Entrepreneur buys Hampshire organics firm

The Hampshire-based organics recycler, which was founded in 2010, recently moved to new premises in Ringwood to enable expansion.

Mr Keeshan has previously worked in the financial, technology, recruitment and hospitality sectors, but wanted to become involved in an industry that ‘helps the environment’.

Eco Food Recycling, which was purchased for an undisclosed sum, collects food waste from hundreds of sites including supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the UK.

It transports food waste to Eco Sustainable Solutions’ anaerobic digestion plant in Piddlehinton, Dorset, which opened in 2012 to process feedstock from the county council and commercial clients (see letsrecycle.com story).

Based on the Endeavour Business Park in Crow, Eco Food’s main business centres lie in the south-central region, although it covers collections across the whole country via national partnership programmes.

Founder

The firm’s founder, Simon Heaps, will stay on for two years as commercial manager in order to provide continuity for the firm’s clients.

He said: “Companies are now realising that having their food waste collected makes them fully compliant with the ‘waste hierarchy’ rules, which means that all waste must be recycled where possible, as opposed to going to landfill.

“It also helps them with their Corporate Social Responsibility policies as well as improving the environment for our children and future generations. Nearly all companies have waste recycling targets and a mandate to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Mr Keeshan added: “When the opportunity came up to get involved with a green enterprise I jumped at the chance. I’ve worked in several sectors but my skills have always centred around service propositions.”

“I wanted to do something that is positive for the environment – especially as I have young children – and taking on Eco Food Recycling is very exciting. Simon has developed a great business model and has agreed to stay on to help build and grow the company further.”

He added: “Food is the heaviest waste stream and in most cases the only thing left to recycle. By diverting this waste stream from landfill companies can achieve their recycling targets and reduce their carbon footprint.”