Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 16th January 2025 Issue no. 1145
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Sustainable alliance: Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling strive for greener future
Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling have formed a successful partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
By collaborating on food waste collection and recycling initiatives, both organisations have made significant strides towards a greener future.
Falkirk Council selected Keenan Recycling as its commercial food waste collection partner in 2019 after a competitive procurement process. This strategic decision aligned with the council's ambitious sustainability goals, and enabled customers to be compliant with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.
Keenan Recycling collects food waste from Falkirk Council's commercial customers including schools, community centres, restaurants, cafes and places of worship. Additionally, Keenan Recycling now collects food waste from the Council's communal flatted properties.
The partnership has yielded tangible results:
* Diverting waste from landfill: Over 2,250 tonnes of food waste has been diverted from landfill since 2019
* Reducing carbon emissions: The food waste collected is transformed into renewable energy via Anaerobic Digestion (AD), significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The electricity produced through this AD process is enough to power 250 British households for an entire year
* Enhancing community awareness: By educating residents and businesses about the importance of food waste reduction, the partnership has fostered a culture of sustainability
"Our partnership with Keenan Recycling has been instrumental in diverting significant amounts of food waste from landfill," says Barry Neill, waste services manager, Falkirk Council.
“The reliable and efficient service, combined with the team’s commitment to sustainability, aligns perfectly with the Council's Net Zero aspirations, meets BMW 2025 ban and aligns to the Circular Economy Act.
"We're particularly impressed with the company’s innovative approach to waste management, including the use of technology to optimise collection routes and improve data analysis. We monitor tonnages for individual locations and tailor engagement. Keenan also assists in addressing any issues such as contamination.
Claire Keenan, collections director at Keenan Recycling, says: "We are delighted to have partnered with Falkirk Council for over five years. The forward-thinking organisation shares our commitment to sustainability. Together, we have successfully diverted thousands of tonnes of food waste from landfill and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to continuing our partnership and working towards a greener future."
Grant Keenan, managing director at Keenan Recycling, adds: "Our partnership with Falkirk Council is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving a more sustainable future. By working together, we're not only reducing waste but also creating a positive impact on the environment. We're proud to be part of this journey and look forward to continuing our efforts to drive sustainable change."
As Falkirk Council continues its journey towards a more sustainable future, the partnership with Keenan Recycling remains a crucial component. By working together, they are setting an example for other local authorities and businesses, demonstrating that sustainable practices can be both effective and beneficial.
Keenan Recycling, said to be the largest food waste collection company in the UK, collects food waste from every postcode in Wales, Scotland, and England on its own fleet. Food waste is collected from businesses and is then transformed into either compost, renewable electricity, gas, heat, or fuel. Its ever-growing fleet of specialised food waste collection vehicles including hydrogen and HVO, operate across 24 depots, offering private and public sector clients an opportunity to segregate food waste, lower their carbon footprint, and improve their green credentials.
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