valpak is proud to have supported and sponsored the GAP Tour de Fridge. It’s been a brilliant event to celebrate 20 years of GAP, the opening of GAP Alba and to raise money for Changing Minds with Pick up a Penny. They have brought together all areas of the sector for this celebration.
“Valpak has worked with GAP for a long time. They have a track record of fantastic customer service, innovation and growth. We’ve approached them with multiple challenges over the years and they have risen to them all. The opening of GAP Alba introduces an exceptionally high level of circularity and environmental standards to Scotland, and will enable all of our Scottish local authority fridges to be recycled in the country.”
Kate Osborne MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East said: “I’m so proud that GAP Group NE is part of our North East green revolution, the North East is leading the way in the green economy and it is thanks to businesses like GAP who are investing in new technology and opening new plants, greening our way to growth.
“It was great to see so many bikes and officially start the Tour de Fridge, a first for me seeing a fridge on a bike!
“I want to congratulate GAP for their 20 years in business and their sustainable growth plans, and thanks to Peter and all the staff here who have worked so hard to make this happen whilst raising money for children’s mental health charity Changing Minds with Pick Up a Penny.”
Optimo | Optimo selected as finalist at 2025 Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards.
Optimo, a specialist operations consultancy, was honoured to be named a finalist in the Micro Business (up to 10 employees) category at the 2025 Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards, held on 24 April at Swinton Park, Ripon.
Optimo, a specialist operations consultancy, was honoured to be named a finalist in the Micro Business (up to 10 employees) category at the 2025 Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards, held on 24 April at Swinton Park, Ripon.Organised by TheBusinessDesk.com in partnership with Clarion, Deloitte, and the Swinton Estate, the awards celebrate organisations across Yorkshire making permanent and positive changes to their environmental impact. Optimo’s shortlisting reflects its commitment to helping sustainability-focused clients maximise their impact and its use of their platforms and networks to encourage action around more sustainable business practices.
As a micro business, Optimo’s recognition in the awards underscores the significant impact that even smaller businesses can have in driving sustainable change. Through tailored operational strategies, Optimo supports waste sector organisations in enhancing efficiency, reducing environmental impact and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
While Optimo did not win the award in their category, being shortlisted alongside other innovative businesses highlights the importance of operational excellence in achieving sustainability goals. This acknowledgment serves as a testament to the vital role that professional services firms play in supporting the transition towards a more sustainable future.
WasteRecruit | The curse of fly-tipping
Is there a green skills solution for this very human problem?
Is there a green skills solution for this very human problem?An overturned bin on the corner, a small truck dumping rubbish along the roadside. What’s the harm in that? Perhaps people think it doesn’t matter, it’s just one small load after all. However, those small loads have added up to 1,15 million fly-tipping incidents in 2024. Even if the loads are small, that’s a significant amount of illegal dumping.
The majority of these loads are household waste, left for someone else to deal with. And the results?
- Recycling centres are closing because of it.
- Ground and water contamination is escalating.
- Health impacts on communities are broadening.
- Economic costs to deal with illegal dumping are increasing.
- Apathy towards environmental issues is becoming commonplace.
Fly-tipping at its core is a very human problem. One for which there doesn’t appear to be any short-term solution. There have been suggestions to confiscate and crush the vehicles of offenders, but that requires apprehending them in the first place.
Statistics highlights that 28% of loads were a car boot size, 31% a small lorry load. Combined this accounts for more than half of fly-tipping that is happening randomly, all over the country. The sheer scale of the problem highlights that policing efforts have done little to deter these illegal actions. What can?
Can the waste sector influence human behaviour change?
A Defra study conducted in 2021 made some interesting findings relating to fly-tipping. One of the outlying factors is that many people simply don’t know what to do with DIY waste, for example: They may try take it to a local recycling depot only to be told it can’t be accepted. They may be unsure which bin to place it in so they simply leave it on the sidewalk.
This indicates a lack of awareness rather than intention, and a lack of support and local council facilities. Now councils may deem that handling items that are not easy to process or recycle is far too expensive and that they have neither the facilities nor the funds to deal with them. But when the alternative is contaminated landfill, soil and water, investing in solutions may well be the lesser economic cost in the long term.
From 2023 to 2024 the cost to local councils of cleaning up illegal dumping was £13.1 million. Consider the impact if those funds could rather be diverted to projects aimed at preventing fly-tipping. Expansion of local facilities with the capabilities to process items often found in fly-tipping, communication programmes aimed at educating and engaging communities, investment in reuse and refurbishment centres that get the community actively involved in diverting waste from landfill.
Now the argument may be that there are still people who knowingly dump materials illegally and that attempting community engagement with those people will have little impact. This may be true, legal enforcement and penalties may be the only deterrents for repeat offenders. However, preventing the actions of those unintentionally adding to the problem can significantly reduce the volumes and incidents of fly-tipping. This is what’s needed to turn the tide.
Can developing green skills help solve the fly-tipping problem?
Dealing with fly-tipping will require a multi-pronged approach, leveraging expertise from multiple waste sectors: local councils, legal experts, policy makers, collections agencies, processing facilities, communications experts and more.
While green skills is a very broad term it’s very quickly filtering into almost every aspect of every business. Take for example the subject of product design. Someone with green skills may understand the importance of considering end of life for a product when designing it – how it will be disposed of or how it could be recycled or repurposed once it’s usefulness in its current form has ended.
Design considerations, including materials used and how components are combined has a major impact on how easy they are to recycle – keeping in mind that most fly-tipping incidents result from the high costs or difficulty in recycling materials. If these can be avoided through better design that’s already creating a solution that could prevent future fly-tipping.
Equally a communications expert that understands human behaviour and environmental issues can identify ways to engage businesses and communities so that they’re encouraged to properly dispose of unwanted items. This takes skill, because the old rhetoric of “It’s bad for the planet” is so overused that nobody listens to it anymore. Getting people to act requires them seeing a benefit for themselves – one that is tangible, not an abstract ideal.
Fly-tipping is a human problem. Legislation may help, technology may help, but ultimately, it’ll take a human oriented solution to drive a change in behaviour. The more green skills are embedded into every role and every company, the more awareness grows, and with it a solutions-oriented outlook. We already know about the economic and community impacts of fly-tipping, that hasn’t been enough to deter this negligent human behaviour. But a green skills focus – that might.
For queries contact Nick Eva, MD at WasteRecruit on phone: 01252 353 080 or email: nick@wasterecruit.com. WasteRecruit is a trusted partner, recruiting green skills for the renewables and resource sectors since 2003. Skills-based assessment was developed by WasteRecruit to meet the hiring needs of these rapidly changing sectors.
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