The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consulted on the planned Simpler Recycling in 2023 publishing the consultation finding earlier this year, stating that “reform to the recycling system which means that people across England will be able to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school, putting an end to the confusion over what can and cannot be recycled in different parts of the country.”

The survey sought views on the upcoming legislation, general levels of understanding and what plans were in place to prepare for the new rules, which aim to simplify and standardise recycling across businesses and households in England.

Encouragingly, 71% of respondents knew about the Simpler Recycling legislation, 90% felt they had good knowledge of what was required and 60% felt that they knew what they needed to do to prepare. However, 62% of respondents had yet made no provision at all for the new legislation.

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward, said: “In its latest update, the government stated that the new default requirement for most households and workplaces will be four containers for residual (non-recyclable) waste, food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate), paper and card, plus all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass). These may be various container types, including bags, bins or stackable boxes.”

“As much as there is positive intention to simplify waste streams, improve recycling effectiveness and reduce waste to landfill, there are some practical considerations to businesses to adopting these measures. The top concern from the survey was cost, with 60% of respondents naming this as a main barrier. A further 39% said space constraints and 31% cited lack of time as other main factors that prevent them from segregating and recycling waste.”

“There are many ways businesses can address these issues, for example, a free and simple waste audit can quickly assess the volume and type of waste. From there, you work out a plan of the required container sizes and optimise collections to achieve the best value for money.  For larger businesses, using a provider which offers site visits to set up effective recycling areas and gives customers access to an online portal is a good way to monitor and evaluate different waste streams. From that management data, businesses are then able to make more informed decisions about recycling rates and ways to make improvements and adjustments to waste collections.”

Respondents also shared that some types of waste were more problematic than others to recycle. Hazardous was considered most difficult by 32%, closely followed by construction waste at 28%, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at 27% and food waste at 26%.

Head of Sales (Waste) at Ward, Heather Foo, added: “Depending on their size and type of activities, some businesses will be more affected than others with Simpler Recycling. A multi-premises business employing more than 10 full-time equivalent employees will be required to segregate residual waste, food waste, paper and card, and all other dry mixed recycling in four specific containers and arrange the appropriate collection services by 31st March 2025. Microbusinesses (those with less than 10 FTE employees) are currently exempt from these requirements until 31st March 2027, but as a wider sustainability measure it would be beneficial to implement in advance of legalisation.

“New guidance was issued by DEFRA in late November 2024, so now is a good time to start planning for Q1 2025 to get a solution for Simpler Recycling in place in time for the March 2025 deadline.”

A copy of Ward’s Simpler Recycling Report findings can be found here: https://www.ward.com/simpler-recycling/.

For more information about Ward’s innovative waste management solutions, visit www.ward.com.

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Currently operating across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, the ‘Recycle a Car’ site aims to provide car and van owners with a simple, sustainable and competitively priced scrapping service for their redundant vehicles.

An estimated four million vehicles are disposed of annually, some illegally. As an accredited Vehicle De-Pollution centre, Ward is well-placed to provide a secure, sustainable solution for customers looking to dispose of their vehicles in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward, said: “Recycle a Car is the latest service offering from Ward as part of our complete waste management and recycling solutions. Whether a vehicle has reached then end of its serviceable life, didn’t pass it’s MOT and is too expensive or it has been written off, we understand can be a hassle trying to dispose of a vehicle once it reaches the end of the road.

“Beyond practicalities of scrapping a car, our customers are increasingly focussed on sustainability. As a DVLA accredited facility, we guarantee that every vehicle component, from seats to engine, are recycled responsibly and with minimal environmental impact.”

In line with the latest EU directives, Recycle a Car aims to extract and recycle over 95 per cent of car components, minimising waste to landfill. Ward has specialist processes to responsibly recycle and manage all waste streams from metal to rubber, plastics, fabrics, cabling and hazardous waste, such as battery fluids and oils.

As well as delivering excellent value for money, Recycle a Car offers a quick and easy online service. Via the website, customers can enter their registration number and postcode for a free quote. A vehicle can potentially be dropped off or collected, recycled and payment issued within 24 hours.

Donald adds: “With Recycle a Car we are offering a simple, flexible solution at a competitive price point. We can provide faster collections and quicker payment, as well being the sustainable choice.”

The scheme has proved so successful in the Midlands that Ward plans to roll it out nationwide in the New Year.

For more information on Recycle a Car, visit www.recycleacar.com, and to learn more about Ward’s waste management services, visit www.ward.com.

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The new locator allows visitors to search for their closest bank by inputting their postcode, town or city into a search box or using the handy WARDRobe map.

