Waste management company Biffa has published a new strategy outlining its long-term sustainability plans, which include significant investment in the UK's sustainable infrastructure.

The strategy, entitled ‘Resourceful, Responsible’, sets out Biffa’s plans to unlock an estimated £1.25 billion of investment in UK green economic infrastructure by 2030 through expanding the company’s low-carbon collection business, quadrupling its plastic recycling capability and developing two new energy-from-waste (EfW) plans, which will produce enough energy to power approximately 170,000 homes.

Having already reduced its carbon emissions by 65 per cent since 2002, the waste management company now intends to deliver a further 50 per cent reduction by 2030. The strategy explains that this will be achieved through increased recycling and diversion from landfill, and by increasing the efficiency of collection routes by 20 per cent.

Biffa has also made plans to replace fossil-fuelled refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) with electric refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) – a measure that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 290,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, according to a recent study from Eunomia Research and Consulting.

The company also intends to create at least 100 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030 through installing solar farms on closed and restored landfill sites.

Michael Topham, Chief Executive of Biffa plc, commented: “‘Resourceful, Responsible’ fully supports our strategic growth plans and long-term vision, defining the important role Biffa can play in delivering more sustainable solutions to help combat the UK’s waste challenge.

“I am very proud of the great progress that we, and the wider industry, have made in recent years to grow recycling levels and drive significant reduction in CO2 emissions, but we recognise that there is much more to do.

“‘Resourceful, Responsible’ is an ambitious but deliverable strategy which is based on proven technologies and is supported by our previously outlined investment plans.

“We look forward to reporting on our progress in the coming years as we deliver this plan and the exciting investment opportunities that it presents to our business.”

With the Environment Bill announcing that the UK will be banning exports of plastic waste to developing countries, waste management companies have taken steps to boost domestic plastic recycling infrastructure, aiming to end reliance on exports and drive recycling rates – earlier this year, Biffa opened its £27.5-million PET plastic bottle recycling facility in Seaham, County Durham, and has announced that it will be building a £7-million facility in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

You can read the ‘Resourceful, Responsible’ sustainability strategy on Biffa’s website.