contents welcome to fcc environment – from waste to resource · 2019. 6. 24. · 2 — 3 fcc...

Introduction04 Foreword 06 Who we are 08 What we do 10 FCC in numbers

Highlights and challenges13 Contract wins and renewals 15 The grand opening 16 Millerhill recycling and energy recovery facility 18 Awards

People focus21 Health and Safety 23 Equality and diversity 24 Gender pay gap 26 Attracting talent 28 Training and development 30 ABCD Awards

Environmental commitment33 Regulatory compliance 34 Carbon footprint 36 Driving fuel efficiencies 38 Investing in solar power 40 Land restoration

Doing the right thing43 Integrated Management System 46 Contributing to communities

Forward thinking53 FCC Group Innovation 55 Waste policy and Brexit 57 FCC, innovating for the next generation

Appendix58 Waste management methods 2017 59 Environmental commitment

Contents

Welcome to FCC Environment – from waste to resource

2 — 3 FCC Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Our able workforce is equipped with the knowledge, experience and passion for FCC Environment to be an exemplar of safe and sustainable resource management. We manage waste for 60 local authority areas and 4000 business waste customers, and recycle 1.6 million tonnes of material each year. How we operate has an impact on environmental and social wellbeing and it is important that we celebrate our successes while always aiming higher.

Corporate social responsibility isn’t simply a box to tick. It’s a way of running a successful business to everybody’s benefit. We help our clients meet their legal, social and corporate commitments, and this is our opportunity to assess and report on our own development.

Our business grows best on shared values – within the company, and with our neighbours, regulators and customers. This too, is our corporate social responsibility.

Paul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

Introduction


Corporate social responsibility is fundamental to FCC Environment’s role as a leading waste and recycling company. We have a duty to invest, innovate, and drive good practice and this report highlights many of the ways we deliver on these commitments.

Foreword

Doing the right thing

To ensure the ongoing success of our business, we focus on our customers to ensure our services meet their needs

Forward thinking

By embracing change, we can be better prepared for the future, whatever it may bring

Our values —

Delivering clarity and directionSafety, Health, Environmental

and Quality Policy Statement 2017 Our corporate social responsibility activities are underpinned by our company policies. See www.fccenvironment.co.uk

People focus

We value our people and genuinely enjoy what we do – which is why our people enjoy working with us too

Environmental commitment

We care about what we do and how we do it; running our operations in an environmentally and socially responsible way

Introduction

FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies, helping thousands of businesses and communities waste less and recycle more. We benefit from being part of the FCC Group, one of the world’s largest environmental services companies.

Every waste collection is an opportunity to reclaim valuable resources and improve the environment we all share. We use the latest recycling and green energy technology to recover as much value as possible and minimise the use of landfill.

Who we are

FCC Corporate Social Responsibility Report6 — 7

What we do

Every day we minimise the amount of waste that ends up in landfill by transforming it into something valuable. We collect recyclables and waste – from businesses, local authorities and households – and process it to ensure we fully realise its potential as a resource.


Business & Municipal Services FCC Environment provides excellent service levels and flexibility for business customers, strengthening our reputation as a trusted business waste solutions provider. In addition, our long-term contracts with local authorities enable us to offer a high quality service for local residents and a secure supply of waste into our facilities.

We balance municipal waste inputs with feedstock collected from our commercial and industrial customers and third party consignments, reducing risk and providing confidence to our investors.

Recycling We are the UK’s leading operator of household waste recycling centres, capturing significant quantities of source separated materials from the domestic waste stream. Along with our collections, this enables FCC to supply clean materials for the manufacture of quality recycled products.

FCC is contributing towards a healthier, more resilient and prosperous Britain.

Green energy Our home-grown energy from waste (EfW) network provides our customers with a safe and sustainable solution for non-recyclable waste.

FCC’s EfW facilities at Eastcroft, Allington, Lincolnshire, Mercia and Buckinghamshire are contributing to the UK’s green energy supply, and will soon be joined by our new facility in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Generating energy from waste within the UK helps avoid costly waste exports and increasingly expensive fuel imports. In essence, it keeps the value of British resources in Britain.

Waste processing FCC Environment prides itself on providing 360˚ solutions for all our customers’ waste, including those items that cannot be recycled, composted or used as a fuel to generate electricity.

Our specialist workforce handles complex and hazardous waste streams, and advises our diverse customer base on compliance, waste reduction and secondary market opportunities, providing an end-to-end solution that is both sustainable and cost-effective.

Introduction

Being forward thinking means being prepared for change within the waste and recycling industry, and in the world around us. The waste business is affected by global shifts and political accords, and we are confident that our talented workforce and robust business model can rise to today’s challenges.

The ban on the export of plastic waste to China has shaken the industry and continues to pose some valuable questions regarding the economics of recycling. At FCC Environment, we recognise this moment as an opportunity to strengthen indigenous recycling capacity and develop home-grown markets for recycled materials.

Meanwhile, the BBC’s documentary Blue Planet II left nobody in doubt about the global scale of plastic pollution, prompting responses from UK Government and major retailers that aim to reduce our dependence upon single-use disposable items; to recycle more and waste less.

Our goals are well-aligned with those advocating for progress, and we are pleased to be expanding our reach and creating a more sustainable waste and recycling sector. The waste sector is among the top five sectors in the UK with the smallest gender pay gap, and at FCC Environment women are on average paid slightly higher than men. We continue to attract talent to the business, and by involving our workforce in a strong culture of safety, innovation and recognition, FCC Environment is cementing its reputation as a great place to work.

We are driving consistent improvements in environmental protection alongside strategic investments in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Many of our sites are becoming wildlife havens through our habitat restoration, tree and hedgerow planting and networks of lakes and waterways, helping enhance Britain’s biodiversity and create beneficial spaces for people to enjoy the natural world.

FCC Environment continues to achieve higher quality, health and safety, environmental and energy standard requirements, while our support for community-based initiatives is a source of pride for everyone involved.

In the meantime, we look forward to helping deliver the Government’s national infrastructure ambitions, Clean Growth Strategy and 25 Year Environment Plan, and to creating a more resourceful future by maximising the recovery of value from waste.

The world we live inPaul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

FCC Environment in numbers

PFI and PPP contracts – Wrexham, RE3, Lincs, Mercia, Bucks, Allington, Edinburgh

Recycle 1.6 million tonnes of waste per annum

1.6 million

7

Generate 102 MW of green energy

102MW

Equivalent to the energy needs of 27,000

households with the potential to supply up to

20MW of heat to local district heating networks

to meet the needs of 10,000 homes

Our EfW facility at Edinburgh and Midlothian will export 12.04MW to the National Grid

Business waste customers

4,000

Contracts across some 60 local authority areas

100


Introduction

12 — 13

Highlights and investments

Our business is growing and we are recovering more valuable materials and clean energy from waste than ever before

FCC Corporate Social Responsibility Report

£93m

Value of contract renewals in 2017

£110m

Value of new contracts in 2017

We have been appointed to design, build, manage and operate a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) for Peterborough City Council, and started an 8 year contract to manage household waste recycling centres on behalf of Wiltshire Council.

Our specialist waste service remains of value: FCC entered into a 5 year agreement with Yorwaste to safely dispose of asbestos; an annual agreement to manage demolition waste from Sellafield; and a 3 year contract to treat and dispose of hardcore and soil waste for Buckinghamshire County Council.