A member of the Textile Recycling Association, Ward’s textile recycling operation, WARDRobe, provides a free nationwide textile bank collection service for good quality pre-loved clothing and shoes. Collecting from various locations across the UK, the team works closely with local authorities and organisations to maximise the recovery and reuse of textiles to minimise waste to landfill.

Textile banks are located in prime locations, including household waste recycling centres, office headquarters, school premises and on local council and private land. Sites receive payment for each kilo of textiles collected, which they can donate to charity or put towards local community projects.

WARDRobe also works in close partnership with local charities, including Sharewear, which focuses on reducing clothing poverty.

Clare Harby, Head of Textiles and Waste Brokerage at Ward said: “We are committed to supporting the Circular Economy while positively impacting the communities where we work and our textile banks are a great example of this.

“Through our regular textile collections, we can help others to limit their impact on the environment by minimising the amount of pre-loved clothing that ends up in landfill while supporting charities with regular donations.”

To find the location of your nearest textile bank, visit https://www.ward.com/wardrobe-map/

For more information about arranging a textile bank at your business, place of work or community group, get in touch with WARDRobe via textilebanks@ward.com

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From next year, all businesses in England will need to adhere to stricter recycling practices to simplify recycling nationwide. The new laws are designed to improve recycling rates, simplify waste management and crack down on waste crime, supporting the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, in moving the UK toward a zero-waste circular economy.

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward said: “The Government missed its 2020 recycling target and so introduced a more robust Resources and Waste Strategy, which will see far reaching waste reforms throughout the waste industry.

“Simpler Recycling has been discussed for some time and will now become law in early 2025, but we are realizing that many businesses might not understand what the legislation involves and what is means for them. We’ve launched this survey to test the level of understanding, to find out what businesses already know and find ways that we can support them in preparing for changes ahead.”

The waste reforms aim to boost recycling rates, meet future recycling targets and protect the environment and provide consistency in recycling practices for homes, workplaces and schools across England. They will include introducing a streamlined approach to recycling and reduce bin complexity, introducing food waste collections and specifying a recyclables waste stream.

Businesses have until Friday 25th October to complete the survey and share their views here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WardSimplerRecycling. A report of findings will be available later in the year.

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Formed in 2016, Arc Partnership is a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and public sector procurement framework, SCAPE. It aims to support the Council in creating an efficient, safe and sustainable land and property portfolio.

Arc Partnership and Ward began working together in 2019, with an official partnership agreement signed in 2021. The latest contract renewal follows Ward’s exceptional service level delivery and implementation of innovative waste management solutions across Arc Partnership’s portfolio of public properties, including schools, libraries and clinics.

Mick Roots, National Construction Waste Manager at Ward, said: “We’ve enjoyed a very positive long-standing partnership with Arc Partnership and this contract renewal is testament to both the strength of that relationship and our capabilities to provide a total waste management solution within the building and construction sector.

“We’re extremely proud of our ability to deliver the optimum waste management solution across Arc Partnership’s portfolio. We’ve worked closely to improve efficiency, reduce administration and consistently achieve material diverted from landfill rate of over 98%.

“Last year, Ward completed a significant number of waste movements, including grab services and hazardous waste removal, offering a total waste management solution. Through the Customer Portal with its Scope 3 carbon reporting capability, Arc Partnership is able to access transparent and actionable data insights about both material type and transportation of waste products too.”

The recycling and waste management specialist has also supported Arc Partnership to meet its objectives across several school sites by offering flexible solutions. For example, the teams work together to ensure maintenance work is undertaken during the six-week holiday period, or scheduling collections services in term time which avoid peak pedestrian times.

Paul Parker, Operations Manager at Arc Partnership said: “We’ve worked with Ward for a few years now and they’ve been a vital partner in helping us to realise waste management efficiencies and increase sustainability across our property portfolio.

“The team’s construction sector knowledge has been paramount in helping us to improve our waste stream segregation, implementing efficient use of containers to reduce contamination and improve cost efficiency. The Customer Portal is fantastic too. Digital ticketing and electronic waste transfer notes, including photographic evidence, provides unrivalled transparency in identifying waste streams and recycling opportunities across multiple sites, while real-time carbon waste reporting helps to track and reduce CO₂ emissions. The level of information and the transparency is refreshing.”

The Ward team meet regularly with Arc Partnership’s operational teams to review performance and plan for the next programmes of works, so that the waste management plans can dovetail in with construction.

For more information about Ward’s innovative waste management solutions, visit www.ward.com.

