Binn Buzz | Winter 2023

BinnBuzz Showcasing sustainability | 8

Single Use Vape Disposal | 4

Closing the Loop with Vegware | 6

Here’s What We’ve ‘Binn’ Up To | 10

AUTUMN/WINTER | 2023

In this edition...

Welcome fr

Addressing the Risk of Single Use Vape Disposal

4

Closing the Loop with Vegware

6

Showcasing Sustainable Waste Management

8

Driving the Electric Revolution

9

Here’s What We’ve ‘Binn’ Up To

10

Festive Opening Hours 2023/2024

12

Welcome to the Autumn/Winter 2023 edition of the Binn Buzz.

Research has found that 1.3m single-use vapes are being thrown away every week, and are on track to become the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. Not only is this a waste of precious resources (vapes contain lithium which is a vital component in electric car batteries), many are discarded carelessly, ending up as litter.

That’s why I’m delighted to announce Binn Group has provided Robertson Group, one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support service businesses in the UK, with disposable vape recycling bins to be deployed across their sites in Tayside, ensuring the proper collection and recycling of these hazardous items. Read more on pages 4 and 5.

rom the Chief Executive Binn Group is also working hard to tackle another hard-to-recycle waste stream by partnering with Vegware to offer a one-stop-shop treatment service for compostable food and drink packaging. Find out more on pages 6 and 7.

I was proud that in November Scottish Parliamentarians (MSPs) visited Binn Group’s Ecopark to witness its ‘progressive approach’ in adopting sustainable green solutions. Five MSPs, all members of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee, visited us as part of their scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Bill. Read more on page 8.

Allan MacGregor CEO Binn Group

As usual you can see what the team has been up to over the last few months on pages 10 and 11, and on the back cover you can see all of our Christmas and New Year opening times.

On that note I’ll sign off by wishing all of our staff, customers, partners and friends a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2024.

With 1.3 million single-use vapes being thrown away every week, these lithium battery containing disposable items pose a significant threat to the environment

Addressing the Risk of Single Use Vape Disposal As a leading force in waste management and recycling, Binn Group is committed to promoting better health and environmental sustainability.

Recognising the rising use of single-use disposable vapes and the environmental risks they pose, Binn Group has taken proactive measures to address this issue.

Binn Group has provided Robertson Group, one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support service businesses in the UK, with disposable vape recycling bins to be deployed across their sites in Tayside, ensuring the proper collection BINN BUZZ | AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

and recycling of these hazardous items.

container delivery, collection and safe disposal service for vapes.

With 1.3 million single-use vapes being thrown away every week, these disposable items, which contain lithium batteries pose a significant threat to the environment.

Jim Brown, Commercial Director, Binn Group, commented: “We are delighted to be able to partner with Robertson Group on this initiative to ensure that disposable vapes are segregated at source and not littered or disposed of as general waste.

Not only are single-use vapes bad for public health, they are also bad for the environment.

From litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities, there are issues which need to be addressed urgently and by working together with Robertson Group we are ensuring that these vapes are captured for recycling.

The use of vape recycling bins mean that these single use items are now manually dismantled, segregated and cleaned before their components are recycled, reducing the threat of fire which can be caused by the incorrect disposal of lithium batteries.

Binn Group supports the UK’s WEEE Regulations offering

“The good news is that the single-use vapes we collect at Binn Group go through a process of being manually dismantled, with the plastic, metal and glass components all being separated for recycling. The lithium battery is also removed and is sent for recycling also. This ensures closed loop recycling of these components. It is estimated that around 2.7 million singleuse vapes were discarded in Scotland in 2022. Almost two thirds of Scotland’s Councils back the move to ban single-use vapes. Until they are banned, we hope the roll out of this recycling service can raise the profile of the challenge the country is facing and encourage more people to seek out a sustainable recycling solution.”

our sites to reduce environmental damage and risk of fire. The accumulation of over 1.3 million single-use vapes being disposed of every week accumulates to 10 tonnes of lithium a year, the equivalent of the lithium contained in the batteries of 1,200 electric vehicles.”

With its innovative vape recycling program, Binn Group remains at the forefront of environmental sustainability, leading the way in responsible waste management practices. By addressing the challenges of single-use vape disposal head-on, Binn Group continues to demonstrate its

commitment to protecting the environment and promoting a greener, more sustainable future.