Looking at our broader facilities management services, we are building on our successes. In 2017 FCC signed a three year contract with District of Harborough Council to maintain the prestigious local landmark, the Symington Building, in addition to our existing contract cleaning the nearby Market Hall. The Symington Building houses the local museum, library, council offices and registry office.

Contract Wins and RenewalsOur municipal services remain popular with local authorities. Over the last year we have been awarded a number of important contracts to manage refuse, recycling, street cleansing and related services for Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council, Kent County Council, East Northamptonshire Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Essex County Council.

Our broad range of contract renewals reflects the value for money of our services and the positive feedback from our customers. Recent renewals include an integrated waste management contract with Luton Borough Council, municipal collections for West Devon, Wychavon and Herefordshire Councils, and waste treatment and disposal for Central Bedfordshire Council.

The Duke of Gloucester officially opened FCC Environment’s flagship waste treatment facility – EnviRecover – on 15 June. The facility, which is near Kidderminster, is operated by FCC through Severn Waste Services as part of its contract with Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council.

The site will treat up to 200,000 tonnes of waste, and produce 18MW of electricity – enough to power all the homes in Kidderminster. It is the largest single piece of capital infrastructure in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and its opening means the virtual elimination of landfill in the two counties.

“Its construction marks an important step forward for our Mercia Waste Management partnership, and for our business. As we continue to develop, we’re focusing on our customers’ requirements for extracting value – in the form of energy – from the waste left over after recycling has taken place.” Paul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

With an onsite visitor and education centre, EnviRecover is now an integral part of engagement within the area and complements the education programme at EnviroSort, Norton.



“ Its construction marks an important step forward for our Mercia Waste Management partnership”

The Grand Opening

New facility officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester

200,000Tonnes of waste treated per year

EnviRecover The facility in numbers

32,000Homes powered

18MW

Of electricity produced

On being awarded control of Wiltshire’s nine household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), FCC Environment set about improvement works to improve their efficiency and user experience, and to introduce a reuse scheme to benefit local charities.

The refurbishment programme was meticulously planned and resulted in every HWRC reopening on the planned and publicised date.

A lot of hard work went into ensuring that the service delivery was as per the client’s expectations. FCC’s role included taking over the delivery of services on sites, as well as behind the scenes work with the electronic data system, reporting and handling of the clients queries and questions.

This was a major project for the FCC team and its success was due to the outstanding levels of communication between departments and operations.

Paul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

Far left: Before Left: After

Revamping Wiltshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres

The Duke of Gloucester officially opening FCC Environment’s flagship waste treatment facility – EnviRecover



Halfway point reached in construction of new Millerhill recycling and energy recovery facilityThe construction of the new state-of-the-art energy-from-waste plant, which will serve the City of Edinburgh and Midlothian, has reached an advanced stage. Millerhill Recycling and Energy Recovery Centre (RERC) is being developed by FCC Environment, which signed a 25-year contract to deliver and operate the £142m plant in October 2016.

The build, which is scheduled to take 30 months, is on a brownfield site which is now barely recognisable as the former Millerhill Marshalling Yard. The main building has now reached its full height with the first part of the roof structure installed at the end of December 2017. A vast amount of specialist equipment has also been delivered and installed in the facility.

The plant is set to enter full operation in 2019 and will treat around 135,000 tonnes of household residual waste and a further 20,000 tonnes of commercial waste every year. It will generate enough power to meet the needs of up to 32,000 homes. Construction will continue through the rest of 2018 and the two Councils are expected to start delivering waste to the facility at the end of the year to allow the important commissioning and testing phase to get underway.

“We’re absolutely delighted to see the progress so far on this major facility. The plant is certainly becoming a new local landmark. The project is a fantastic example of partnership working that will not only help both councils meet Zero Waste targets but also produce energy for the National Grid.”Councillor Russell Imrie Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Zero Waste

A separate facility, which takes all of the food waste collected by the partner councils, is already in operation on the neighbouring site to the RERC. It is hoped these new facilities treating both food and non-recyclable waste, creating renewable energy in the process, will help both authorities contribute to the national recycling target of 70% by 2025 and the national landfill diversion target of 95% by 2025.

Barnsley Council and Cycle PenistoneCycling is becoming increasingly popular in Yorkshire, particularly since the Tour de France inspired a “Tour de Yorkshire”. Barnsley Council was already encouraging staff to cycle to work, and wanted to share the benefits of cycling with more local residents.

Working with FCC Environment, they identified a potential source of free bicycles at the borough’s HWRCs. FCC trained operatives to separate bikes fit for repair, and partnered up with local Community Interest Company (CIC) Cycle Penistone to repair, rent and sell the bicycles at affordable prices.

Within a few months the scheme was a success, with recycled bikes available from as little as £25 and all with a full refurbishment, 9 point safety check and 3 month warranty.

As a result of the additional bikes available for refurbishment and increased publicity through the scheme, Cycle Penistone soon hired an apprentice and employed 5 part time staff to assist with the website, sales and back office, and the bike hire and servicing. In June 2017 Cycle Penistone sold their 300th bike “rescued” under the scheme and identified a need for more sales outlets for the bikes throughout the borough.

The partnership now also includes Elsecar Park Cafe which rents bikes and helmets to children in the park. They are now hoping to build a children’s cycle track with road markings and stop and go signs to help promote road safety awareness.

2019The plant will enter full operation in 2019

135,000Tonnes of household waste treated per year

32,000It will generate enough power to meet the needs of up to 32,000 homes

A new reuse shop was opened at Kirkless, bringing a lifeline to Wigan’s homeless. All items salvaged from FCC’s Wigan household waste recycling centres are ‘upcycled’ by volunteers from charity The Brick, then sold to help ease poverty for townspeople. A new, two-storey building is being constructed to house the shop and FCC offices.

Can we sort it?

“ The launch of the recycling scheme through partnership with the household waste recycling centres has been one of the best things to happen for Cycle Penistone CIC and I’m sure most of the customers who buy the bikes would say the same.”Jill Bramall Director, Cycle Penistone



Awards

“ I wanted to thank the Recycle Team that serve Hatherleigh. They work incredibly hard doing such a physical job collecting our waste down narrow congested roads. They are helpful, polite and always go above and beyond.”Resident Hatherleigh

After coming second in the whole of England for recycling performance, East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has thanked FCC Environment colleagues for their hard work and support.

The ERYC hopes that they – alongside FCC colleagues – can continue to improve and become the top-performing authority this year.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

“ It is recognised that a large contributing factor for the result has been due to a committed full team effort, working together to divert more residual waste and send it for reuse and recycling.”

Debbie Mansell Waste Contract and Recycling Manager, ERYC

2017 successes: Huge congratulations to Suffolk County Council’s Foxhall Household Waste Recycling Centre, provided by FCC, for taking home the title of Civic Amenity Site of the Year. Also to Greatmoor EfW facility, a partnership between Buckinghamshire County Council and FCC Environment, for their award in Innovation in Design of a Waste Management Facility at the Excellence for Recycling and Waste Management Awards 2017.

Awards for excellence Recycle Devon Thank You AwardsFCC Environment’s recycling crew in the north of West Devon were nominated by a local resident to the Thank You Awards, organised by Recycle Devon. The team was praised for improving the service and their friendly manner.

The Thank You Awards are organised by the Recycle Devon team, and were first launched to recognise those people who do that bit extra to help ensure Devon remains clean and green.

