Waste management partnership leads to award

The successful partnership between Acumen Distribution and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has led to the Council winning The Waste Management Award at the 2011 Government Business Awards. Held at Twickenham Rugby Stadium on the 17th February and presented by BBC news presenter, Bill Turnbull, the Government Business Awards recognise effective business practice in local and central government.

The Waste Management Award is presented to the Local Authority that has presented an environmentally sound and cost effective waste management programme that reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and provides a high level of service to residents. The borough council beat off stiff competition from schemes run by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, London Borough of Hillingdon, Peterborough City Council and Hull City Council.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has seen kerbside recyclable rates close to doubling from 27% to over 50% in just 10 months aided by a seven year long partnership with Acumen Distribution. In July 2009, plastic bottles and cardboard were added to the fortnightly recycling collection and in March 2010, weekly food waste collections were launched along with the extension of the fortnightly garden waste service to all homes with a garden.

Cllr. David Becket, Cabinet member for environment and recycling at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: "I’m delighted and very proud that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s service has won this national award, especially as we were the only district council in the category. I would like to dedicate this award to our residents who have clearly embraced recycling and also our members of staff and contractors Acumen Distribution for providing an excellent service."

Acumen Distribution’s Waste Transfer Station handles paper, card, plastics, cans, glass, textiles and food waste. The amount of recycling has grown to 250 tonnes per week and is still rising. The company collects recyclates four days a week from Tuesday to Friday using nine trucks which include five Terberg kerbside vehicles on Dennis Eagle chassis, two Mitsubishi 7.5 tonne light vehicles for rural collections and difficult access and two twin pack compactor vehicles.

Commenting John Stocker, Commercial Director of Acumen Distribution says: "The outstanding recycling system, which is supported by WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) is designed to produce the best quality material for recycling and has already produced dramatic results, while delivering £500,000 of savings. These figures and the award prove that Newcastle-under-Lyme residents have embraced recycling with its benefits to the community and the environment ".