For more information about Arc Partnership, visit: www.arc-partnership.co.uk.

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The BIR is the only global recycling industry federation and represents more than 30,000 companies from 70 countries. Donald has been an active member for the past 10 years and was approached about the role during his attendance at the BIR’s bi-annual conference in Abu Dhabi in 2023.

The appointment comes at a crucial time, as new Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) legislation is due to be put in place in the UK for metal and vehicle recyclers that will set a precedent across the globe. The new regulations, which the UK Environment Agency is expected to implement in the next two years, will have a significant impact on vehicle recycling waste processing.

The BIR has invested in ground-breaking research, including the most detailed analysis of waste types ever undertaken in the UK, that will inform the decision-making process and position the UK as a global leader in end-of-life vehicle waste management.

As part of the new measures, waste from shredders is being reclassified from non-hazardous to hazardous waste. This will put an onus on recyclers to leverage new technology to analyse vehicle waste in more detail, ensuring all component parts are categorised and recycled accordingly, minimising waste to landfill.

Donald’s sector expertise will provide invaluable input into the BIR shredder committee. He has been invited to present to the committee on the UK’s ASR proposals at the next BIR conference in Copenhagen in May 2024, during the Shredder Committee plenary session.

Donald said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining the BIR in this advisory role, as here in the UK we are the first country tasked with getting to grips with major changes to ASR waste legislation that will set the precedent for the rest of the world.

“The aim is to minimise waste to landfill and take out all the component parts of vehicle including metals, plastics, glass, rubber and textiles. This has been traditionally classed as non-hazardous waste, but now with advanced sorting technology waste analysis can uncover persistent organic pollutants or (POPs), which are found in the non-flammable protection applied to vehicles. To be able to extract all the smaller component parts the industry needs to invest in more advanced, and therefore more expensive, technology and we need time and detailed data to be able to progress with this.”

“As one of the first countries tasked with the new regulations the industry will be looking to the UK to see how the changes are implemented while making the recycling sector more efficient and sustainable. I’m looking forward to playing a part in bringing these changes into effect.”

For more information on the Bureau of International Recycling and its upcoming events, visit: https://www.bir.org/.

For more information on Ward’s multi-award-winning metal recycling and waste management solutions, visit: www.ward.com.

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The award celebrates those who have made longstanding contributions to the metal recycling industry.  Michael, who was nominated by Donald Ward, Operations Director, was presented with his Award at the BMRA Annual Dinner at the end of 2023.

Michael has worked in the industry for the entirety of his professional career. Then known as Donald Ward, Ward Recycling was established in 1940 by Michael’s grandfather, Donald, before Michael and his brother, David, both joint Managing Directors, took it over in the 1990s, working alongside their children.

During his 50 years with the business, Michael has helped Ward grow from one site and to an award-winning multisite company with an annual turnover in excess of £300million. The firm employs over 400 people locally, efficiently manages a modern fleet of over 120 vehicles and two dockside operations for metal export. Despite the scale of Ward’s success, family remains at the heart of the business with 10% of employees being family members.

Today, with Michael stepping back and the Ward board of Directors taking the reins, Ward continues to grow from strength-to-strength with multiple divisions processing everything from scrap metal to recycled waste products. It is also committed to innovating and improving its operations through various initiatives, including The Ward Way, its sustainability road map to 2030.

As metal recycling and waste management specialists, Ward’s aim is to achieve zero to landfill wherever possible and it places great value on the importance of operating a way which is socially, environmentally, and economically resilient. It aims to deliver long-lasting social and economic development for future generations and the communities that it is a part of.

Michael Ward said: “To be recognised with this BMRA award is a huge honour. I am extremely proud of what Ward has achieved during my 50 years tenure, and am pleased that as a local business, we have played our part in supporting and growing the industry. Family is and always has been the heartbeat of the business and I am looking forward to seeing further Ward generations coming through the ranks to grow the legacy that my grandfather started all those years ago.”

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward said: ‘We were all incredibly proud to see Michael Ward be recognised by the BMRA with a service award for more than 50 years’ dedication to the British metal recycling sector. His achievements over this time have been truly remarkable, and his reputation within the industry is second to none. We’re looking forward to celebrating many more years of service together.”

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With an investment of over £1 million, it has upgraded its fleet to accommodate the extended services, with the addition of new wheelie bins, Front End Loading (FEL) vehicles, skips and bespoke containers.

The new services boost Ward’s commercial waste management offering across several sectors, including hospitality, construction and demolition, manufacturing and industrial, retail, facilities management, offices and public sector organisations such as education and local authorities.

