ReNEWS
WIN!
A BBQ FOR SUMMER P12
FOR ALL YOUR SHANKS UK NEWS AND VIEWS
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO… JUST LIKE US Big problem? Call International Rescue – P2
June 2015
WHY OUR TEAMS IN CANADA ARE ICECOOL OR RED-HOT Extreme recycling – P6&7
EDUCATING EMMA LIVES THE VALUES
TIME TRAVEL IS EASY Meet your Shanks colleague proud to be stuck in the past. Find out why on page 3
GETTING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS An artist’s impression of our new dry anaerobic digestion plant on Canada’s west coast
The new -look Shanks Municipal Division will be bigger, stronger and more collaborative as teams in Canada and the UK share years of knowledge and experience. That’s the view of Dale Harley, Municipal General Manager in Canada, following his factfinding tour of some of our UK facilities. The Canadian Organics Business and Technical team have combined with the UK
Municipal Division to create a new Municipal Division in what Dale describes as a ‘winning recipe for success’. In Canada, the government is putting pressure on municipalities to divert more waste from landfills and we are making the most of this opportunity through municipal partnerships – an area our teams in the UK are expert in. In the UK, we have a very similar model so there are numerous benefits of working together.
Dale said: “There are real similarities and common ways of working between the countries and by working closely together ,we will speed up growth and improve profits, which is good for everyone.” The Orgaworld Technical team will extend their work to cover all Shanks’ organics assets and support innovation across the Group in the months and years to come. Continued on page 6
2 ❙ June 2015
PETER’S BLOG BETTER TOGETHER
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our Canadian colleagues to the municipal business and to ReNEWS, our quarterly publication. I had a great time in Canada visiting our sites and getting to know our new team. As we adjust to the new structure, we can look forward to the many benefits from working more closely together in what will be an exciting time. Take a look at page 6 to see the opportunities and challenges that our colleagues face across the pond.
GROWING TOGETHER
We are approaching a busy and exciting time of year in the Municipal UK Division, with Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) accepting their first waste and work under way to build our new facility in Surrey, Canada. It’s great to see these major build programmes come to fruition as we continue on our journey to become the most respected waste-to-product business.
SAFE TOGETHER
We can’t be the best at what we do unless we continue to look out for each other at work. We’ve now launched our new Home-Safe scheme in the UK (see page 8), which will focus on getting you home safely at the end of each day. There is a lot to do to improve our safety performance and we will never be satisfied until we have zero accidents. However, it’s encouraging to see our close call rate increasing, as it means we are all taking more accountability for safety, so please keep up the good work.
TALKING TOGETHER
I’ll be visiting sites this month to update you on the focus for this year and I am also going back out to Canada. I enjoy the opportunity to see first-hand the great work you are doing, but I also want your feedback, so please feel free to come and have a chat so that I can answer your questions.
PETER EGLINTON
HAVE YOUR SAY
Text or email your story to us on:
07860 021367
helen.kemp@shanks.co.uk
SHANKS ARE GO!
No problem too weighty for our A&B team with help from… International Rescue was done in a day and a half, which meant our customers weren’t affected, and, importantly, it was all done without the need for bringing in an expensive outside contractor. “The guys built us a table that can be reused. The whole process showed just how important communication and collaboration across Shanks is and how it can actually save the business time and money.”
With the clock ticking and not a second to spare, a breakdown in the main drum area might have meant the end of the world as we know it. Maybe it wasn’t that serious, but a broken wheel on the giant 3,200kilo trommel could have spelled chaos for our team in Oban. Any hold-ups in replacing one of the four wheels that turns the giant drum would mean a lengthy backlog of visiting bin lorries. THUNDERBIRDS Usually, it would be a job that David Holms and the team at the Moleigh waste disposal site would handle in-house. But because the steel drum was not easily accessible behind a cable tray, he called in our engineering experts from Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR), who scrambled a three-man team to head north in the equivalent of Thunderbird 1. David, Area Operations & Recycling Manager, joked: “We called them and asked for help and they were on it straightaway. It was just like something out of Thunderbirds. “Normally, our Argyll and Bute fitter Gordon McCuaig uses a telehandler with certified lifting equipment for heavy jobs like this,
but we needed cross-business support and were delighted when it arrived so quickly.” MANOEUVRED The BDR team of Phil Cooper, Mick Eastwood and Richard Blains used heavy-capacity hydraulic jacks to support the weight of the drum, while the faulty wheel was manoeuvred on to a specially made slide table, removed and replaced. David said: “The entire operation
David Holms; and inset, the giant heavyweight drum that needed lifting
COMING SOON…
It might not look much at the moment, but work is under way to create our unique new facility in Derby. Once completed, the new centre will convert up to 200,000 tonnes of waste a year into energy through a pioneering gasification process. The Mechanical Biological Treatment process will reduce the waste’s weight by removing moisture and recyclable items, before it’s moved into the gasification
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Preparation gets under way (below right) and what the site will look like (above) plant, where high temperatures convert the waste to energy. Our partners, Interserve, are currently levelling and preparing the site, which is due to be fully operational in spring 2017.
