FCC Environment uses former landfill and quarry sites for ‘energy crops’

Resource and waste management company FCC Environment is using its landbank to grow ‘energy crops’ for biomass fuel. The company has been planting Miscanthus grass, commonly referred to as elephant grass, at several restored landfill and quarry sites across the country.

Miscanthus grass

This year’s crop was recently harvested, totalling over 420 tonnes – this would typically produce 1,983,333 KW of low carbon energy, FCC Environment says, enough to power around 531 homes for a year.

One of the sites is located in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire. The 20-hectare site currently yields around 175 tonnes of the carbon-neutral biomass fuel, now that the crop is established. FCC Environment has since outlined its intentions to increase the harvested area to 40 hectares, giving it the potential to produce around 350 tonnes in the coming years.

Anthony Porter, Senior Engineering and Restoration Manager at FCC Environment, said: “As the UK looks to meet its net zero targets, we need to be constantly thinking about what changes we can make to achieve them, no matter how small.

“Miscanthus grass is a truly sustainable renewable energy crop that is seeing rising demand for UK heat and power generation due to its rapid growth, low maintenance, low mineral content, lifespan of over 20 years and high biomass yield. These factors, along with its remarkable environmental credentials, make it the ideal biomass fuel.”

Reconomy wins waterways waste contract

Circular resource management provider Reconomy has recently been commissioned to manage the collection, processing, and disposal of hazardous waste materials from over 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales.

Canal waste collection

Awarded by the Canal and River Trust, a national charity that aims to protect and promote UK waterways, the contract is set to involve a range of waste management services and systems intended to reduce the impact of hazardous waste, and improve the experiences of all those using Britain’s waterways. At present, Reconomy collects general waste from some waterway sites, but the new contract will be a step up in its waste management services.

Reconomy has pledged to support the Trust in its sustainability goals, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of the waterways’ ‘more challenging waste scenarios’, in an effort to improve access to waterways for the most urban areas.

Jamie Bryan, Framework Contract Manager at The Canal and River Trust, said: “Our canals and rivers run through some of the most heavily populated communities in England and Wales, providing accessible green and blue space where they are needed most.

“They also bring vital well-being opportunities to millions, which is more important than ever, given the struggles we have all faced over the last 18 months. The swift and correct management of waste - and in particular, hazardous materials such as oil and fuel spillages and fly-tipped waste - is critically important to maintaining the high standards of our waterways.”

Harvey Laud, Divisional Director at Reconomy, said: “We are looking forward to playing our part, supporting the Trust in preserving and enhancing the waterways and surrounding environment for the benefit of the public and future generations.”

DS Smith awarded Platinum rating from EcoVadis

DS Smith has been awarded the ‘Platinum’ rating by sustainability ratings platform EcoVadis, up from a ‘Gold’ rating last year. This places DS Smith in the top one per cent of the 75,000 best-rated companies assessed by EcoVadis globally, and in the top two per cent of its industry overall.

The packaging company was awarded a 90 per cent score for its performance in sustainable procurement, with praise for its supplier engagement programme and FSC chain of custody certification, as well as an 80 per cent score on environmental additions, with commendations for its ‘exceptional’ reporting.

It was additionally praised for its ‘Now and Next’ sustainability strategy, alongside its commitments to sourcing 100 per cent recycled or chain of custody certified papers and maintaining the ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification at 100 per cent of its in-scope sites.

Wouter van Tol, Head of Government, Community Affairs and Sustainability at DS Smith, said: “We are delighted to have improved our EcoVadis score and achieved a platinum rating. EcoVadis is an important rating to our customers, who use the platform to assess our performance as their provider of sustainable packaging solutions.

“As a key part of their packaging supply chain, our customers want reassurance that we can support them in achieving their own sustainable packaging goals by reducing the impact of the products they buy from us and delivering strong ESG performance with our Now and Next sustainability strategy.”

Oliver Bradley, Sustainability Reporting Manager at DS Smith, added: “EcoVadis sits alongside our other priority ESG ratings that we engage with to independently review our performance and reassure customers, investors and other partners that we are delivering strong ESG and sustainability performance throughout our business.

“There are always opportunities to improve and we value the chance to have our performance assessed.”