It has been a couple of months since you joined Veolia Environmental Services. How are you settling into the UK?
Iam settling in well. I have moved my family over here to London and my children are now attending an English school. They did not speak a word of English until a few months ago!
How does the UK waste industry differ from that in France where you worked previously?
“I think the UKs recycling and recovery is really impressive and better than what it is in France.”
– Estelle Brachlianoff
The UK is a little different from France but not too much as we use the same kinds of technology. What is different is what the country has gone through which is impressive. Where the UK and France were ten years ago and where they are now, what has been achieved in this country is impressive. Landfilling in the UK was at about 82% and now it is at 45%. France was better at that time – now I think the UKs recycling and recovery is really impressive and better than what it is in France.
You are the first female chief executive for Veolia ES. Do you think that women will increasingly play an important role in this sector?
I think it shows two things. The first is that the waste management industry has changed a lot. It is not the old fashioned waste management industry that we used to know 20 years ago. We are now talking about recycling, health and safety and the environment and I am not sure we could have said that 10 years ago. That is what I like about the industry – it moves fast.
The second thing is that of course we need diversity in all companies that could be in terms of gender but it could also be in other types of things. I dont think it is really only in waste management.
Are the investments being made by Veolia at present in the UK particularly important in the current economic climate?
Veolia ES UK has been a major leader in the green economy within this country. I have three things in mind. Firstly the jobs that are created, secondly the amount of money invested and thirdly turning waste into a resource. Making the environment better: here on this site we have composting and recycling and on the other site we have recovery in the form of the ERF.
Ido believe it is very important to make things better for the planet but always having in mind the jobs that we create and that we are a major actor within the local community. The green economy is creating growth in this country and we are part of that story.
Does the Padworth Integrated Waste Management facility encapsulate what Veolia is about as a company?
Everything is here at Padworth. We have had the chance to invest in the local community and school and pay attention to environmental issues, such as protecting different species, as well as turn more waste into a resource.
What are your priorities for Veolia moving forward?
It is more of the same. It is more of turning waste into a resource, producing more energy, composting and recycling; everything we do. Firstly, we have a lot of plans and investment in the UK. We have committed to 1 billion of investment in the next six years. So we will be investing the same kind of money we have been already. We believe the UK is a wonderful market.
Secondly, more with regards to go further together which is an internal strategy for more commitment to communities and health and safety. I think being a leader is not only about being the biggest company but it is also about showing the way forward for example in health and safety.
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