The service will initially focus on Derby, Nottingham, Chesterfield and the surrounding area, with plans to expand beyond the East Midlands over time.

Ward has also launched a new dedicated online quoting system, providing clear and concise pricing information which allows customers to raise estimates for services in their area and this can be found via ward.com/compaction.

Heather Foo, Head of Sales (Waste) at Ward, said: “This is a great addition to the wide range of waste management solutions we already provide, offering a comprehensive waste collection and recycling service across all sectors.”

“Our compaction business provides a cost effective service solution for regular waste management with our fleet designed to meet the needs of every customer. We are proud of our reputation for providing an exemplary service and this new launch underpins our commitment to being a leading provider of waste management solutions.”

Ward is focused on providing its customers with the most cost efficient carbon neutral recycling service via its modern energy efficient fleet, all recycled at its state-of-the-art new £10m recycling facility in Ilkeston.

Ward’s existing waste management solutions include a fully comprehensive collection service for commercial, industrial and construction waste, ferrous and non-ferrous recycling, hazardous waste management, secure destruction, confidential waste management and textile recycling

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Through our sustainability road map, the Ward Way, we are fully committed to protecting the environment and reversing the damaging effects of climate change. Our ambition is to achieve zero-landfill both for our clients and through our metal recycling and waste management practices and operations.

When we were contracted for a demolition job in Northampton at a former Howdens factory site, our aim was, as always, to recycle as much material as possible. Soon after arriving on site, we noticed a CopriSystems roof structure was in excellent condition, despite being nearly 30 years old and we were keen to salvage it for use at our Chesterfield site.

Teaming up for a sustainable result

The building had been installed by structure specialist CopriSystems 28 years previously but showed little sign of structural wear and tear. After some initial groundwork, we moved the building to our Chesterfield site, reassembling it over a three-day period.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of servicing over the decades, the cover had been subject to extensive damage, particularly during Storm Dennis. Despite efforts to repurpose it for other operations, the damage was too extensive so it was sent through our recycling process.

We worked with CopriSystems to manufacture and fit a new weather-resistant PVC cover. During the consultation process, 36 new bracing bars were added to reduce future wind damage and provide additional measures for air circulation.

An efficient, all-weather solution

The building is now used on a range of recycling projects and provides a large undercover area that allows us to continue with our operations regardless of weather conditions. The building is also retractable, a very useful feature and allows us to move the roof back if we need to operate larger machinery or cranes in the area.

Thanks to its flexibility, we now have a large, covered operational space that can be quickly converted for outdoor use as required. This increased workspace has boosted our efficiency in providing bespoke recycling services to our customers.

A flexible eye on the future

Looking beyond our current operations, the building can also be moved between sites. This means that, as Ward continues to grow, we have the flexibility to move with the business, hopefully providing a unique solution for years to come.

For more information on how Ward can support you with your recycling and demolition requirements, contact 0345 337 0000 and enquiries@ward.com.

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Now in their fourth year, the Awards recognise the foremost national and international players in the demolition industry and celebrate the sector’s achievements both in the UK and further afield. 

The winners were announced during a special ceremony held on September 2nd at Leicester’s King Power Stadium. 

When announcing Ward’s win, the judges highlighted the firm’s commitment to processing both waste materials and scrap metal, offering a total recycling solution to the demolition sector. In addition to Ward’s comprehensive service provision, the firm’s substantial global export operation was also highly commended. 

A spokesperson from the judging panel said:

“Processing c.1,000,000 tonnes of materials annually, Ward recycles products such as metals, plastics, glass, cardboard, wood, textiles, soils, and hardcore to ensure its demolition customers fulfil their environmental regulations.

Ward has progressed over a number of years from collecting and receiving scrap from demolition projects close to its original site in Burton to operating nationwide. The business now receives enquiries from all over the UK, Europe and the Far East as a testament to its growing status as a progressive and innovative partner to demolition companies.” 

Commercial Director at Ward, David Ward Jnr, said:

“It’s an honour to receive this award and be recognised among such esteemed members of the demolition community. 

We’ve worked hard over the years to drive a significant period of growth for the firm and are proud that our efforts have paid off. We now work across a network of nationwide demolition sites to support the industry with effective waste management, and we have ambitious targets for our expanding export business. To be acknowledged as a trusted demolition industry partner in this way is incredibly humbling.”

As a part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Ward also sponsored the Environmental Innovation Award, which was won by family-owned and operated specialist contractor Cawarden.

For more information on our metal recycling and waste management solutions for the demolition and construction industry, visit our Special Projects.

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