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June 2015 ❙ 3
REUSING AND RECYCLING IS GROOVY Heavy cutlery and coloured crockery are a throwback to the 60s and 70s
DO YOU OR YOUR COLLEAGUES LIVE THE SHANKS’ VALUES IN AND OUT OF WORK?
SHARE IT
Tell us by sending an email to helen.kemp@shanks.co.uk
The glass cabinet is packed with second-hand shop bargains, but no soda siphon
PRACTISE WHAT YOU PREACH The Shanks colleague bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘granny flat’ When Emma Ray tells children about the importance of recycling and reusing, they can be sure she’s talking straight from the heart. Because the Derby Waste Education and Minimisation Officer’s home is a retro shrine to the good, the bad and the downright weird from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Her flat is a groovy medley of Formica tables, side tables on legs and furry lampshades that would get collectors at London’s trendy Camden Market excited. CHARACTER And although it was the charityshop price that initially attracted her to the funky furniture, she insists she loves practising what she preaches. She said: “I really believe things shouldn’t go to waste and don’t see how I could tell children and people at roadshows about diverting rubbish from landfill if I didn’t believe in it.” Walking into 30-year-old Emma’s flat on the edge of Derby is
have a fantastic 60s lampshade he was chucking out. Waste not want not, I say.” Emma’s life revolves around reusing, but she insists it’s not just the cost savings that make her a regular in charity shops. She said: “I actually really love the furniture. It has a history and character.” like stepping back in time, with the kettle, microwave and toaster the only reminders of the 21st century. “I haven’t even got internet or a phone, but if I did I’d definitely have one of the old trimphones or diallers,” she admitted. The kitchen features the traditional Formica-covered table from the 60s, while the bedroom furniture consists almost exclusively of wooden Nathan Units from the 70s glam rock era. “I’ve got a cabinet for glassware, but sadly no soda siphon to go in it, and all the living room furniture is on black Dansette legs,” she said. “I even convinced one of the council chaps I work with to let me
STYLISH “It can cause issues though. When my friends came round, they looked at me and all said at once ‘this is weird – it’s like our grans’ flats’.” But Emma has no plans to bow to convention and get rid of the old furniture, some of which actually was handed down to her from her great-grandmother. “It’s not top of the range in terms of quality, but it’s well-built and stylish, in a retro way,” she said. “Some of the shops I’ve bought from try to push the price up by saying ‘this would cost a fortune in Shoreditch or Camden’, so I remind them ‘we’re not in Camden, we’re in Derby’!”
Good neighbours become good friends It might be the lyric from a fictional Aussie soap, but colleagues at one of our newest facilities are set to make it reality. Our teams at Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) are throwing their weight behind a new fund to provide support to community projects in their area. It’s part of a new Shanks Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Fund to help projects and groups close to the Bolton Road waste treatment site. Educational, environmental and voluntary, community or ‘friends of’ groups can apply for Shanks volunteers’ time, or up to £3,000 a year. COMMUNITY Colin Fletcher, Contracts Director for the new BDR facility, believes the initiative will strengthen links between Shanks and the people we serve. He said: “The CSR Fund and associated volunteer hours offer a helping hand to our local communities and can really make a difference to the projects that mean most to them.
It’s important that we continue to show our commitment to being a good neighbour by supporting local projects.” Groups have been invited to submit requests for the Fund, which will see us making a difference to local projects including: ■ open spaces or public areas and nature reserves ■ community orchards, centres or village halls, play areas and adventure playgrounds ■ multi-use sports or games areas ■ environmental, educational, community or well-being schemes. Groups in a 3.5km radius of the site can apply for up to £3,000 per year, while those within the BDR council areas can apply for up to £1,000. Abi Cox, Community Education Liaison Officer, said: “This is a great opportunity for both Shanks employees to give something back and for local communities to benefit. Everyone wins.” Applications for funding will be assessed every quarter, with the deadline for the first grant applications at the end of July.