The West Devon crew received a Runner Up Award in their category of ‘Collection Crew/Operative (Recycling, Garden, Food or Refuse Collector(s))’ but also won the overall Award of the ‘People’s Choice Hero’ Award, with approximately 25% of the total 1,200 votes!

Following this achievement, FCC Environment also entered the team to the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management, and they are now looking forward to the national finals.

18 — 19

“ The Awards for Excellence 2017 have been a real success story for FCC Environment, working in partnership with key customers. I would like to thank all the hard-working people on the ground who deliver these award-winning facilities day in and day out.”Paul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

People focus

The health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is absolutely paramount and always will be


Health and SafetyOver the past 12 months FCC Environment has received some of the highest awards for health and safety in the country. While we are proud of these achievements, we know there is always work to be done when it comes to keeping our workforce safe.

Sword of Honour Award: FCC Environment was one of 57 organisations worldwide to achieve a Sword of Honour, which is awarded to companies that have demonstrated excellence in managing health and safety risks at work. The Sword of Honour Award followed FCC Environment achieving the top accolade in the British Safety Council Five Star Audit Process in 2016.

“Achieving the Sword of Honour is great news, although it doesn’t come easy. A lot of time and effort from everyone in the organisation has been put in over a number of years.” Paul Stokes Head of Safety, Health and Environment and Quality, FCC Environment

Safety Climate Survey: Developed by the Health and Safety Laboratory, the Safety Climate Survey is used by proactive companies to measure safety culture. The FCC 2017 survey showed that, across every factor, our safety culture remains higher than the all industry average.

Behavioural Safety Programmes: We have continued to roll out our “Because” campaign across the company. “Because” encourages managers and employees to improve their safety performance by identifying poor behaviour. In addition, we are building on our “iWill” campaign, which empowers people to take

responsibility for the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Workplace Wellbeing Charter: FCC Environment’s commitment to the health, wellbeing and safety of our colleagues has been recognised by the Workplace Wellbeing Charter. As part of our Employee Wellbeing Charter, we continue to organise initiatives such as dementia awareness, aural health, hayfever and men’s health, women’s health and monthly health bulletins on a variety of conditions.

“We’ve made some great progress in terms of health and safety since 2010, but there’s absolutely still work to be done, and that’s the responsibility of each and every one of us.” Paul Stokes Head of Safety, Health and Environment and Quality, FCC Environment

Paul Stokes representing FCC Environment with the Sword of Honour Award winners.


People focus

Health and Safety Continued »

1.55%

1,267

Our proactive absence management programme has continued to reduce our employee sickness and absence rate to well below the national average

We continue to invest in developing our workforce, and in 2017 delivered 1,267 courses to aid professional development across the business

Disability■ 0.91% registered

disabled

Gender■ 86% male ■ 14% female

Ethnicity■ 87.11% White European ■ 10.52% Not specified ■ 0.77% Asian ■ 0.28% Black ■ 1.26% Other

Staff Turnover■ 21.61% leavers

(includes Tupe transfers)

2,396FCC Environment employs 2,396 people in England, Scotland and Wales across 166 operational sites

Equality and diversity

2017 workforce demographics

Lost Time Accidents

Our record of Lost Time Accidents is an account of working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. This provides a more accurate picture of our safety achievements than RIDDOR, which only reflects significant absences or injuries.

The Six Pillars

We’re maintaining a high performance Health and Safety culture through our Six Pillars

Lost Time Accidents (LTA) 2010–2017

Top management commitment

Positive perception

of Health and Safety by the

workforce

Constant review of working

practices

Middle management involvement

Active participation of the workforce

Health and Safety

performance focused

supervisors

13.7

3

11.5

3

11.4

1

11.9

2

8.29

8.45

LTA Frequency Rate 2010–2017

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

62

53 51 57 53

46

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

23.2

2

10.9

956

105

1

3

4

5

6 2


People focus

In April 2017 the Government introduced gender pay gap reporting for all companies with more than 250 employees.

Gender pay gap

The gender pay gap shows the difference between the average hourly pay for men and women across all ages, roles and levels. It differs from equal pay which is the right for men and women to be paid at the same rate of pay for work of equivalent value.

FCC Environment companies in the UK have a robust job evaluation process for all non-manual roles. This has enabled us to create a framework of

pay ranges that avoids any gender bias. Manual roles are determined by local market job rates and TUPE transfers. However, all manual roles are paid a rate for the job regardless of gender.

Our overall workforce is predominantly male, which is typical within the waste, energy and water industry that consists of 78% men. We remain committed to improving gender balance, however with a long service workforce and

transfer of employees into the business we recognise this will take time to change.

The gender pay gap is the difference between the average hourly pay received by men and women within FCC Environment Services (UK) Ltd as at 5 April 2017. We’re reporting two measures of our gender pay gap, the median and mean (average) gender pay gap. The median gender pay gap

removes any influence of very high and very low pay.

The national median is 18.4% in favour of men. This rises to 19.6% within the utilities sector of which we form part.

Our figures show that both our median and mean hourly rates favour women in our workforce. The figures are influenced by the significant numbers of male staff in frontline roles, and the higher proportion of women in typically higher-paid support and technical roles in the business.

The gender bonus gap is the difference between the average bonus received by men and women across FCC Environment at the snapshot date of 5 April 2017.

We operate two types of schemes – a group bonus scheme, which is primarily for non-manual staff and KPI schemes for site based staff. KPI schemes vary for each sector of the business.

Both types of schemes have various payment dates throughout the year. The snapshot date of 5 April 2017 only reflects those who received bonus during that period so does not capture all employees who were actually paid a bonus outside of the snapshot date.

We are confident that we have equitable and fair schemes in place regardless of gender and the majority of employees receive a bonus payment at some point during a calendar year.

FCCE FCCES

Male Female Male Female

Total % employed 81.0% 19.0% 94.5% 5.5%

Median gender pay gap -8.2% In favour -1.0% In favour

Mean gender pay gap -4.6% In favour -5.0% In favour

Lower quartile 92% 7.2% 96.9% 3.1%

Lower middle quartile 77.4% 22.6% 92.9% 7.1%

Upper middle quartile 80.9% 19.1% 92.1% 7.9%

Upper quartile 81.6% 18.4% 96.1% 3.9%

Received a bonus in this period 48.1% 31.0% 8.0% 0.0%

Median bonus gender pay gap 11.7% - 100.0% -

Mean bonus gender pay gap 16.7% - 100.0% -

Percentage of employees who received bonus 48.1% 31.0% 8.0% 0.0%

Figure 2: FCC reports as FCCE and FCCES. Both reports bear out the trend of the pay gap being in favour of women. If a company has a +1% figure this means that the average man would earn 1% more than average woman. A -1% figure would mean that the average woman would earn 1% more than the average man.

Traditionally, the waste and resources sector has had a reputation for being “a man’s world”... but not any longer.

Women in WasteShannon Moreby

“ Ever since being accepted onto the graduate programme I have had, and continue to have, training opportunities to accelerate my development. Even after finishing the graduate programme and moving into a permanent management position the momentum hasn’t slowed down. There is a huge amount of support from the company who really invest in their people and want you to reach your full potential.

