News in brief | CIWM Commercial Partner Updates November

Nov 11, 2024

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Environment and Energy, Treatment and Recovery

Using an innovative biotechnology solution from Advetec, Coastal will turn around 5,200 tonnes of the black bag waste (non-recyclable waste) it collects each year into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF).

SRF is a highly sought-after fuel that emits 95% less CO2e than coal and is helping some of the world’s most carbon-heavy industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Coastal will take delivery of an Advetec system comprising two aerobic digester units, known as XO22s, at its processing site in Torrington, Northern Devon.

The system will operate at full capacity, processing up to 20 tonnes of non-recyclable waste on-site every day and creating 10 tonnes of SRF daily.

Investment in this technology will help Coastal offer environmental improvements to its 1,600 customers across Devon.

In addition to diverting waste from landfill and turning it into a fossil-fuel replacement, Advetec’s technology also reduces the mass of waste by 50% and the volume by 70%, which means fewer waste collections and rubbish trucks on the roads.

Emily Delve, Group Commercial Director at Coastal Recycling, said: “Advetec’s technology allows us to offer more options to our customers in the move to decarbonisation, and we’re proud to bring this innovation to Devon. By innovating in this way, we are helping customers reduce their carbon footprint and doing our bit for the communities we’re part of.

Lee Knott, chief executive of Advetec, said: “Coastal is a forward-thinking business with an appetite to do things differently. As the first in Devon to invest in an Advetec system featuring two of our units in one location, we consider them waste innovators. Our XO system will build greater waste-handling capacity into their operations and provide greater control over costs. We’re delighted to count them among our clients.”

The eight-year contract with biotechnology business Advetec is the latest in Coastal’s waste innovation activities, which include using infrared technology to separate plastics more efficiently and Star Screen machines to process cardboard more quickly.

Last year, Coastal won an award for Sustainability at the Exeter Living Awards and was highly commended in the sustainability category at the Exeter Property Awards.

In 2024, Coastal Recycling won the Sustainable Business Award at the North Devon Business Awards as well as North Devon Business of the Year.

For more information, visit www.coastaluk.co.uk and www.advetec.com/uk.

As an agile SME able to make quick decisions, CWR met Greyparrot at this year’s RWM tradeshow and installed the Analyzer system just six days later – one of the industry’s swiftest turnarounds for AI waste analytics.

CWR is a data-driven local authority trading company (LATCO) committed to smarter, more efficient resource management. It manages both collection and sorting for over 160,000 households on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

After adopting a data-driven approach to managing its collections, fleet and staff, CWR turned its focus to its newly refurbished MRF by deploying Greyparrot Analyzer units throughout the facility.

“We operate like a logistics business – our team takes a ‘plan, deliver, review’ approach, using data to optimise everything we do. This has worked very well for our frontline operations, driving huge efficiencies alongside improvements in safety and performance.

“For us, the missing piece was the MRF, leaving us to question how we bring that level of data, intelligence and optimisation to an environment where it’s traditionally been challenging” commented Jody Sherratt, Operations Director.

CWR adopted AI waste analytics technology with the goal of improving sorting efficiency, reducing downtime, and improving material quality.

Filling an MRF data gap with AI waste analytics

The Analyzer units use cameras to capture images of waste items on conveyor belts, with Greyparrot’s AI identifying each object and displaying live composition data on a web-based Analyzer portal.

Sherratt explained why continuous AI monitoring helps CWR address a lack of operational insight that was standing in the way of targeted improvements:

“Before this, we were just looking at the material leaving the facility – how much waste came out of the plant and what was returned by reprocessors. We could tell when quality dropped or fewer bales were produced, but we couldn’t pinpoint why.”

How CWR are acting on new operational insights

The CWR team has already used AI waste analysis to identify and resolve operational inefficiencies:

“Reviewing our data, we discovered 40 minutes where a key product line was empty, leaving pickers underutilised. Investigating further, we found that a delayed haulier had disrupted operations. Although we outsource that process now, we’re reviewing the need to either increase yard staff or expand our own haulage services to ensure greater control and consistency throughout.”

CWR also uses shift-based data to determine the optimal number of pickers based on the quality of infeed stock. Analysing post-sorting material quality by shift allows for performance measurement at a granular level.

In one instance, they discovered that two pickers could often outperform a group of three, guiding future resource allocation and training priorities.

Data from the Analyzer also revealed that pickers currently spent significant time removing plastic film, a non-target item.

The Analyzer system allows CWR to review feedstock by both mass and item count, underlining just how much strain plastic film is placing on the picking line. This insight will help support a business case for robotic arms to target film.

