Growing company shows best ways to recycle waste

Recycling is big business and a Newark company is leading the way.

Founded as UK Waste Solutions Ltd 13 years ago the company, now known as UKWSL, has a growing client base that includes blue-chip companies such as Network Rail and Marston’s Brewery.

UKWSL originally had two directors and a small team of advisers, but has grown to now employ around 75 people.

It is rated the second-fastest growing waste and recycling business in the UK.

Operations general manager Mr David Ratcliffe said industry would always produce waste, but the future of recycling would be driven by legislation.

“The UK is recognised as a very poor recycler and we as a nation need to step up our game and find new solutions to dispose of waste,” he said.

Mr Ratcliffe said the biggest challenge was to change people’s mindset on recycling to convince them that it was a cost-effective way to dispose of waste.

“Unfortunately, the feedback we get from a lot of customers is that people are too busy, but it does not take time to recycle provided they have the means to do it ­— and that is key.”

UKWSL is a waste management broker, which means it does not own any bins, trucks or facilities but sources other companies to provide waste disposal services for its clients.

The company was formed by Mr Chris Giscombe and Mr Garry Johnson, who still own it.

Its core business is in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire but it also has national companies on its books.

National clients

Mr Ratcliffe said: “The longest-serving ones are Network Rail and Thomson Travel.

“We also look after 64 Ministry of Justice prisons, from the Midlands to the north of England, and a year ago we took on Marston’s Brewery, which has around 1,200 pubs.

“With Network Rail we look after their waste and that includes trade waste and hazardous waste.

“We sub-contract everything out to our suppliers across the whole of the UK.

“Marston’s Brewery is a great story in its own right.

“We felt we could help them achieve greater recycling and for us it’s about working in partnership with the company and working with their requirements.”

Marston’s now recycles 79.45% of its waste, compared with 50% before it joined UKWSL.

Almost all of its waste — 96.52% — is diverted from landfill, up from 50%, and the brewery’s waste budget has been cut by more than £200,000 a year.

Mr Ratcliffe said: “We have other national clients including Roadchef, who have signed a five-year contract with UKWSL, and we have signed a two-year deal with DX Freight.”

UKWSL, based in Alexander House, Beacon Hill Business Park, also has a second building, Innovation House, nearby.

“After months of renovations of both buildings, the various departments have modernised surroundings to take UKWSL into the next era,” said Mr Ratcliffe.

The managing director, Mr Max Kanda, said: “We recognise our responsibility to the local community and our exciting plans mean we are confident that UKWSL will continue to grow and create even more skilled jobs for the people of Newark and the surrounding areas.”