WASTE SERVICES WINS UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON WASTE AND RECYCLING CONTRACT

Southampton, 26 March 2007 - Waste Services (UK) Ltd, the south coast-based commercial, marine and hazardous waste disposal and recycling contractor, today announced that it has won its first major education contract since being acquired near the end of 2006 by independent municipal services contractor Verdant Group plc (www.verdant-group.co.uk).

From 1st  February, Waste Services (www.wasteservices.co.uk) has been providing a six day-a-week waste and recycling collection service for the University of Brighton, adding to its existing contracts with Southampton, Bournemouth and Portsmouth universities.

The 30-month contract, with an option for a further year, is being implemented at the university’s campuses in Brighton as well as at its Eastbourne and Hastings sites. The new scheme, for which Waste Services has delivered a total of 80 brand new wheeled bins, provides for a significant expansion of recycling cans, plastics, paper, cardboard and glass at University of Brighton sites and campuses.

Headquartered in Southampton, Waste Services will work alongside the university to introduce an extensive recycling campaign.  Promotion will be undertaken to make students and staff more aware of the new recycling facilities available. 

The university has over 20,000 UK and international students, plus 2,100 staff and is well-known for providing high quality teaching and research with a strong professional and applied focus. The university, in partnership with the University of Sussex, boasts one of the most popular medical schools in the country in terms of applications.

Gavin Ford, of Estate & Facilities Management, and Karen Watts, of Purchasing Services at the university, said: “Today’s competitive academic environment demands a high degree of business management, not least because we’ve invested over £100 million in developing the university and its facilities.

“Like any other business, especially one which is ‘home’ to over 20,000 people, it’s imperative that we address environmental practices such as waste management and reduction. We appointed Waste Services to this role because they impressed with their proven track record in the education sector, their commitment to improving efficiencies, and their convincing belief that the service can lift recycling rates.

“The university is keen to reduce its impact on the local environment and is pleased to incorporate recycling into the work that is already going on across its sites. The university has participated in the voluntary government-backed UK Emissions Trading Scheme and has reduced CO2 emissions by 9.6% over the last five years.

“The array of solar panels installed at the university’s sports centre in Eastbourne is the largest of its type in the country, and the university has also worked with the Students’ Union and City Council to successfully introduce recycling in all student halls of residence.”

Waste Services’ managing director Roger Edwards added: “Since Verdant acquired the Waste Services business, we’ve been following a number of new business leads. We’re delighted that the University of Brighton has chosen us as their service provider, and look forward to applying our extensive professional experience to delivering higher standards of waste collection, and to cutting waste with our integrated recycling approach.”

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For further media information, contact:

Blair Drummond, Waste Services’ PR consultant – tel (m) 07798 686 217, email blair.drummond@btopenworld.com