Edge Hill University have implemented a brand new way of managing waste across the large Ormskirk-based campus, following commencement in working with Carbon Neutral waste management company B&M Waste Services in 2016. The result has been 100% diversion of waste from landfill, and a less disruptive movement of waste across the campus, as well as more informative and detailed waste data to allow measurement of success.
Tina Hanson of Edge Hill said “When assessing the previous waste management scheme B&M identified a number of shortfalls including a significant carbon footprint, disturbance and noise nuisance to residents, congestion on site, lack of detailed waste data and limited control of waste output. The University chose B&M given their innovative Total Waste Management solution being proposed and the fact that using B&M meant the indirect carbon footprint would be zero, given B&M Waste’s Carbon Neutral status. Mobilisation has run smoothly and we’re very happy with the 100% landfill diversion result.”
Mick Ashall, Director of B&M Waste commented, “The new waste and recycling programme was built upon the idea of introducing one central waste collection point; the mini recycling centre. Two dedicated waste operatives have been implanted on campus five days a week to collect the waste from each location where the vehicles would previously have emptied the bins. Using an electric truck and trailer they bring each waste container (a mix of general waste, paper and cardboard, dry mixed recycling, food waste and glass waste bins) to the mini recycling centre for sorting. This has increased recycling levels and also minimised disruption and noise across the campus, and also reduce the Universities’ carbon footprint due to less frequent collections required, and the electric truck having a much lower impact on the environment than the previous diesel truck.”
Mick continued “Edge Hill facilities team as well as other staff, residents and campus visitors have all bought into the new scheme really proactively which has aided the success. It’s great to see Universities leading the way in sustainable waste management solutions, and as with our other University clients including Liverpool John Moores and Chester University, we encourage all other Universities to contact us for a free audit to see how they too may improve environmental impact of their waste as well as develop cost-efficiencies through doing this.”
As much waste as possible is separated for recycling at Edge Hill. B&M then use ‘Refuse Derived Fuel’ technology to process any remaining non-recyclable waste at a combined heat and power station to generate green energy as opposed to sending the waste to landfill sites
Mick continued “The result at Edge Hill of 100% diversion of waste from landfill, increased recycling levels, and subsequent carbon savings equivalent to 142 trees and 77,000 car miles saved in the first 6 months through using our Carbon Neutral service is extremely impressive, and something which we urge all education establishments to consider via our free waste audit.”
If you’re a university or a business based in Liverpool, drop us a line and see how you could start saving both money and the environment through recycling-led waste management. From SME’s to national businesses, we provide a free waste audit and quote.