“ There are more women than I expected there to be in the operations side of the business, but there’s no escaping the fact that our industry is still male-dominated. There are more women moving into the industry at all sorts of levels and in all sorts of roles but we could be doing much more to attract female talent. In my view, this needs to start by showcasing how interesting and challenging the sector can be (and how it’s not all about dealing with stinking waste and getting filthy!). Our industry will only thrive if it attracts a diverse range of people and skills, from environmental advisors to business development professional, to engineers and operations managers like me.

“ If I could give one piece of advice to women considering a career in waste, it would be not to let any reservations – or stereotypes – hold you back. If the role interests you, go for it!”

Attracting talent


People focus

Energy and Utility Skills Partnership

FCCE is a member of the Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership to “ensure a safe, skilled and sustainable workforce provides the essential services that our customers seek and meets the UK’s needs from the energy and utilities infrastructure.”

The sector delivers essential services to 65 million people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and is the largest single contributor to the UK-wide National Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Waste management has an increasing demand for candidates with qualifications in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), as many of the low grade manual skills in the industry will be superseded by higher level skills relating to processing, recycling and energy recovery.

In order to proactively address any future skills shortages, and to increase diversity within the workforce, FCC and partners are working on three priority areas:

Increase sector attractiveness and recruitment to ensure the sector appeals to all communities, generations and genders. FCC and 19 other sector employers are working with schools and colleges through the Talent Source Network initiative to attract and retain talent.

Maximise investment in skills, including supporting the development of entry routes to employment, building high quality apprenticeships and investing in sustainable skills in the supply chain.

C. Taking targeted action to address anticipated skill gaps and shortages, including providing consistent training, mobility and skills transfer through the Energy and Utility Skills Register sector passport schemes.

FCC Environment is a proud member of Talent Match, a scheme that is targeting young people who are furthest from the jobs market, including those who are completely outside of the benefits, work and training system and facing severe barriers to gaining the skills they need to get into work.

Talent Match boosts opportunities for young people in these areas by bringing together partnerships of employers, education providers and others, led by local charities.

The investment was co-designed with young people, both centrally and in each of the 21 partnership areas, and will continue to have young people at the heart of decision making throughout the programme.

Outstanding success FCC’s partnership with talent match has been recognised with a Talent Match ‘No One Left Behind’ award. The glittering conference was held at Rotherham United Football Club in November and hosted by local, BBC Look North journalist Tom Ingle.

FCC Environment walked away with ‘Outstanding Employer Contribution 2017’ for the Sheffield City Region – a fantastic achievement.

Talent Match

“ I feel brilliant knowing that I’m not going back to the job centre.”James

“ The project has given James a job, and we have gained a dedicated and hardworking employee.”

BDR contract manager

A

C

B

BDR contract manager

“FCC was the only corporate company to win an outstanding achievement award, which is pretty ground-breaking”


People focus

Training and development

FCC Environment’s graduate scheme is attracting graduates into entry roles across the business.

George Newman joined FCC Environment in 2015 on the graduate management trainee scheme and was awarded two placements, one in Recycling Operations and one in Energy from Waste.

George has learned skills in risk assessments, procedures, health and safety, minimising our impact on the environment, staff management, and communicating with contractors, customers, and fellow FCC sites, and has successfully completed his Certificate of Technical Competence.

Shannon Morbey joined FCC Environment’s graduate programme in 2015 after completing an environmental management postgraduate diploma. Shannon was first placed in the business development team, where she assisted in preparing detailed proposals for local authority contracts.

Shannon then experienced the day to day operations of service delivery. While completing her Certificate of Technical Competence and other operational training, Shannon investigated ways to improve re-use at the 11 Suffolk household waste recycling centres, diverting reusable items to be sold through a charity partnership shop.

In 2017, a further 17 members of the workforce celebrated 25 years in post, including frontline staff (Glen Brennan, Anthony Doyle, Dennis Elliott, Richard Maiden, Gerald McAllister, Stephen Pugh, Leslie Shilton, David Thompson and Colin Vernon), site and operations managers (Antony Hepworth, Andrew Langan, Lee Raynor, Kevan Simpson, Terence Walsh and Andrew Papworth), a senior HR business partner (Sara Atkinson) and Malcolm Kendrick, general manager of our Wrexham PFI contract.

Everyone’s achievements and commitment to the business were celebrated at the glittering Long Service Awards ceremony. Congratulations to all our long serving employees!

Celebrating long service in 2017

FCC Environment Long Service Awards

“ I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the scheme and feel it has given me the perfect opportunity to develop what I hope will be a long and successful career within an exciting and important industry.”

George Newman Graduate Management Trainee FCC Environment

“ FCC Environment has supported and encouraged me throughout the programme and given me every opportunity to develop my skills further.”

Shannon Morbey Assistant Contract Manager FCC Environment

Celebrating 35 years’ service

Doug Rowe is another long-serving member of the FCC workforce, with 35 years under his belt. Doug joined in 1982 and is now a Closed Site Supervisor at the Scabba Wood in Doncaster.

35 Celebrating 45 years’ service

Peter Hann has completed an incredible 45 years’ service for FCC. Starting in his role in 1972, Peter is now a Contract Supervisorin Recycling Operations in Hereford.

45

People focus

ABCD Awards

2017 winners

Forward thinkingBy embracing change, we can be better prepared for the future, whatever it may bring

John Smith: A Refuse Collection Driver in Harborough, John was asked to assist when a person collapsed in the street. A trained first aider, John carried out CPR until paramedics arrived. His positive actions have been praised by everyone concerned.

Simon Smith: Since Simon became Team Leader at the Sudbury HWRC in October 2015, team morale and customer service levels have improved dramatically. Simon is continually developing his own professional skills as well as those of his team.

Milton Landfill Team: The temporary reopening of Grunty Fen Landfill required a lot of hard work from Richard Horwood and his team. They have admirably kept this part of the business running and minimised disruption for FCC customers.

Darrington Team: Lee Jordan, John Dickinson and their teams at Darrington Quarry have completed a succession of improvements which have had a significant positive impact on the profitability of the site as well as staff safety and wellbeing.

Foxhall HWRC Team: The Foxhall team has excelled throughout significant operational changes, and provided valuable input to the redesign of the site. They have won a national award and earned the praise of Suffolk County Council, and importantly, members of the public.

Valuing our people Our ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Awards continue to attract nominations from across the business. The awards are presented every three months, with categories that reflect our brand values.

People focusWe value our people and genuinely enjoy what we do – which is why our people enjoy working with us too

Shahid Khan: Shahid was recognised for his outstanding service to the company, above and beyond normal expectations. Shahid manages a very busy customer-facing workload and always supports his colleagues to the most professional level.

Adam Newman: Always producing work of a high standard, Adam will put himself out in order to get the task done. His dedication, customer focus and exceptional attitude have been recognised by multiple FCC teams and our clients.

Bernie Burke: Nothing is too much trouble for Bernie, and her obvious commitment and enthusiasm towards her role, the company and the employees within her region is second to none.´

Doing the right thingTo ensure the ongoing success of our business, we focus on our customers and ensure our services meet their needs

John Cartwright and Norman Smith: When a small fire broke out Smallmead Waste Transfer Station, their swift response meant the site was evacuated within 4 minutes. The emergency services and FCC have congratulated the team for their professionalism.

John Oakes: John is an excellent supervisor who recently dealt with an incident involving a vulnerable member of the public. John’s quick and clear thinking avoided a potentially dangerous situation, and his actions are a credit to his professional standards.

