Virgin Media O2 expands Coventry device reuse partnership
Virgin Media O2 has announced an 18-month expansion of its partnership with Coventry City Council to support the council’s #CovConnects digital inclusion and device reuse programme.
The initiative collects end-of-first-life corporate devices and refurbishes them for residents in need, helping to reduce e-waste and promote circularity in the tech sector.
Through the extended partnership, the organisations aim to boost donations from local businesses and public sector bodies while tackling barriers to device reuse.
Since its 2022 launch, #CovConnects has rehomed more than 4,700 refurbished laptops and smartphones via community groups, frontline services and health providers.
Virgin Media O2’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dana Haidan, said: “Our ambition is to create a model of circularity that has a reuse-first approach, enabled via local device banks, which can then be replicated and rolled out across the UK.
“The most successful circular models are ones that are hyperlocal, utilising networks and partners that are grounded in local community needs.”
Forest Green Rovers introduce compostable packaging for matchdays
Forest Green Rovers has partnered with Vegware and Grundon to introduce a closed-loop composting system for matchday packaging.
From September, fans have been served food and drink in Vegware’s plant-based, compostable packaging, collected and processed by Grundon to be turned back into nutrient-rich soil.
Vegware’s waste consultancy team and Grundon’s experts are working with the club to install clear bin systems to ensure materials are correctly captured and composted.
Stephen Hill, Grundon’s General Manager – Group Commercial Development, said: “Compostable packaging combined with specialist collection services we can provide is literally a game-changer for both Forest Green Rovers and the wider sporting community, and has huge potential for the future.”
Eilidh O’Connor, Head of Environmental at Vegware, added: “Forest Green Rovers share our vision for a world where sustainability is part of everyday choices.
“Together, we’re proving that sport can be a powerful platform for sustainable change.”
Skips go pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Waste management company SunSkips has launched a fleet of bright pink skips to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Available for hire throughout October, the initiative raises funds and awareness for the cause while showcasing the value of reuse and refurbishment in the waste sector.
In collaboration with CB Skip Services, SunSkips transformed its familiar orange containers through volunteer-led refurbishment, giving worn skips a second life.
Each skip has been repainted and personalised with names of community members affected by breast cancer, creating a meaningful local tribute.
CB Skip Services Director Chris Blom said: “One of the guys that works for us does the spray painting, and when he heard what we were doing it for, he came up with the idea to paint the names of people in our community who have been affected by breast cancer.
“It makes each skip feel personal, and it gives families a chance to see their loved ones remembered.”
SunEnviro, the parent company, will donate £500 to the cause.
Mat Stewart, SunEnviro CEO, added: “This campaign is about showing our support for people in our community who are dealing with breast cancer and giving customers the chance to join us in that effort.”
CIWM’s Sarah Poulter named CEO of the Year
Sarah Poulter, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), has been named CEO of the Year at the 2025 Memcom Excellence Awards.
The accolade recognises outstanding strategic leadership within the professional membership sector and celebrates Poulter’s 25-year contribution to CIWM, including six years at its helm.
Under her leadership, CIWM has strengthened its position as the definitive voice of the UK’s resources and waste sector, advancing its mission to “move the world beyond waste.”
The judges highlighted her role in driving digital innovation, fostering inclusion and leading the acquisition of the Circular Economy Institute and Clubs.
Poulter commented: “This award reflects the hard work of all our staff, who have been instrumental in our success!
“Our sector faces key challenges in achieving Net Zero, fuelling growth and driving resource resilience. This recognition reinforces our determination to ensure our members are positioned to lead that essential transition to a sustainable future.
“We will continue to champion the much-needed development in our sector to drive the circular economy to move the world beyond waste.”
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