Buckinghamshire-based Biffa was brought in to identify and make improvements in the management of TK Maxxs waste as part of the retailers aim to improve its environmental impact.
As a result, TK Maxx now diverts 86% of its waste from landfill. This represents a 78% increase in its recycling rate in less than six months.
According to TK Maxx, its waste to landfill has now fallen by 4,800 tonnes each year. This has resulted in a 33% reduction in disposal costs compared to the same quarter since it began working with Biffa on a waste reduction scheme in September 2012.
Biffa said it had enabled this transformation by helping TK Maxx to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Biffa corporate account manager, Dave Robinson, worked with TK Maxx head office and local branches to ensure waste management practices were replicated throughout the company.
‘significant progress’
He said: By working with Biffa, TK Maxx has been able to make significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint. They are now recycling much more and spending less on waste disposal, meaning more savings to pass onto customers.
Peter Hewitt, global sourcing and procurement manager at TJX Europe, which owns TK Maxx, said: Biffas Dave Robinson successfully turned the spotlight on our waste management practices and his work has really confirmed the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. We are naturally thrilled to be making such significant savings on disposal costs, and were doing our bit for the environment too.
He added: This is one of the most successful changes we have made as part of our commitment to be a responsible retailer.
Launched in the UK in 1994, TK Maxx has 297 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Biffa was last week (February 7) given planning permission by Leeds city council last week for its planned energy recovery incinerator at Stourton for commercial and industrial waste (see letsrecycle.com story).
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