John Wilson: Working for FCC for 24 years, John is now site foreman at Staple Quarry, carrying out his duties in a conscientious, safe and efficient manner. He ensures customers are happy using the site and is a credit to himself and the entire company.

Environmental CommitmentWe care about what we do and how we do it, running our operations in an environmentally and socially responsible way

Landfill Engineering Team: David Brown, Robert Ogden, Anthony Porter, Tim Darby and Davy Sow are well organised and motivated, delivering permanent capping works across 20 sites and achieving cost-savings for the business.

Wilmington Transfer Station, Hull: When a fire broke out at night, Tanya Thrower and Jason Riley operated heavy plant to remove waste under instruction from the Fire Brigade, without any hesitation for the good of FCC.

Norwich (Mile Cross) Recycling Centre: Under the leadership of the new Site Supervisor, Shayne Dunt, the overall standard of service has made a marked improvement, receiving compliments from Norfolk County Council and excellent customer satisfaction.

Environmental Monitoring Technician: Adam Doubtfire introduced changes to the sampling regimes at two sites in Winterton, making a significant improvement in service while saving costs. Adam cares about what we do and how we do it, and is a credit to himself and FCC.




Protecting and enhancing the environment are core values of FCC Environment. Our investments and long-term commitments to the environment are progressively improving the impacts of our operations.

• Further reduced OPRA band D, E and F sites (now 16) and for the sixth year running we have seen improved performance for leachate compliance and reduction in legacy.

• Continued to develop and deliver internal environmental training for a whole host of topics covering environment and energy management, permit compliance, environmental monitoring, risk assessments, aspects and impacts.

• Developed a bespoke energy management platform that has been rolled out across the business and is now being used by all of our site colleagues. This will enable all users to easily record, monitor and track their energy performance against their target (kwh / tonne processed).

• No fines or prosecutions for the 6th year running.

We achieved our Environmental Targets for 2017:

5% reduction in permit breaches from the previous year’s target

1% reduction in energy usage/tonne of waste processed—

Regulatory compliance

Environmental achievements in 2017:

Landfill gas compliance CCS scores

Average no. of notifications per environmental permit

Environmental complaints by stakeholders

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

90% 92

% 96%

95%

95%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

2615

2164

1891

871

Leachate compliance

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

69%

69%

70% 75

% 79%

Sites in OPRA band D,E,F

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 201734 32

26

23

16

5 5 5

3 3 497

383 47

1

493

1861

683



Tonnes C02 equivalent 2015 2016 2017

Gross carbon footprint 3,737,376 3,651,874 3,480,103

Biogenic outside of scope

1,764,687 1,727,999 1,655,777

Net carbon footprint 1,972,689 1,923,875 1,824,326

Our carbon footprint represents the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by FCC Environment activities, expressed in equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon footprint

Scope 1 Emissions are direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including from landfill activities under full operational control.

Landfill emissions continue on the predicted downward trend due to continued diversion of waste from landfill disposal and improved capture of landfill gas (a reduction of 143,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent). Meanwhile, emissions from our energy-from-waste facilities have increased by 21,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent, largely due to the opening of Greatmoor EfW with another notable increase forecasted with the Millerhill plant due to begin operations in 2018. While EfW emissions will increase as new capacity becomes available, the growth is small compared to the significant reduction in landfill emissions. These emissions however are predominantly biogenic (renewable) and biogenic emissions are determined to be outside the scope of carbon emissions reporting.

Fuel emissions continue to decline reflecting the great work and efforts being made operationally to improve fuel and process efficiencies. Overall scope 1 emissions have reduced by 5%.

Scope 2 Emissions are indirect GHG emissions from purchased grid electricity (more than 90% of this is based on accurate data). Emissions from our use of electricity continue to fall year-by-year, now standing at 8,769 tonnes CO2 equivalent, a 27% reduction on last year’s emissions.

Scope 3 Emissions are predominantly from business travel using public transport. Scope 3 emissions have remained much the same.

Our outside of scope figures predominately account for our biogenic landfill and energy from waste emissions (accounting for approx. 70% of total EfW inputs) in addition to an extremely small element within our diesel and petrol use.

All emissions factors and GWPs have been taken from the UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2017.

Electricity – Scope 2

2015

13,10

9

12,0

60

8,76

9

2016 2017

2015 2016 2017

1,972,689 1,923,875 1,824,326

5%

27%

Overall scope 1 emissions have reduced by 5%.

Emissions from our use of electricity have reduced by 27%

Net carbon footprintLandfill Energy from Waste

3,24

9,37

2

2015 2015

3,13

3,41

2

2016 2016

2,99

0,59

0

2017 2017

414,

311

444,

971

424,

506

2015

50,18

2

2016

48,7

81

2017

43,4

40

Fuel (liquid & gas)

36 — 37


10%

659

1,900

FCC Environment’s Fleet Department burns on average over 5.5 million litres of diesel per year. We’re looking to reduce this by up to 10%

Electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrid or hybrid

Environmentally friendly vehicles on the road

16,000Vehicles in the FCC Environment fleet

Driving fuel efficiencies

Reducing our fuel consumption

Electric vehicle ambition

The FCC Fleet team was tasked to identify savings related to the reduction of fuel use in our road transport fleet, incorporating innovative initiatives that could be introduced across the haulage fleet.

The team trialled a device called Eco-FIT, and were able to demonstrate its effects on a range of vehicles across different sites. The device prevents the engine being “laboured” or “overrun”; it limits idle RPM; and makes the driver change gear before they would normally, reducing fuel wastage.

Overall, the initiative has definitely identified opportunities to save fuel. There was some variance within the dataset however, indicating that the devices did not work consistently across the fleet.

Further investigation will pinpoint the underlying issues affecting the performance of the devices, and this is where we will focus our attentions.

The Fleet team collects detailed fuel use data for all road transport related vehicles and is working to implement more stringent fuel monitoring procedures at a site level. Regular checks on all vehicles fitted with the Eco-FIT fuel saving devices are carried out in order to monitor improvements over time and taken together, these initiatives are expected to enhance fuel efficiency across the FCC fleet and significantly reduce our environmental impact.

Advantages

Electric motor: No combustion and ZERO emissions

Minimum noise level possible

Maximum energy performance

50/60% energy saving compared to conventional refuse collection vehicles

The energy used is cheaper than other type of vehicles

Current challenges

Battery increases vehicle weight by 3-10%, although with improving technology this will reduce

Purchase prices are prohibitively high but expected to reduce as the market develops

Requirement for charging/ fuelling infrastructure limits use to urban areas

Currently less economic than internal combustions vehicle engines, although this is improving as the technology develops

We currently operate a fleet of 16,000 vehicles throughout continental Europe. FCC has invested considerably over a long period of time in the research and development of alternative fuelled municipal vehicles, and plans are underway to incorporate these innovative vehicles into our UK contracts.

To reduce the impact of energy consumption and emissions from our fleet and facilities, we have invested and continue to invest in electric vehicles, energy efficiency programmes and the production and use of renewable fuels.

We currently have over 1,900 environmentally-friendly vehicles on the road designed for municipal services with one of the most advanced fleets in the sector. These vehicles can be powered with compressed natural gas, electricity, or as hybrid, and can achieve up to 70-80% fuel savings.

One of our heavy-duty, 4-axle 100% electric, self rechargeable refuse collection vehicles.



