Companies on The Ermine Business Park in Huntingdon are being encouraged to recycle more of their waste as part of a pilot scheme set up by the Recycling in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership, (RECAP) of which Huntingdonshire District Council is a member.

The scheme is part of the business resource efficiency and waste programme funded by DEFRA as a government initiative to increase business waste recycling and is being run in partnership with recycling company Shanks.

For the month of March 30 participating businesses are being provided with a bin for mixed recyclables, much the same as domestic properties in Huntingdonshire have, but on a larger scale.  The initial month long pilot will allow businesses and RECAP to test the viability of this type of service.

Figures from the first week show that almost a ton of material has already been collected, 70 to 80 per cent of which is paper and cardboard, with the rest made up of bottles and cans. At the end of the trial, businesses will be able to continue the service directly with Shanks at a cost.

The RECAP Trade Waste Recycling Team behind the project said; “So far the results are very positive. Many of the businesses have shown an interest in continuing the service on a permanent basis. The message that recycling can provide both environmental and financial benefits is being well received”.

Katie Ruff of Brand Communications Ltd commented on the trial; “This important recycling project has given us the opportunity to think about our commercial waste and take action to try and reduce it. It feels good to know that you are doing your bit to help the environment, but are also making cost savings for the business as well”.

Tom Miller of Team Simoco added; “We’re using internal bins to collect the recycling, mainly paper, but also drinks bottles and cans. Our people are keen to recycle and it helps keep everywhere neat and tidy at the same time”.

Sandie Hastings from Thoratec Europe Ltd’s said; “We’re pleased to see an initiative like this put in to practice. We’re all used to recycling at home, so why not do it at work where more waste is produced? We have signed up to continue the service full time; it means we can reduce our other waste disposal services and therefore the overall cost”.

As well as the environmental benefits of recycling businesses could see a benefit to their bottom line as well. With the charges for landfilling commercial waste increasing year on year, having a second bin for recycling can actually reduce a business’s overall waste disposal costs.

It is Illegal for waste generated by a business, including any recycling, to be disposed of through domestic collections or bring sites, such as those in supermarket car parks. The service provided by Shanks is one of many commercial recycling options available to businesses in the area. The RECAP Trade Waste Recycling Team have produced a service directory providing information and contact details for over 40 recyclers, covering a wide range of materials.

If you are a small or medium sized local business and are interested in recycling your business waste or would like a copy of the new recycling service directory contact Tim Knowles or Darren Hughes on (01480) 388388.

Click on the link on the right for more information on refuse and recycling.