4 ❙ June 2015
HELP US FIND YOUR SITE AND OFFICE STARS Employee of the Quarter will spotlight colleagues who always go the extra mile Who doesn’t love a pat on the back for a job well done, or even a few words of praise? It makes all the hard work worthwhile. Whether it’s always being happy to give an extra helping hand and a smile to one of our HWRC customers, or being part of a successful team effort, now’s the time to celebrate the people that make Shanks special. So if you know someone who ticks the right boxes when it comes to living the company values, then get in touch and a colleague in your team could be the Employee of the Quarter.
Is there a winner in the midst of our BDR team?
The winner will collect a £250 prize and a letter from Managing Director Municipal Peter Eglinton, along with a framed certificate. The Shanks Communications Forum will study and judge all the nominations and review them against one of the six IMPACT values. HR Advisor Leanne Pullen said: “Entrants should have demonstrated one or more of the Shanks values of Integrity, Making more from waste, Passion, Accountability, Customer Focus and Teamwork, and will have brought added value to the business.”
A day in the life of…
The first winner will be announced on 6 July and the deadline for entries is 30 June, so get nominating now.
GET VOTING
Nomination forms are available on the Shanks Communications Forum Community, Connect Us or from HR Services
All smiles – the robot that’s making recycling fun
Dale Harley, General Manager, Canada With a regular weekly commute between offices of more than 2,000 miles, it’s a good job our Municipal Canada General Manager is a great believer in good communication. He keeps a close eye on our two existing Canadian plants in Ontario and the third currently under construction in the city of Surrey on the far west coast in Vancouver, so admitted there is no chance of micro-managing. “That isn’t my style anyway. I have plant managers and supervisors who get the best out of our hard-working teams,” he said. COMMUNICATION “My job is part overseer, part cheerleader, part facilitator and part problem solver, so because of the geography involved, I have to make sure I delegate. That’s why we’re lucky to have some great people working for us here, just as we do in the UK.”
Our Canadian colleagues (l-r) Joerg, Michele and Darryl
Dale Harley, heading Shanks operations in Canada Dale believes the success of the Municipal Division will depend on talking to each other and sharing best practice in each others’ areas of expertise. He said: “Good communications are vital to ensure we are a strong team and don’t all end up working in silos, so I visit all the sites regularly. Colleagues give me their feedback and let me know about any issues. It really is a 24/7 job.” A recent tour of some of our UK facilities reminded Dale of just how similar the two arms of the new division are in terms of people and what they do. PASSION “The people are so friendly in the UK and in Canada, and all share a driving passion for what they do,” he said. “There are a lot of things we do in Canada that could be adopted in the UK in the medium term and there are things that happen there that we could try here.” He added: “It’s a really exciting time to be part of the new division, with plenty of opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.”
IT’S A RAP Youngsters at schools near our sites have been learning about the importance of recycling, with a little help from a rapping robot. Recycler the Robot toured Wakefield’s classrooms during National Science and Engineering Week to tell primary school children how they can help using his funky interactive show. Recycler sang about the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – and explained how to put them into practice at home and school. PASSION Simon Watts, Keep Britain Tidy Education Officer, said: “This year we want people to think about recycling e-waste. In 2013/14 we recycled 1,500 tonnes of e-waste in Wakefield.
“The main component of e-waste is household white goods, together with IT equipment and televisions, which can contain environmentally damaging toxins if landfilled or incinerated.” The programme, a partnership between Shanks, Keep Britain Tidy and Wakefield Council, was a big success.
Recyclers of the future said… “Thanks for the fantastic Recycler show. We absolutely loved it and learned lots of important ecomessages in a fun way. It was a wonderful end to our Waste Week in school but hopefully just the start of a new way of thinking for the children.” Sharlston School, Wakefield “We were really impressed. The roadshow highlighted the food waste issues at a level that the children could understand.” Ryhill School, Wakefield
June 2015 ❙ 5 BEFORE Open plan areas built using new and existing materials make business meetings better
The old dark walkways have been replaced with bright, airy and open meeting areas
LET THERE BE LIGHT! Bright and open new-look office will encourage teamwork and communication Clear, uncluttered, professional, inspirational, along with colourful touches of individuality. Those were the key words for the Design team as they sat down to decide how to give our UK head office a long overdue facelift. It was how they wanted the new-look Dunedin House to look and feel, to reflect the personality of the people who work for Shanks in the UK. In just over a year, the drab, gloomy head office has been transformed into a bright, fresh open-plan area in a refit that will benefit the whole business. Tom Gwilliam, Lifecycle Programme Manager, who project managed the transformation, said: “The old offices hadn’t been touched in decades. Now the first floor is light, fresh and clean, and features the Shanks branding, without feeling too corporate.