In 2017, FCC installed two photovoltaic solar farms

FCC Environment is responsible for managing a large number of closed landfill sites, some of which are ideal for capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into green electricity.

In 2017, FCC installed two photovoltaic solar farms, at Wraysbury and Wally Corner closed landfill sites. Both had been the repositories for waste in the 1970s and 1980s, and had been restored in the 1990s.

The solar arrays needed to be designed specifically to be fitted on shallow soils, to protect the engineered landfill cap. Ethical Power and Sirius Renewable Energy installed the thousands of bespoke anchored piles and solar panels and connected the solar farms to the grid in time for the 20 March 2017 Renewables Obligation deadline.

Investing in solar power

Our new solar farms in numbers:


28,000Solar panels

8.1MW

The amount of renewable energy generated

92,404Tonnes CO2

equivalent – carbon offset over lifetime of facility

Anchored piles

13,346 2,531Homes – equivalent power demand

Area of land Electricity generated in first year of production

17.3ha 8,037,278kWh



Land Restoration

FCC Environment employs teams of ecologists to survey sites and create natural habitats to support biodiversity.

A phase 1 habitat survey is often used to identify habitats and their potential for supporting wildlife. Focusing on the characteristics of the vegetation, including grasses, wildflowers and trees, the habitats are classified and mapped using specialist software.

Further surveys are undertaken if there is evidence of badgers, potential roosting sites for bats (all 17 bat species are protected under EU legislation), endangered bird species such as skylark and lapwing (both of which are found at Brogborough landfill), pond habitats, great crested newts and butterflies.

Phase 1 habitat surveys provide valuable information about a site’s ecological value and how this might impact on any development at the site. If any protected species are present or if there is a special habitat that supports rare flowers or grasses, then the FCC ecologists develop a plan to protect and enhance those areas.

Examples include:

• Creating hedgerows to support endangered butterflies – Greatmoor EfW entrance

• Installing newt ponds – Brogborough and Dix Pit

• Creating a habitat that supports ground nesting birds such as skylarks – Brogborough

Protecting and enhancing biodiversity

During 2017, FCC Environment created a Great Crested Newt habitat at Brogborough, including five large ponds. The site will be completed in 2018 with aquatic planting and seeding works.

Created to comply with mitigation requirements, the site is already attracting a variety of birds as well as supporting the current population of red data list species such as Skylark and Lapwing.

Following a major fencing project the site is now stock proof, and sheep grazing and bee keeping will be introduced in 2018 to further enhance biodiversity in the area.

Habitat creation at Brogborough

Construction of pond works under ecologist supervision

FCC Environment has partnered with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to manage the site at Jubilee Lake, Calvert, Buckinghamshire. The site is now part of the BBOWT’s network of nature reserves, contributing to conservation and biodiversity across three counties.

The large ‘lake’ was originally created by clay extraction for the brick industry, with part of the site later being used as a landfill.

Following restoration works including the careful sculpting of steep banks, shallows, bird hides and floating raft islands, Jubilee Lake now attracts wintering wildfowl such as mallard, tufted duck, pochard, common terns, waterfowl and kingfishers.

During the winter, birdwatchers have spotted bittern, smew, scaup, goldeneye, goosander and glaucous gull. Chiffchaffs, blackcaps and willow warblers can be heard among the dense reedbeds, and a small pond has been created to attract frogs and other amphibians.

The scrubby area around the lake contains a surprising range of wild flowers, including delicate orchids. The flowers support a range of butterflies including the grizzled skipper and green hairstreak.

Creating a nature haven at Jubilee Lake, Buckinghamshire

In 2017 FCC seeded 34 hectares of land, laid 600m of hedgerow and planted 28,222 trees

28,222

Our integrated management system enables us to meet all standard requirements with a single set of policies and procedures.

Where required, operational sites are compliant to all four standards (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 50001), and all sites are required to comply fully with our integrated management system.

Our internal audit system is vetted by BSI, and our auditors are all BSI trained lead auditors in all four standards.

9001: 2015We are proud to have been recommended for the new 9001:2015 standard with ISO 9001


Integrated Management System


Transparency is important in running a sustainable business. International standards guide our operations, and local communities help shape our investments FCC Environment is certified to ISO 9001, the internationally recognised Quality

Management System (QMS) standard. We are proud to have been recommended for the new 9001:2015 standard, in recognition of our achievements with driving quality through the business. A powerful business improvement tool, ISO 9001 Quality Management certification helps us to:

Continually improve, streamline operations and reduce costs

Win more business

Be more resilient and build a sustainable business

Satisfy more customers

Show we have strong corporate governance

Work effectively with stakeholders and our supply chain

Delivering a high quality service with ISO 9001



The first UK waste recycling business to achieve ISO 45001 and all the latest standards

FCC Environment is certified to ISO 14001 and has been recommended to the new 14001:2015 standard, helping us deliver greater sustainability through our day to day operations. Much more than regulatory compliance and the ability to meet supplier requirements, the ISO 14001 standard helps us address multiple aspects of our business procurement, logistics and service development, so that we reduce our impact on the environment. Our ISO 14001 certification drives us to evaluate how we manage emergency response, customer expectations, stakeholders and our relationships with the communities in which we operate. It helps us to:

Reduce our environmental impact

Engage employees

Improve our reputation

Build resilience against uncertainty

Be able to adapt to change

We follow the energy management practices that are considered to be the best, globally. Effective energy management is good for business and an integral part of our responsibility to the world in which we operate. Through being certified to ISO 50001, FCC Environment is saving energy, cutting costs, and meeting environmental requirements, every day. The ISO 50001 standard helps us to:

Identify and manage risks surrounding future energy supply

Measure and monitor energy use to identify where to improve efficiency

Improve overall performance to cut energy consumption and bills

Reduce carbon emissions and meet Government reduction targets

Demonstrate environmental credentials and lead by example

FCC Environment has migrated from OHSAS 18001 to the new ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Standard. This makes us the first UK waste recycling business as determined by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to achieve this standard and the first to have accreditation to all the latest standards. The standard helps us to:

Provide safe and healthy working conditions

Consult with and involve our workforce

Lead by example

Proactively improve our occupational health and safety performance

Prevent work-related injury and ill health

Improving environmental performance through ISO 14001

Enhancing performance and efficiency to ISO 50001

Driving a safety culture using ISO 45001

14001: 2015

We’ve been recommended to the new 14001:2015 standard

1st



Overview of WREN funding 2017

£8.6m

Towards the creation and refurbishment of 47 play areas

WREN helped fund 232 projects by providing more than £8.6m in grants

£3.5m

Grants included £3.5m to improve and maintain over 100 community buildings

£1.3m

Sport and recreation facilities benefitted from 35 grants totalling more than £1.3m

£1.9m

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. Since 1998, WREN has granted £242m to over 7,640 projects which support and benefit people living within the vicinity of an FCC Environment landfill site.

All the projects funded benefit the general public in some way and range from play areas and skate parks, through to village halls, churches and nature reserves.

Continued »


Contributing to communities


32WREN provided £1.1m to fund 32 outdoor community areas and parks.

Over 1 million men and women served or supported Bomber Command to protect the freedom we enjoy today and suffered the biggest number of losses of any unit during WWII. The International Bomber Command Centre and Memorial Park are a fitting tribute to those service men and women.

