Biffa and Wasteaid visit the Gambia
Biffa and WasteAid have joined forces to launch sustainable waste management projects in Gambia, with a focus on creating eco-friendly fuel from coconut husks and peanut shells.
Since their collaboration in 2019, Biffa and WasteAid have been providing financial and technical support to develop waste management and recycling solutions in lower and middle-income nations.
This partnership has facilitated the expansion of WasteAid’s initiatives from four projects in four countries to over 12 programmes across nine countries in Africa and Asia.
During a recent visit to Gambia, representatives from Biffa and WasteAid witnessed the impact of their efforts first-hand. They met with a cooperative of women gardeners who received training and equipment to produce sustainable fuel briquettes using ground coconut husks and peanut shells.
Additionally, the team visited Tanji, a beachside fishing community, where residents have established a business called Seneya, meaning ‘cleanliness.’
Carla Brian, head of partnerships at Biffa said: “Biffa and WasteAid share a common purpose: to change the way people think about waste to help tackle the global challenge of pollution and climate change.
“In Gambia, we had the honour of meeting collector groups, policymakers, waste entrepreneurs and community leaders, to witness first-hand the positive impact of WasteAid’s programmes there.
“It’s not just about managing waste; it’s about transforming lives and livelihoods. From plastics to textiles, seeing waste turned into valuable commodities is nothing short of remarkable.”
Swansea partners with Dyfed Recycling
Swansea City AFC has announced a new partnership with Dyfed Recycling for waste disposal operations at Swansea City AFC sites, including the Swansea.com stadium, Fairwood training ground, and Landore Academy training ground.
Dyfed Recycling, part of the Owens Group, is headquartered in Llanelli and has nearly three decades of expertise in the field. It specialises in delivering holistic waste management and recycling solutions, meticulously crafted to cater to the diverse requirements of local residents, commercial entities, and the construction industry alike. The company operates throughout Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
The partnership will see Dyfed Recycling take over the waste disposal from Swansea.com Stadium, Fairwood Training Ground and Landore Academy Training Ground.
Simon Morris, manager of Dyfed Recycling Services, said: “We are honoured to work in partnership with Swansea City AFC to assist with all their waste disposal requirements.
“Our team is committed to delivering exceptional services that support the club’s values of sustainability and community involvement. Together, we look forward to making a positive impact while meeting the upcoming legislative changes with efficiency and expertise.”
Grundon introduces volunteer programme
Grundon commemorated Food Waste Action Week (18-24 March) by introducing a corporate volunteering initiative in collaboration with The Felix Project, a food redistribution charity based in London.
Under this new programme, Grundon employees will be given the opportunity to volunteer at any of The Felix Project’s four locations across the capital on a monthly basis. This initiative further strengthens the longstanding partnership between Grundon and The Felix Project, which has seen Grundon providing complimentary waste collection services for the past eight years.
Alex Grant, Grundon’s sustainability manager, said: “Having seen the great work that The Felix Project does first-hand, we’re thrilled to extend our corporate partnership by enabling our employees to volunteer for such a good cause.
“The amount of perfectly good food that, for whatever reason is thrown away, is incredibly wasteful, as well as being bad for the environment. The charity does a tremendous job in collecting, sorting, cooking and redistributing surplus food to those in need and we are very pleased to support them in whatever way we can.”
Suez distributes fridge thermometers to food pantry members
During Food Waste Action Week, Somerset Council, in collaboration with Suez recycling and recovery, are distributing fridge thermometers to every food pantry member.
Keeping fridges set between 0°C to 5°C can extend the freshness of food by up to three days, offering families an opportunity to minimise waste and stretch their food budgets further.
Cllr Dixie Darch, executive lead member for climate and environment at Somerset council, said: “Simple steps can help to prevent food waste, and importantly save money. We want to help families avoid unnecessary food waste, a simple way to start is by checking your fridge is at the correct temperature.
“When stored correctly, fresh food could last up to three days longer, providing opportunity to feed the family – and not the bin!”
Subscribe for free