How to clean up on waste management

Wyclean Group, based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire has a £10 million turnover and more than 1,000 employees. It offers everything from daily cleaning services and security, to ground maintenance, carpet cleaning and washroom services across a wide range of sectors.

Bernard Gallyot, Wyclean Group’s sales and operations director, says that one of today’s challenges is to help companies improve their green credentials, something which the company does by providing detailed information and statistics on what happens to their waste.

"There is a key emphasis now from clients who want to reduce their carbon footprint, divert waste from landfill and increase recycling,” he said. "We’ve met that challenge by working with Grundon Waste Management, which enables us to offer a full waste management service and disposal solutions for a variety of waste streams, including metal, WEEE, cardboard and mixed recyclables.

"Most importantly, because Grundon gives us the statistics and audit information, we can show clients exactly how much tonnage is being diverted from landfill into recycling, reprocessing and Energy from Waste (EfW). In turn they can demonstrate to their customers and shareholders that they are becoming more environmentally friendly.”

 The two companies work in partnership, visiting customers together in order to identify opportunities to make changes.

Grundon’s James Standen explains: "It’s important for us to visit clients together so we can undertake a site audit and suggest the most efficient and cost effective solutions. We also help clients by holding waste awareness events and organise talks and surveys to help employees understand the do’s and don’ts of recycling, ensuring everyone is engaged in the project and knows what we are trying to achieve. We usually get asked lots of questions and people often say they didn’t know particular items could be recycled.

"As soon as the changes are put in place, we find within around two weeks everyone begins to appreciate the new systems and is pleased to be helping the company become more environmentally conscious and, of course, save money.”

 Among typical solutions is the replacement of desk bins with corridor boxes; introducing clearly marked recycling stations and providing a range of different bins and larger units for different types of waste, including fluorescent lighting tubes or unwanted computer equipment; as well as hazardous waste, such as chemicals and paint tins.

By diverting waste from landfill, companies save money by reducing their landfill tax bill and, because more efficient recycling means a reduction in the number of Grundon visits required to collect the waste, it also cuts transport costs and carbon emissions.

"I think all cleaning companies should look to work more closely with waste contractors because our working partnership shows we can really make a difference,” said Standen. "I’m able to send reports to the Wyclean team about how much client waste goes to recycling, reprocessing or EfW and in turn they can demonstrate just how much those companies are saving.”

Gallyot says choosing the right waste management partner is important, adding:"We hold the values of quality and customer care very close to the heart of our business and we need to know that our partners do the same.

"We have a very good, close relationship with the Grundon team which helps us give our clients an excellent service, plus they like the fact that by including waste management under our remit, they only receive one invoice with everything included.”

With more than 30 years in the business Wyclean Group’s clients include industry and commerce, as well as the education, retail, local authority and NHS.