How data is shaping the business case for sorting machinery investment

CWR also sells baled resources to reprocessors. The company plans to use AI waste analytics to measure, certify and improve bale quality – an opportunity they estimate could generate significant income.

By installing Analyzer units on infeed and sorting lines, the team aims to reduce contaminants in the fibre line and certify bale quality to meet purity standards. Sherratt believes detailed data on bale composition will help CWR command higher prices for higher-quality material:

“Currently, a reprocessor checks purity by breaking down one bale or applying an average. Eventually, we’d like to certify each bale’s compliance with the agreed-upon threshold before it leaves the MRF.

“This will allow us to generate significantly more income by accounting for materials such as aluminium within plastic bales. Importantly, it will also enable CWR to meet new MRF sampling requirements safely and efficiently.”

Sherratt describes operational efficiency as the “first stage” in CWR’s data-driven optimisation journey. In the future, the organisation plans to use AI waste analytics to link infeed composition with collections from specific areas in Cheshire West and Chester.

With a better understanding of local consumption patterns, CWR hope to boost recycling rates and improve feedstock with targeted consumer education campaigns.

As part of the agreement facilitated by Elite Recycling Solutions, the leading compactor and baler manufacturer has provided the fresh produce firm with a first-class, fully refurbished semi-automatic cardboard baling press, bolstering the business’s environmental endeavours and supporting its operational requirements.

The new machine will enable the manufacturer to minimise the space taken up by waste products, while improving its carbon footprint and maximising revenue achieved for recycled materials.

With approximately 40-60 tonnes of cardboard produced per month by the business, which is a supplier to major supermarket chains, a significant ROI for the machinery purchase of 2-3 years is achievable conditional on the market value of cardboard.

Capital’s comprehensive maintenance offering will ensure a seamless waste management experience and maximum reliability.

Delivered by a team of skilled in-house engineers, the meticulous service package will optimise the baler’s performance and longevity, and any unforeseen issues will be promptly addressed and resolved.

David Sealey, Business Development Director at Elite Recycling Solutions commented: “At Elite Recycling Solutions, we pride ourselves on helping our clients enhance their green credentials with tailored waste management solutions.

“Our first collaboration with Capital Compactors exceeded expectations – their team were professional, efficient and the installation of the semi-auto baler was seamless. This baler is not only generating a revenue stream for our client but also optimising their waste collection process. We’re looking forward to partnering with Capital Compactors on future projects to continue delivering value to our clients.”

Capital’s Technical Sales Manager, Graham Campbell, comments: “We are delighted to kick-start our partnership with Elite Recycling Solutions with the successful installation of a high-quality, semi-automatic baler for a major supplier to the grocery sector – and, with hugely positive feedback on the quality of the machine received.

“The newly refurbished asset will enable the business to bolster its environmental credentials, drive efficiencies throughout the waste management process and maximise the revenue available from recycled materials.

“We are excited to build upon our collaboration with Elite Recycling Solutions, as we strive to support more and more businesses with our pioneering waste management solutions.”

Capital Compactors and Balers is the UK’s leading manufacturer of waste and recycling compactors and balers. Founded in 2000, the company provides and services waste compactors and recycling balers that waste operators and end-users acquire through rental contracts, as well as upfront equipment purchases.

Custom-made in its purpose-built factory in Barnsley, the compactors and balers are constructed using high-grade materials, boosting longevity and helping reduce downtime.

Capital Compactors and Balers is part of the Impact Environmental Group (IEG), a global environmental products and services business, providing a comprehensive suite of new and replacement products for waste and recycling containers, collection and compaction equipment, and waste transportation equipment. IEG’s UK-based brands include Duraflex™, Taylor, UKCM and Capital Compactors.

For more information on Capital Compactors and Balers, visit: www.capitalcompactors.co.uk.

Over the last three decades, CCE has developed, manufactured and supplied more than 6 million standard and bespoke container lid solutions for the global waste and recycling markets, supporting over 736 clients to date.

Significantly, in 2006 CCE launched its award-winning Recycling Scheme which has seen the business recycle in excess of half a million container lids to date.

Since establishing the pioneering environmental initiative, CCE, together with its customers who have signed up to the groundbreaking programme, have recycled a highly impressive 502,195 container lids, taking in the old parts and remanufacturing them as new. The lids go on an impressive journey before emerging as a newly constructed, and fully recycled lid.

Ken Richmond, CCE’s Operations Director, who has been with the business since it was established, commented: “Everyone at CCE is extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last 30 years.

“The brand name DuraFlex is synonymous with quality and innovation, and the reputation we have built up for producing durable lids at competitive prices and on reliable delivery schedules has brought us a prominent position in the waste industry.

