News updates from CIWM’s commercial partners.
Keenan Recycling | Sustainable alliance: Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling reduce carbon footprint
Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling have formed a successful partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
By collaborating on food waste collection and recycling initiatives, both organisations have made significant strides towards a greener future.
Strategic alliance
Falkirk Council selected Keenan Recycling as their commercial food waste collection partner in 2019 after a competitive procurement process. This strategic decision aligned with the council’s ambitious sustainability goals, and enabled customers to be compliant with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.
Keenan Recycling collects food waste from Falkirk Council’s commercial customers including schools, community centres, restaurants, cafes, and places of worship. Additionally, Keenan Recycling now collects food waste from the Council’s communal flatted properties.
The partnership has yielded tangible results
Diverting waste from landfill: Over 2,250 tonnes of food waste has been diverted from landfill since 2019.
Reducing carbon emissions: The food waste collected is transformed into renewable energy via Anaerobic Digestion (AD), significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The electricity produced through this AD process is enough to power 250 British households for an entire year!
Enhancing community awareness: By educating residents and businesses about the importance of food waste reduction, the partnership has fostered a culture of sustainability.
“Our partnership with Keenan Recycling has been instrumental in diverting significant amounts of food waste from landfill. Their reliable and efficient service, combined with their commitment to sustainability, aligns perfectly with the Council’s Net Zero aspirations, meets BMW 2025 ban and aligns to Circular Economy Act,” says Barry Neill, Waste Services Manager, Falkirk Council.
“We’re particularly impressed with their innovative approach to waste management, including the use of technology to optimise collection routes and improve data analysis. We monitor tonnages for individual locations and tailor engagement. Keenan also assists in addressing any issues such as contamination,” adds Barry.
Claire Keenan, Collections Director at Keenan Recycling, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Falkirk Council for over five years. They are a forward-thinking organisation that shares our commitment to sustainability.
“Together, we have successfully diverted thousands of tonnes of food waste from landfill and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to continuing our partnership and working towards a greener future.”
Bright future
Grant Keenan, MD at Keenan Recycling, says: “Our partnership with Falkirk Council is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving a more sustainable future. By working together, we’re not only reducing waste but also creating a positive impact on the environment. We’re proud to be part of this journey and look forward to continuing our efforts to drive sustainable change.”
As Falkirk Council continues its journey towards a more sustainable future, the partnership with Keenan Recycling remains a crucial component. By working together, they are setting an example for other local authorities and businesses, demonstrating that sustainable practices can be both effective and beneficial.
Impact Environmental Group | Hole-in-One!… Capital Compactors and Balers Secures 1st Waste Management Contract for The Belfry
Capital Compactors and Balers (CCL), part of the Impact Environmental Group (IEG), has installed a trio of machines at The Belfry Hotel and Resort, as part of a new contract with waste management solution provider 1st Waste Management.
CCL, which designs and manufactures a vast range of waste and recycling compactors and balers, is working in partnership with 1st Waste Management to provide three custom-built machines to the iconic golf resort as part of a rental agreement.
Bolstering its environmental efforts and increasing recycling volumes, The Belfry will utilise two portable waste compactors with bin lifts for general waste and dry mixed recycling, and a mill-size baler for cardboard.
Significantly, CCL will deliver an advanced service and maintenance package as part of the comprehensive rental agreement, optimising the performance and longevity of the machines to guarantee efficient operation throughout the contract.
CCL’s team of skilled, in-house field service engineers, with specialist experience in the waste management industry, will meticulously service the machines to ensure a seamless experience.
Graham Campbell, Technical Sales Manager at Capital Compactors and Balers comments: “As a strategic partner to the UK’s commercial waste industry, we are delighted to be extending our support further as we work closely with 1st Waste Management to supply our reliable, leading compaction and recycling machinery to The Belfry Hotel and Resort.”
Gemma Roberts, Commercial Director at 1st Waste Management explained: “We are proud to partner with Capital Compactors and Balers to support The Belfry Hotel and Resort in their waste management journey.
“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to providing tailored, innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. By working closely with CCL, we ensure that The Belfry benefits from top-tier equipment and service, helping them achieve their environmental goals and set a benchmark in the hospitality industry.”
Varun Shetty, General Manager at The Belfry Hotel & Resort added: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Capital Compactors via 1st Waste Management to introduce new waste compactors and balers at The Belfry Hotel and Resort.