With their ongoing efforts to expand the recycling service to more locations and sites, Binn Group invites businesses, organisations and communities to join forces in making a positive impact on the environment and embracing responsible recycling solutions.

To find out about how Binn Group’s disposable vape recycling solutions could help your organisation please contact services@binngroup. co.uk or call 01577 830833.

Robertson is the first tier one contractor to use the service on a construction site in Scotland which is being provided by Binn Group.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “We continue to work with all employees as part of our commitment to wellbeing with support to discourage smoking in a bid to improve health. Whilst this campaign is on-going, we have been working with all our sites and offices to raise awareness of the danger of the incorrect disposal of single use vapes at work and at home. At Robertson we are conscious of all the actions that we take to try and combat our impact on the environment for today and for the future.

“Robertson, along with many local authorities, support the Scottish Government review to seek a complete ban on disposable vapes due to the impact they are having on public health and the environment. Until a ban is in place, we can ensure that they are disposed of correctly across

Binn Group has provided Robertson Group with disposable vape recycling bins to be deployed across their sites in Tayside 5

Closing the loop with Vegware

Binn Group is delighted to have partnered with Edinburghbased compostable packaging brand Vegware to provide collections of used Vegware and food waste across the central belt of Scotland.

Known as ‘Close the Loop’, this partnership allows Vegware to offer a one-stop-shop service which not only provides compostable packaging, but then facilitates the collection and treatment of it via Binn Group’s trade waste collection service.

Used Vegware packaging and food scraps are then composted at Binn Group’s Ecopark just outside Glenfarg.

BINN BUZZ | AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

Vegware was founded in 2006 and specialise in plantbased packaging made from renewable, recycled, or reclaimed materials. Vegware packaging is designed to be industrially composted with food waste. As food contamination can often complicate dry mixed recycling, this new partnership will provide circular solutions for foodservice packaging across the central belt.

‘Close the Loop’ enables foodservices, catered offices, tourist attractions and other locations to have food waste and used Vegware collected in one bin, before being composted in under 12 weeks. This service has already proved popular with a number of

sites, including Fife College and Glasgow Science Centre.

Tam Cunningham, Estates Manager at Fife College is a keen advocate of Vegware’s ‘Close the Loop’ service. He said: “By introducing compostable packaging we’re not only reducing the amount that goes to landfill, but the waste that is left over can be used for composting in under twelve weeks.”

In 2022 ‘Close the Loop’ diverted 134 tonnes of food waste and used Vegware from 61 sites to compost. In establishing this partnership, Binn Group and Vegware plan to expand the service by providing closed loop

solutions for more businesses across the central belt.

Compost plays a key role in returning essential nutrients to the soil. The organic matter found in compost can revitalise the earth, improve crop yields, capture carbon and even reduce flood risk. The collections are a great way of contributing to the circular economy.

Phoebe Russell, Waste Management Consultant at Vegware heralded the new partnership. She said: “It is great to be working with Binn Group on ‘Close the Loop’. They have led by example with recycling and waste management in Scotland.

“Their commitment to the circular economy makes them an ideal partner for Vegware composting collections”.

Jim Brown, Commercial Director at Binn Group echoed this and said: “As Scotland’s leading recycling and resource management company, Binn Group is committed to help deliver the circular economy.

“Our partnership with Vegware is one more way we can help ensure precious resources are captured and turned into valuable products, in this case a quality compost which feeds and enriches Scottish soil and provides crucial, slow release nutrients to crops which can lead to long-term yield increases.”

To find out more about how Binn Group’s new partnership with Vegware could help your business become more sustainable please contact services@binngroup.co.uk or call 01577 830833.

Vegware bins have joined the recycling service provision at Fife College’s Kirkcaldy campus 7

Showcasing Sustainable Waste Management

(L-R) Douglas Lumsden MSP, Mark Ruskell MSP, Guy MacGregor Head of Business Development Binn Group, Jim Brown Commercial Director Binn Group, Edward Mountain MSP, and Ben Macpherson MSP Scottish Parliamentarians (MSPs) visited Binn Group’s Ecopark in November to witness its ‘progressive approach’ in adopting sustainable green solutions.

