The company
Edge Hill University is an institution based on an attractive, award-winning 160-acre campus in Lancashire. With up to 15,000 students each year it was essential to identify and thoroughly understand the multiple waste streams generated and each disposal process, so that the university’s KPIs for recycling and sustainability could be realised.
The need
A full site audit was completed and rather than replicate their existing services that required almost daily waste truck collections, an innovative solution was implemented that would promote efficiency and deliver environmental improvements, taking into account the unique nature of the campus.
The solution was built on the idea of introducing one central waste collection point: The Recycling Centre. Here, Edge Hill University could segregate cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, food, glass, wood, metal and green waste, much of which was previously going into the general waste stream.
B&M worked in partnership with Edge Hill University to mobilise the new strategy, introducing two dedicated waste operatives working five days a week to collect the waste bins from each campus location using an electric truck and trailer, bringing all the waste to The Recycling Centre for sorting.
The results
The new waste strategy provided zero waste to landfill from day one and also significantly reduced carbon emissions due to reduced waste truck collections from six days a week to once a week.
As well as the numerous environmental benefits, the new waste management programme created two new jobs in the form of on-site waste operatives, increased source segregation and, with the support of B&M running training and awareness days, there has been a positive culture change at Edge Hill University in relation to recycling.
At The Recycling Centre, a range of innovative equipment was installed:
- A static compactor for general waste
- A mill sized baler for paper and cardboard
- A smaller baler for plastic bottles and metal cans (with a piercing mechanism for removing liquids)
- A hand pallet pump truck for moving bales that is also fitted with a set of scales for recording weights
Through bespoke monthly recycling reports produced by B&M, the University’s Site Service Manager, the Directorate and Governors are able to track Value For Money successes and the cost and carbon savings made.
The ongoing promotion of recycling as part of the wider sustainability policy has improved the university as a community where students and staff work together to improve their environmental impact.
