Holland & Barrett achieves zero waste to landfill

Post Category : Client News

Leading health and wellness retailer, Holland & Barrett, has achieved zero waste to landfill by working with FCM client Willshee’s Waste & Recycling.

With over 850 shops across the UK, managing Holland & Barrett’s refuse is a major task. It is the responsibility of the environmental health and safety (EHS) team which is led by head of department Simon Birtles.

Prior to the partnership with Willshee’s Waste & Recycling, a high percentage of refuse produced by Holland & Barrett was processed as general waste from which residual waste would have been sent to landfill. This amounted to approx. 25% of the total volume.

EHS manager Mark Cosford joined Simon’s team a year ago, during which time waste management and recycling has been completely overhauled – with a review of the entire process, reducing the roster of nine companies down to one. The benefits are numerous, Mark explains: “Not only are we now achieving zero waste to landfill, but we are far more environmentally friendly than we used to be.”

Every day, stock is delivered to around 170 to 180 stores, and at the same time all their waste is collected and brought back to the Burton distribution centre for in house sortation. Waste is then segregated and transported to a Willshee’s recycling facility where it is sorted and processed. Any residual waste is reprocessed into RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which is then used by “waste to energy” power plants. Willshee’s close proximity to Holland & Barrett is an additional positive in terms of carbon footprint as transport mileage and associated costs have been dramatically reduced.

Mark continues: “While working with Willshee’s has delivered impressive environmental and financial benefits, there are many other advantages too. Their standards in terms of compliance are exemplary. I can totally rely on the team there to be proactive around legislative changes as they come on stream, and the Willshee’s solution is fully traceable and auditable with reporting that allows us to closely monitor performance.”

Willshee’s managing director, Dean Willshee, commented: “Our work with Holland & Barrett is a fantastic example of best practice. We are really proud of what we have achieved together and are looking forward to further developing our relationship.”

 

To find out how you could achieve zero waste to landfill with Willshee’s Waste & Recycling please call their expert team on 01283 702 340.