“We are excited for what’s to come in the future as we continue to move forward as part of the wider Impact Environmental Group – a global waste industry category leader which plays an important role in the pursuit of a circular economy.”

Pete Dickson, Commercial Director at Impact Environmental Group added: “Reflecting on the statistics, an overwhelming amount of waste and recycling container components have been supplied to CCE’s far-reaching client base to support a vast range of businesses.

“Over the years, the company has made major investments in the latest design technology, research and development, personnel training and in-house manufacturing capabilities to continuously ensure that the challenges of the industry are met.”

CCE occupies a purpose-built 44,000sqft facility, located in Chesterfield, from where it services the whole of the UK, Continental Europe, and beyond. DuraFlex™ lids can now be found globally.

The business is part of the Impact Environmental Group (IEG), a global environmental products and services business, providing a comprehensive suite of new and replacement products for waste and recycling containers, repair and refurbishment services, collection and compaction equipment, and waste transportation equipment. IEG EMEA’s brands include DuraFlex™, Taylor, UKCM and Capital Compactors and Balers.

For more information on CCE visit: https://duraflexlids.co.uk/.

Its performance is internationally recognised. Augean participates in both GRESB Infrastructure Assessment and EcoVadis and has received significant performance ratings for ESG this year.

Augean seeks to follow best practice in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and corporate governance and the continuous development of ESG standards is an integral part of Augean’s business growth.

This is demonstrated through company values, policies and management systems. The CSR Report that it launched earlier this year is part of this process.

The ESG Strategy identifies Augean’s approach to record and transparently report ESG performance and to enable use of data to make balanced judgements on where performance should be modified to meet the needs of the business and demonstrate continual improvement. Augean’s sustainability efforts are centred on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This brings alignment of its strategy with globally recognised sustainability priorities. Augean will track and report on progress in contributing to these goals via its ongoing Sustainability, ESG, and CSR reporting regimes.

GRESB is an independent organisation providing verified evidence-based ESG performance data and peer benchmarks for investors to enhance their business knowledge, industry involvement, and decision-making.

In 2024, Augean scored 97%, earning it a 5-Star rating and placing it as the 2nd best organisation globally in the Environmental Services: Waste Treatment category.

EcoVadis is a globally trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, rating over 130,000 companies in the EU. The rating is based on evidence demonstrating how well a company has integrated the principles of sustainability into their business and management systems.

Augean has been awarded a silver medal for 2024-25 by Ecovadis, and the score it received placed it in the top 7% of companies assessed by Ecovadis in the past 12 months.

Everyone at Augean has a part to play to ensure that it acts in a sustainable manner to minimise its carbon footprint, is committed to the development and growth of staff, act as a good neighbour in the local community and has a strong and ethical corporate culture.

Augean strives to grow its business sustainably while making a positive impact on society and the environment. It is committed to transparency, responsibility and creating long-term value for all its stakeholders. The ESG Strategy will provide Augean with strategic direction for advancing its ESG principles in the future.

The internationally recognised standard for Quality Management, ISO9001:2015 provides a consistent way of doing things and ensures that products or services continually meet the needs and expectations of customers.

Chris Fletcher, Quality & Compliance Manager, Fleetclear remarked: “Quality assurance is at the core of everything we do at Fleetclear and it’s a collaborative effort involving everybody in the company.

“I’d like to congratulate the whole team for being so engaged in helping us achieve this important certification. Their commitment to the ISO9001:2015 certification process and their ongoing dedication to maintaining the highest quality standards is commendable.”

Testament to Fleetclear’s commitment to quality management and continuous improvement, the company is currently working towards ISO27001 certification for Information Security Management Systems and has engaged a team of sustainability experts to help improve its environmental impact.

Chris Fletcher added: “Continuous improvement isn’t just about perfecting products and services; it’s about creating a work environment that encourages growth and embraces change. By acknowledging the significance of every team member’s contribution, we aim to cultivate an environment where getting better together is the norm.”

Fleetclear has a reputation for quality products and excellent after sales service, with a proven track record in elevating industry benchmarks. In an industry rife with substandard products and inconsistent suppliers, Fleetclear maintains an unwavering commitment to using top-tier raw materials and upholding supplier integrity.

The company’s products are engineered to withstand the harshest environments, reinforcing its dedication to delivering long-lasting, purpose-built solutions. All Fleetclear products are designed and manufactured in the UK.

Fleetclear is a complete fleet solution provider, dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and compliance of fleets.

The company is responsible for innovative commercial vehicle safety solutions which include anti-rollaway and driver ID technology, live camera recording systems, reverse radar and Fleetclear Connect, an intuitive we-based fleet management software system.

Tagged Advetec, Sustainable Aviation Fuels