During 2017 WREN provided £306,000 towards the fit out of the operational areas of The Chadwick Centre, named in honour of the designer of the Lancaster bomber, which houses exhibition, heritage and education facilities and uses state-of-the-art technology and interactive displays to tell the story of Bomber Command.

The Memorial Spire and Walls of Names are at the heart of the site. The Spire is 31.09m high, the wingspan of the Avro Lancaster Bomber and 5m wide at the base, the width of the Lancaster wing. The Walls of Names surround the spire and are formed from 270 individual panels, engraved with the names of almost 58,000 men and women who lost their lives serving or supporting Bomber Command.

Surrounding the Spire and Chadwick Centre lies the Memorial Park, which features two peace gardens set across 10 acres of landscaped grounds. The Lincolnshire Peace Garden includes 27 native trees marking each of the operational bomber command centres stationed in Lincolnshire during the war. The International Peace Garden pays homage to the 62 nations who served or supported the Command. WREN provided £127,500 towards the creation of the gardens including trees, planting and seating areas.

The International Bomber Command Centre and Memorial Park was formally opened on 12 April 2018 as part of the centenary celebrations of the Royal Air Force.

International Bomber Command Centre and Memorial Park, Lincoln

During 2017 WREN helped fund 232 projects by providing more than £8.6m in grants. Projects varied from £3,000 to repair windows in a listed church building to £306,000 to help fit out a visitors centre.

Grants included £3.5m to improve and maintain over 100 community buildings and a further £1.9m towards the creation and refurbishment of 47 play areas. Sport and recreation facilities benefitted from 35 grants totalling more

than £1.3m and 32 outdoor community areas and parks will also be able to provide better facilities thanks to more than £1.1m from WREN.

Applications funded supported 26 different Local Authority applications, 47 Parish Councils and numerous charities, sports clubs and churches. All projects funded must evidence support for the work they want to do and show how their project benefits the local community.

Following a multimillion-pound redevelopment, the Queen re-opened the National Army Museum in Chelsea.

FCC, as WREN, donated over £1 million to the project, and CEO Paul Taylor attended the grand re-opening, and met the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Founded in 1960, the NAM redevelopment hopes to represent the British Army as exciting and relevant and to improve public engagement.

The funds we’ve donated contribute to building an appealing central visitor space, improving outside landscaping and creating new exhibitions.

The Royal Treatment


Continued »

International Bomber Command Centre

The International Bomber Command Centre was created to provide world class facilities to acknowledge the efforts, sacrifices and commitments of the men and women from the 62 different nations who came together in Bomber Command during WWII.



Landfill Communities Fund Projects 2017

Community Outdoor Spaces and Parks,£1,008,490 Sports and Recreation,£1,087,587 Children and Young People’s Facilities,£1,629,570

Major Grants,£313,500 Community Buildings,£3,299,821

1 4

2

5

3

Scottish Landfill Communities Fund Projects 2017

Children and Young People’s Facilities, £352,927 Churches and Listed Buildings, £110,300 Conservation and Biodiversity, £175,538

Community Buildings, £291,587 Community Outdoor Spaces, £113,422

Sports and Recreation, £294,000

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

1

Simon Settle and Julie Fourcade cutting the ribbon on Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve

WREN provided a total of £1.95m to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to purchase land which has enabled the RSPB, Natural England and the Environment Agency to complete a scheme to recreate vital saltmarsh habitat across 160ha of the Ribble Estuary which was drained for agricultural use during the 1980s.

The restoration of saltmarsh is not only important for wildlife, including overwintering birds and breeding waders, but the managed realignment of sea defences and breaching of the old outer sea wall allows the newly transformed saltmarsh to absorb the energy of waves and helps reduce the risk of flooding to over 100 neighbouring properties and farmland1.

1. Reducing the risk of flooding at Hesketh Out Marsh East – Environment Agency Oct 2014

One of the notable projects which completed during 2017 was a 3 year programme to expand the Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve at Hesketh Out Marsh East in Lancashire.

Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve, Lancashire

£1.95m

WREN provided a total of £1.95m to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Forward thinking

FCC Group has been innovating on behalf of its customers for over a century.


FCC Group InnovationThe waste and resources sector has rarely experienced a period of greater change. The drive for a circular economy is picking up pace and the shift in public attitude is having a dynamic impact on the industry.

The change in tempo is welcome, and is being largely driven by the public’s increasing awareness of plastic pollution and the moral imperative to do something about it. Recent figures had showed the UK’s recycling of plastic packaging had stalled, due to challenging economics and general confusion caused by the range of plastics and their varying recyclability. Could this recent trend have a positive lasting impact on recycling behaviour?

The BBC’s Blue Planet II has brought the matter of plastic pollution firmly under the spotlight, and the nation is calling for progressive action.

It is important to recognise that the vast majority of plastics in marine ecosystems are from parts of the world with inadequate waste management. That said, any litter that escapes the UK’s comprehensive systems is too much, and represents both a loss of value and a cost to society.

Public discourse has created a shift in attitudes, and people are more critical than ever of gratuitous packaging and single-use disposable items. We see this in a positive light, as it encourages Government to explore fiscal drivers such as a Latte Levy for disposable coffee cups, Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles, and extending the carrier bag charge to include smaller retailers.

Such activities will only strengthen British waste and resource management, and ensure that we have quality material streams available for our manufacturing sectors. Pull mechanisms for recycled content are still very much in need of development, with more work needed to promote sustainability through green procurement.

Strengthening our indigenous circular economy is more important than ever, with China introducing bans on the import of mixed plastics and a range of other secondary materials. To maintain value chains, there must be a demand.

Government has the opportunity to take all these major changes into account when developing its Resources and Waste Strategy. With the aim of making the UK a world leader in terms of competitiveness, resource productivity and resource efficiency, investment in waste reprocessing has never been more vital.

The BBC’s Blue Planet II has brought the matter of plastic pollution firmly under the spotlight

Continued »


Forward thinking

The recently launched Plastics Pact by WRAP and the Government set a target for 100 percent of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025

2025

FCC Group Innovation

Continued »

Putting clean growth at the heart of the Government’s Industrial Strategy is a crucial step that will enable the UK to pursue its potential in terms of recovering value from the materials we handle as a nation. The recently launched Plastics Pact by WRAP and the Government set a target for 100 percent of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. In striving to reach that target, FCC Environment and the wider recycling sector will play a transformational role in how plastic is collected, reprocessed, and used in the UK.

The final part of the jigsaw is, as ever, recovering energy from waste. The Government has indicated a new focus on anaerobic digestion and gasification with combined heat and power, in recognition of the efficiency these combinations offer. If investment and policy can support this ambition, ensure facilities gain planning permission and are operated as exemplars, then we will indeed be on our way to becoming a leader in resource efficiency.

The potential for a UK circular economy is growing, and we are here to help it become a reality.

As a nation we are using fewer and fewer resources, producing 63% more economic output per kilogram of materials consumed than in 2000.

63%

Waste policy and BrexitSuccessive European Directives have transformed the way we manage waste in the UK, yet over time European waste policies have become muddled with contrasting objectives, poorly designed targets, and costly implications for UK businesses and households.

Brexit offers an opportunity for the UK to reflect on past experience and identify the best way forward for Britain. Rather than adopting the EU’s proposed “Circular Economy Package”, the UK should develop its own set of policies concerning waste and resources. These should be aimed at improving the UK’s resource productivity while minimising the environmental impacts associated with waste.