Five MSPs, all members of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee, visited the site as part of their scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Bill.

The Binn Group has been at the forefront of adopting and promoting more sustainable practices across its waste management operations. Last summer the company and its strategic partner Paprec BINN BUZZ | AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

Energies were awarded a 10year, £50m contract by Perth & Kinross Council to treat residual waste and turn it into energy.

More recently, Binn teamed up with Robertson to help address the health and safety and environmental impact of disposable vapes across Tayside.

The MSPs were given a tour of Binn’s facilities where the company’s senior managers outlined its move towards more sustainable and regenerative practices.

Jim Brown, Group Commercial Director at Binn Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome MSPs from the Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee to our

Glenfarg site and demonstrate our progressive approach in promoting sustainability across our operations.

“As a company that is committed to reducing the environmental impact of waste management practices, our Glenfarg site provides a useful model which demonstrates greener and sustainable solutions aligned to circular economy principles.”

Energy & Transport Committee Members attending yesterday’s visit included Edward Mountain MSP; Deputy Convener, Ben Macpherson MSP; Douglas Lumsden MSP; and Mark Ruskell MSP.

Fully electric 26 tonne RCV

In order to prepare for the movement away from fossil fuels towards renewables, Binn Group has been keen to trial alternative fuelled vehicles.

In the last month several exciting trials have taken place with a fully electric 26 tonne Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV) from Refuse Vehicle Solutions, as well as an 18 tonne Skip Truck from Volvo. Both vehicles excelled in their performance, easily rivalling their diesel equivalents.

Driving the Electric Revolution

As battery electric vehicle technology continues to develop, along with the expansion of available renewable electricity which will soon be generated at the new Energy from Waste Facility being built at the Ecopark, Binn Group will continue to explore options for adding fully electric vehicles to their fleet.

In the meantime, the company is continuing to invest in their fleet - new vehicles due to arrive in 2024 include 2 MAN and 1 DAF skip vehicles, an 18 tonne DAF and 26 tonne Scania, 3 Scania Roro’s and a MAN Tipper.

Fully electric 18 tonne skip truck 9

As part of our ongoing fleet renewal initiative we took delivery of a shiny new MAN truck. Driver Derek McQueen will be taking care of her!

We attended the launch of the Hairy Highland Coo Trail which will see 30 colourful statues appearing across Scotland next summer to raise money for CHAS.

Here’s We’ve Up We were delighted to sponsor Ciaran Muir who performed fantastically at this year’s IBTF Nations Cup in Liverpool this year - well done Ciaran!

We were proud to sponsor Methven AFC’s strips! This local football team unites the community through their love for the game.

BINN BUZZ | AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

Students from SRUC Elmwood Campus studying HNC Wildlife and Conservation visited the Ecopark to learn about our sustainable practices.

s What ‘Binn’ p To

We partnered with Jeanfield Swifts Community FC to offer local children the chance to develop essential life skills through sports.

Angus Nelson and Guy Macgregor joined industry leaders to explore the latest innovations and sustainable practices at the Resource and Waste Management Expo in Birmingham.

Eilis Stevenson and Fraser McLeod attended the Fife Expo 2023 along with over 40 local companies to learn, showcase businesses, and network.

Members of our team gained essential skills by undertaking first aid training. Together, we prioritise workplace safety!

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Festive Collections 2023/24 21 Thursday

Normal service

22 Friday

Normal service

23 Saturday

Normal service

DEC DEC DEC

24 Sunday Christmas Eve

DEC

CLOSED

25 Monday CLOSED Christmas Day

DEC

26 Tuesday Boxing Day

DEC

Trade waste only

27 Wednesday Normal service

DEC

28 Thursday

Normal service

29 Friday

Normal service

30 Saturday

Normal service

DEC

Binn Group would like to thank all our staff and customers for their support this year.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

DEC DEC

31 Sunday Hogmanay

DEC

CLOSED

01 Monday CLOSED New Year’s Day

JAN

02 Tuesday

JAN

Trade waste only

03 Wednesday Normal service

JAN

04 Thursday

JAN

Normal service

If your regular collection is scheduled 25th or 1st we will reschedule your collection for another day that week.