May Gurney increases services foothold in Essex

The four-year contract, which began at the end of last week (July 1) and has an option to be extended by another one or two years, adds to May Gurney's existing work on road and highways maintenance with the South East council by seeing it take charge of 11 of the council's waste and recycling sites.

The council currently operates a total of 23 household waste and recycling centres, which allow residents to deposit material including garden waste, engine oil, plastic bottle and scrap metal, as well as furniture and other bulky items for reuse and recycling.

Aiming to make the centres “more accessible” for the general public, May Gurney claimed that it also intended to focus on “better management of trade waste” and work to reduce lorry movements.

Sarah Chapman, operations director for May Gurney, said: “We will be making the sites easier and more accessible for the general public to use. Our staff will be trained to meet and greet customers, and advise them on how to recycle more and waste less.”

Tracey Chapman, cabinet member for environment and waste at Essex county council, said: “Essex county council has pledged to increase recycling of waste to over 45% in 2009, rising to over 50% within the next three years. So, it is imperative that we provide the very best recycling facilities for our residents. We look forward to working with May Gurney to help provide this in the south of the county.”

May Gurney currently operates 43 household waste and recycling centres across the UK on behalf of local authorities including Gloucestershire, Sandwell, Walsall and the London boroughs of Ealing and Waltham Forest.