Post-Brexit, the UK will regain full control of environmental policy which for decades has been determined by the EU, including the definition of waste and specifically how waste should be managed.

As a nation we are using fewer and fewer resources, producing 63% more economic output per kilogram of materials consumed than in 2000 (much more resource efficient than the European average). Our total waste arisings shrunk by 16% over the period 2004-14, with notable reductions in the manufacturing sector (76%) and services sector (60%) over this period.

The UK now also exports large quantities of waste and scrap materials overseas. In 2016, the UK had net exports of scrap materials worth £3.1 billion. However, the market for companies exporting residual waste overseas for energy recovery continues to grow, costing the UK over £900 million in gate fees since 2011 (£280 million in 2016).

The UK waste management sector has achieved a significant reduction in environmental impacts including greenhouse gas emissions (75% reduction since 1990), dioxin emissions from energy from waste facilities (99% reduction since 1990), and a wide range of regulated pollutants including heavy metals and particulates.


Forward thinking

FCC Group, innovating for the next generationInnovation is in our DNA

In spite of these advances, European waste policies now show signs of weakness that will only hinder progress. Proposals for a ‘circular economy’ are watered down by a focus on collection and reprocessing, but lacking the ‘pull’ factors that comprise half of the circle. Targets set under the Waste Framework Directive and Circular Economy Package prescribe the methods of waste treatment, rather than environmental outcomes. When we pursue the means rather than the ends, it’s easy to make oversights.

For sustainability to work it must be affordable and accessible. The EU’s Circular Economy Package would cost UK businesses £1.9 billion (from 2015-35), and would focus on increased recycling regardless of the economic case. It is right to question how much society spends on recycling over other frontline services.

Brexit will give us the opportunity to create waste management policies that achieve the desired environmental, social and economic outcomes, within a UK context. Resource efficiency, waste minimisation and re-use should be at the heart of waste policy. Decisions should be based on the comparative greenhouse gas emissions of different treatment options for individual waste streams using a carbon metric.

Where FCC Environment has been leading with encouraging reuse of goods and materials from HWRCs, Government should remove barriers and promote more diversion of material from disposal. Meanwhile, Government can help buoy markets for secondary materials by supporting industrial symbiosis, green procurement, and accelerating ‘End of Waste’ status for products manufactured from waste.

UK infrastructure should be prioritised through the reform of the Packaging Recovery Note system, and UK innovation harnessed in the development of smart materials and recycling processes.

Finally, we support the Government in pursuing high energy efficiency technologies, including combined heat and power from energy from waste facilities; and in pursuing ever greater resource efficiency through a strong network of UK reprocessing infrastructure.

In the meantime, at FCC Environment we are not standing still waiting for edicts. We are innovating. We are exploring new technologies and new ways of working that complement our entrepreneurial outlook. Most importantly, we are ready for changes in UK waste policy that work for Britain.

We hope to power waste collection fleets and the natural gas distribution network using 100% green energy.

The UK waste management sector has achieved a significant reduction in environmental impacts including greenhouse gas emissions (75% reduction since 1990)

75% 100%

Waste policy and Brexit

Continued »

For over a century we have been producing original ideas to deliver services that are both sustainable and efficient. Our first electric waste collection vehicle began operating in Barcelona in 1974, and today our R&D+Innovation management system ensures we stay at the front of the field.

As a core company value, we are running significant trials to recover ever more value from waste.

We are working with international partners to recover an increasing range and proportion of materials from different waste streams. We are using newly-designed optical sorters to retrieve glass from refinery processes, and are leading the EU-funded LIFE4FILM1 project to increase the recovery of plastic film (LDPE) across Europe.

In another strand of the EU LIFE programme, our R&D project METHAmorphosis2 represents a step forward in extracting energy from waste, and is making an important contribution to a circular economy.

By turning waste treatment centres into biofuel production facilities, we hope to power waste collection fleets and the natural gas distribution network using 100% green energy.

This project has increased the energy efficiency of anaerobic digestion facilities by 70% and the fuel produced can reduce the carbon footprint of road vehicles by 80%. We were delighted when the European Commission presented our work in the report “Two years after Paris. Progress towards meeting the EU’s climate commitments”.

Ecoparque 2 (Barcelona) – Waste collection vehicle and car both fuelled by gas, METHAmorphosis project.

1. LIFE4FILM partners: University of Granada (ES), AIMPLAS (Asociacion de Investigacion de materiales plasticos y Conexas) (ES), Rolbatch GmbH (DE) and Stadler Selecciona, SLU (DE)

2. METHAmorphosis partners: AMB-Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, FCC Aqualia – project leader – FCC Environment, Gas Natural, ICAEN and SEAT


Forward thinking

Appendix

Waste management methods 2017

Total landfilled52% Total recycled 34% Total energy recovery14%

Regulatory compliance


Carbon footprint

FCC Environment manages waste and recycling for households, businesses and industry throughout the UK. Overall, the UK recycling rate is increasing, although there is concern that for municipal waste the EU 2020 recycling target of 50% will be challenging to meet.

Our business model is based upon extracting value from waste, which we do through increasing the recovery of materials and renewable energy. The lack of secondary materials markets combined with the UK’s growing residual waste capacity gap and demand for indigenous power sources, means that the picture of waste management methods across the UK will likely continue to shift away from landfill and towards energy recovery.

Increasing the efficiency with which FCC Environment recovers energy from waste will therefore remain a priority for the business.

Tonnes C02 equivalent

Scope 1 2015 2016 2017

Landfill 3,249,372 3,133,412 2,990,590

Energy from Waste 414,311 444,971 424,506

Fuel (liquid & gas) 50,182 48,781 43,440

Scope 2 2015 2016 2017

Electricity 13,109 12,060 8,769

Scope 3 2015 2016 2017

Fuel 10,402 12,650 12,798

Gross Carbon Footprint 3,737,376 3,651,874 3,480,103

Biogenic Outside of Scope 1,764,687 1,727,999 1,655,777

Net Carbon Footprint 1,972,689 1,923,875 1,824,326

Key Performance Indicators 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

CCS scores* 1849 2615 2164 1891 1861 871

Average no. of notifications per environmental permit 4 5 5 5 3 3

Leachate compliance 65% 69% 69% 70% 75% 79%

Landfill gas compliance 90% 90% 92% 96% 95% 95%

Environmental complaints by stakeholders 991 497 683 383 471 493

Enforcement notices (EA/SEPA/NRW) 2 0 2 1 2 3

Prosecutions 1 0 0 0 0 0

Fines for offences (EA/SEPA/NRW) £10,000 0 0 0 0 0

Sites in OPRA band D,E,F - 34 32 26 23 16

* A lower CCS score reflects a higher compliance rating

Meanwhile, our VEMTESU project is focused on the development of a hybrid electrical vehicle with permanent electric drive, suitable for delivering municipal services. These vehicles will minimise emissions of exhaust fumes and noise, improving our carbon footprint and the environmental conditions of the communities we serve.

Finally, FCC’s cutting edge information and communication technologies, including the use of aerial robots and smart networks, are enabling us to offer real added value for our customers. Our real time, interconnected data systems are providing us with detailed geographical, environmental and commercial information, meaning we can make better decisions for our company, our customers, and wider society.

FCC, innovating for the next generationContinued »

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