“This initiative will significantly enhance our waste processing efficiency and sustainability efforts. By adopting these advanced technologies, we are taking a major step towards reducing our environmental impact and promoting a greener future.”
Pete Dickson, Commercial Director at Impact Environmental Group adds: “We are witnessing a substantial increase in customers requesting rental contracts, benefiting from the self-fulfilling and self-financing solution that is offered by CCL.
“As the machines enable customers to make significant financial savings with reduced waste transportation costs, the rental solution provides businesses with the opportunity to pay for the machine while unlocking those cost-savings, rather than committing to an upfront investment.
“Notably, customers can also be confident that their compactors and balers are consistently and effectively maintained.”
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
Waste Robotics | Protecting Workers in Waste Management
Opinion by André Matula
Waste management is often described as a vital service, a backbone of modern society that ensures cleanliness, order, and sustainability.
Yet, the people behind the work – those who handle our waste daily – often face some of the toughest challenges in the labour force.
As we continue to innovate and automate, the question we must answer is this: How can we leverage technology to improve efficiency and safeguard the well-being of those who work in this essential industry?
At Waste Robotics, this is a responsibility we take seriously. The Realities of Work in the Waste Industry For decades, the waste industry has been synonymous with rugged, hazardous labour.
Workers in recycling facilities, landfill sites, and waste collection operations routinely face risks, including: Exposure to harmful materials like broken glass, sharp metals, and hazardous chemicals.
Repetitive strain injuries from sorting and handling waste. Physical dangers from operating heavy machinery or working in unsafe environments.
Despite advancements in recycling technologies and waste management policies, these risks remain an everyday reality for many workers.
According to studies, jobs in the recycling sector tend to be labour-intensive, often underpaid, and lacking sufficient health and safety protections.
The waste industry’s shift toward automation has brought optimism and caution. On one hand, automation reduces workers’ exposure to harmful environments and lessens the physical strain of manual labour.
On the other hand, the introduction of new technologies creates concerns about isolated working conditions and the potential for job displacement.
At Waste Robotics, we believe automation should not replace the human element but enhance it – making jobs safer, more sustainable, and more rewarding.
Building Safer Workplaces Through Robotics
One of the ways we’re addressing worker safety is by introducing robotics systems designed to handle the dirtiest, most dangerous tasks.
Our robots are equipped with advanced AI capabilities that allow them to:
Identify and sort waste precisely, eliminating the need to sort sharp or hazardous materials manually.
Work around the clock in environments otherwise unsafe or fatiguing for human workers.
Reduce contamination risks by minimising direct contact between workers and harmful waste streams.
For example, our AI-powered sorting systems are particularly effective in dealing with Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste – a category notorious for its mix of sharp debris and heavy materials.
By automating the sorting of mineral waste and removing dangerous contaminants, we increase efficiency and significantly reduce the risk of injury for workers who traditionally performed these tasks by hand.
A Collaborative Approach to Worker Safety
Safety doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s the result of a collaborative effort across the entire waste management ecosystem.
At Waste Robotics, we prioritise working closely with facility operators and workers to ensure that our robotic solutions complement their operations rather than disrupt them.
This means:
Designing systems that are easy to operate, so workers can focus on oversight and quality control rather than dangerous manual labour.
Providing training and ongoing support to help employees integrate robotics into their workflows.
Partnering with waste facilities to continuously refine our solutions, addressing new challenges as they arise.
Automation That Empowers, Not Replaces
Viewing automation as a job threat is easy, but we see it differently. Robotics in waste management doesn’t eliminate the need for human workers – it shifts their roles to safer, more strategic positions.
Workers who once spent hours sorting hazardous materials can now focus on overseeing operations, maintaining equipment, or improving process efficiency.
These roles are not only safer but also more rewarding, offering opportunities for skill development and career growth.
A Future Built on Safety and Sustainability
The waste industry is evolving, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping its future. At Waste Robotics, we’re committed to ensuring that this evolution benefits the people who make the industry possible.
By leveraging robotics to create safer working environments, we can protect workers from harm while empowering them to take on new, meaningful roles in the waste management landscape.
As we look ahead, one thing is clear: the human element remains at the heart of waste management. And with the right technology, we can ensure that the industry not only thrives but does so with safety, dignity, and respect for its workers
