Maidstone borough council was awarded an “excellent” rating at the Kent-based reprocessor's first Supplier Quality Awards, which aims to promote best practice in local authority paper recycling.
The awards also saw Teignbridge district council and Hastings borough council recognised for their efforts with “highly commended” ratings.
Aylesford said the awards recognise those organisations who consistently deliver contaminant-free recovered paper to the Kent mill – from kerbside or bring bank collections.
The company's recycling operations manager, Andrew Perkins, explained: “What we were looking for was dry, fresh – less than three months old – and clean paper. We were particularly looking for those that were free from contaminants such as food and glass.”
Each load received by the company goes through “rigorous quality assessment” at the mill or one of Aylesford's 37 transfer stations. The company said this approach allows it to reward suppliers working to the highest standards, and also provide feedback and assistance for suppliers.
Maidstone
Maidstone borough council introduced kerbside collection services 18 months ago to pick up used newspaper and magazines from 30,000 households. After overcoming teething problems, the council has delivered 2,000 tonnes of paper to Aylesford Material in the last 12 months.
“We have been very impressed with the improvement in the quality of paper supplied by Maidstone borough council,” Mr Perkins said.
The council's recycling officer, David Watkins, praised the people of Maidstone for their “willingness to recycle” and waste contractors Biffa for ensuring the paper collected was free of contaminants.
He explained that the council had provided householders with leaflets showing what could and could not be recycled, while collection teams were given training to help spot contaminated paper. The council aims to expand the paper collection service to the borough's remaining 30,000 households in the next two years.
Commenting on the awards, Aylesford Newsprint's commercial manager, Chris White, said: “As we divert more and more material from landfill into recycling, the overall quality of the material collected may deteriorate. Therefore, it is important that we redouble our efforts to achieve the quality required to make premium quality 100% recycled newsprint.”
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