FCC Environment

Thank you TRS BV!

In October 2024, FCC Environment once again won several British Safety Council awards recognising both the hard work of the operational teams on the ground and the tireless efforts of the SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality) team in reinforcing and enhancing excellence in performance and behaviours across their business. On receiving the award, Paul Stokes, Head of Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ) said: “We are thrilled to have received these awards, taking us to an unprecedented 5 Swords of Honour. The team is committed to upholding the highest health and safety standards and we are proud to be recognised for all our hard work.” But what is the story behind these successes? FCC Environment first approached British Safety Council in 2016, because, as well as their ISO accreditations (45001, 14001, 50001, 9001) they wanted to specifically benchmark the health and safety standards in their 218 operational sites. Working closely with British Safety Council’s dedicated account manager / auditor, they identified where they were, where they wanted to be and what it would take to get there. Paul Stokes continues, “British Safety Council have been fantastic with us, it’s great to have the dialogue where we exchange ideas as to what we need and what will work best rather than just look at an off-the-shelf solution.” Since that first approach, FCC Environment has continuously developed its health and safety systems, working with British Safety Council to include environmental, sustainability, and wellbeing audits. Victoria Traves, Lead EFW H&S Manager, says, “Our teams are looking to improve. There is a real keenness to have the external audits done, and to continually improve by implementing the recommendations made by the British Safety Council Auditors. Paul Stokes sums up the FCC journey with British Safety Council by saying, British Safety Council is a world-renowned organisation, working with them has helped us to deliver a truly world-class management system.” From the time we underwent our first audits [with British Safety Council], I think we’ve worked hard to maintain that success. It’s great to know that our systems continue to operate at a premium all the time. It keeps our safety culture at the top of the safety maturity ladder and plus it's always nice to get some recognition. This year, FCC’s Lincolnshire EfW facility in North Hykeham, and the Landfill & Quarries Division, were both awarded the ultimate prize, a Sword of Honour following maximum five-star audit results earlier in the year. This award is for companies which have demonstrated excellence in the management of health and safety risks at work. You can read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eD_EUhBk

Great to be featured as a British Safety Council case study, read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/exNNTha4

At FCC we love a good partnership!

Have a read of our latest blog and let us know what you think about EPR: FCC hail ‘much-needed’ EPR regulations Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a game-changer for the waste and recycling industry and its been a long time coming. EPR will finally hold producers accountable for the costs of collecting, recycling, or disposing of the packaging they place on the market. The 1st of April this year marked the deadline for businesses to submit their packaging data for 2024, with fees due in October 2025. EPR is designed to push packaging manufacturers and businesses towards using materials that are easier to recycle. Lower fees will be levied on environmentally friendly materials, while higher fees will target less sustainable options. The money generated through EPR, expected to be around £1.5 billion, will be funnelled to local councils to improve recycling services in their areas. In the UK, over 10 million tonnes of packaging waste are produced every year, with almost two-thirds of it being recoverable. However, the current system has for too long only covered around 10% of the total cost of managing post-use packaging waste (source). With EPR, local authorities will receive more funding to cover these costs, which should lead to higher recycling rates and less waste going to landfill. The introduction of EPR is a much-needed intervention in the move towards a more circular economy. For too long, many producers have used materials that are costly and difficult to recycle. This marks a pivotal moment in encouraging them to use packaging that is friendlier to the planet. Real change won't happen without EPR. If used correctly, the funds generated will stimulate major investment into the recycling sector, bringing improvements for communities across the UK. Coupled with other reforms, such as Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, we will see a step change in recycling across the country. Less waste will go to landfill, and our recycling rate will begin to climb, reversing the recent stagnation and backsliding.

♻️🌍 Did You Know? 🌍♻️ FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading waste and resource management companies, with: ✅ 4,000+ employees across the UK ✅ 1.5+ million tonnes of material recycled each year ✅ A network of Energy from Waste plants generating energy ✅ Hazardous waste treatment, composting, and soil treatment facilities ✅ 200+ locations nationwide ✅ A vast network of approved suppliers to offer tailored recycling, waste treatment, and sustainability solutions With this scale and expertise, we help businesses of all sizes find the best-fit solutions for their waste and sustainability goals - whether it's improving recycling rates, reducing costs, or achieving environmental targets. 💡 How can we support your sustainability plan? ✉ Get in Touch: CI.Sales@fccenvironment.co.uk #Sustainability #Recycling #WasteManagement #EnergyFromWaste #BusinessWaste #CircularEconomy  

New battery and small electric item household collections coming to Herefordshire It will soon be easier than ever to safely dispose of batteries and small electrical items such as irons, hairdryers and alarm clocks. From Monday 7 April 2025, batteries and small items of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will be collected by FCC Environment bin collection crews as they do their usual rounds. Electrical items and batteries should never be put into household rubbish or recycling bins as they can cause contamination or a fire. According to the National Fire Chiefs Council, battery fires in bins and at waste sites is at an all-time high and a survey of councils across the UK has found that 94% said that fires caused by batteries in domestic waste were an increasing challenge. The new service is easy and convenient to use. Simply remove any batteries from your broken small electrical item and place it on top of your bin, and put batteries in a plastic bag also on top of the bin, on either recycling or waste collection day. The bin collection crew will then put them in a separate cage on the collection vehicle and take them for recycling. Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “I am delighted that we are able to provide this enhanced service to all residents across the county. Small electric items and batteries present a huge challenge if they are placed in household bins as they cause contamination and increase the risk of fire in collection vehicles or at waste sites. I hope all residents get behind this new service to ensure that even more of our waste is recycled in the right way.”

Check out this recent article where our very own Gaye Glading-Early Careers and Development Manager, compares Degree Qualifications with hands on experience gained from working within a company, and if it makes a difference when looking to further your career in the environmental sector. See what she has to say here: https://lnkd.in/g9QPuRZZ

Household Waste Recycling Centre reuse pop-up shop dates announced   FCC Environment manages 14 of Kent County Council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres. Eight of them have been busy collecting good quality, preloved items ready for this year’s pop-up shops through the Spring/Summer. The team held the first reuse pop-up shops of the year at Allington HWRC on 16th March and at Ashford HWRC on 23rd March, where they sold preloved items which had been donated to our reuse containers situated on site. These items ranged from Bric a brac, games, toys, furniture and some electrical items such as coffee machines and food processors. This is the third year that FCC Environment and Kent County Council have run reuse pop-up shops and more are planned. Upcoming dates and locations: Margate HWRC – 27 April 2025 10am-2pm Pepperhill HWRC – 27 April 2025 9am-1pm Canterbury HWRC – 1 June 2025 10am-2pm Dover HWRC – 20 July 2025 10am-2pm Ashford HWRC – 17 August 2025 10am-2pm Canterbury HWRC – 21 September 2025 10am-2pm Vikki Sedgwick, FCC’s Education and communications officer said “We are pleased to announce the dates of our next reuse pop-up shops across Kent. When thinking about whether to donate items or throw them away, ask yourself: does it still work, would someone else find it useful, does it still have life in it?” If you have good quality items, you can donate them to be reused at any of the following Household Waste and Recycling Centres: Allington, Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Margate, New Romney, Pepperhill and Sheerness Photos taken at the recent Reuse Pop Up shop in Allington.

Last week we welcomed ITV Meridian into our re3 facility to talk about Simpler Recycling in the Workplace now that there are new rules in place. How are you finding recycling at work? Is your workplace compliant? You can give the video a watch here: https://lnkd.in/ePebFPpJ