“The core functions of the business are on the same floor now and it means people from different teams see each other and can collaborate far more effectively.” The teams enjoying a closer working relationship are HR, Compliance, Legal, Property, Procurement, IT, Product, Engineering and Performance, Finance, Commercial and the Leadership team. PERSONALITY Work on the redesign began at the start of last year, when consultants looked at everything from teams’ work patterns, occupancy rates and storage areas right down to whether the kettles were up to scratch. All 75 colleagues based at head office were asked what they wanted from the new look and as a result the
offices now have: ■ break-out areas for informal meetings ■ quiet working areas ■ increased storage ■ lighter meeting rooms ■ branded wall messages ■ a collaboration area. Materials used in the facelift were recycled and existing cupboard areas were reused in the build, which showcases the waste-to-product story in a series of colourful murals. “Nothing was gold-plated, but was done sustainably with the aim that the benefits of working more closely together will be spread throughout the business,” said Tom. More projects to improve facilities at our sites in ELWA, Argyll and Bute, and Dumfries and Galloway are now in the pipeline.
And that’s not all… Colleagues at our Frog Island facility in East London are also looking forward to an office makeover. The proposed facelift has turned into a bigger job than expected. Lauren Smith, Assistant Procurement Manager overseeing the project, said: “The refurb was meant to be a simple painting and decorating job, but it’s turned into a bit of a design overhaul.” The revamp will make the office a modern hub from which to serve our customers, as well as enhance the
WATCH OUT BRADLEY! Keith’s got Mr Wiggins’ yellow jersey in his sights… well sort of Keith‘s two greatest fans will be roaring him on as he takes the mountain challenge
When Keith Sinfield isn’t keeping an eye on the smooth running of our sites, he’s training for smooth running of a different kind. That’s because our Engineering and Performance Director is set to embark on one of the most gruelling stages of the greatest endurance races known to man. He will follow in the tyre tracks of British Tour de France winners Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome on a special public stage of the 2,200-mile 2015 Tour. BREATHTAKING The head office-based cycling fanatic is hard in training to complete the one-day 142km Stage 19 of the Tour through the mountains of the French Alps in July. He and two former Shanks colleagues, Alan Patrickson and Paul Scott, will ride from St Jean de Maurienne to La Toussuire with 13,000 other cyclists. It
will be the second time Keith has done the challenge, after completing the Annecy stage in 2013. “When I did it the first time, it was stiflingly hot. We’d done 80 miles and were on the last 10, which was a steep climb through a wood in 32 degree heat. It was so oppressive,” he said. “But once you hit the top, get your breath, stop sweating and your legs stop burning, the views are breathtaking.” Keith revealed it was a failed Shanks bid that gave him the cycling bug four years ago: “I’d just missed out at the final stage on a PFI contract and was pretty livid, so I thought ‘right, I’m going to buy a bike’. I did, started clocking up the miles and it helped me get fit and get my thoughts together. “When the stress of work builds up, I always take to my bike and it works every time. I’d really recommend it.”
canteen, reception, boardroom and internal meeting rooms. “The admin office was really oldfashioned, and the canteen dull and uninspiring, so we wanted employees to have somewhere that they could enjoy and relax in on their break,” said Lauren. “We want to create an impact at our sites and really reflect the Shanks culture through the design of our offices and facilities.” Work on the Frog Island office, which first opened in 2007, starts this summer.
Pedal pointers ■ The L’etape du Tour for amateur riders was launched in 1993 and is open to all. ■ Ability levels don’t matter – many riders get off and walk up the steepest climbs. ■ The 2015 Tour de France will be the 102nd and starts in Utrecht, Netherlands, on 4 July. ■ This year’s Tour will consist of 21 stages over 23 days and cover around 2,200 miles.
6 ❙ June 2015
MAKING COMPOST IN THE LAN D
EXTREME RECYCLING No it’s not another bizarre TV show… it’s just what our colleagues in Canada get up to every day (and by the look of it, they love every minute) You’ve got to be made of pretty tough stuff to cut it as part of Shanks’ Canadian operation. Because although they’re as dedicated to making more from waste as their Shanks cousins across the Atlantic in the UK, that’s where the similarity ends. While a few days of scorching sun or sprinkling of snow has us rushing for the sunscreen or grit, startling extremes of weather are nothing to our Municipal colleagues in Ontario. They don’t bat an eyelid at temperatures veering from a nippy minus 35 in winter to a sweltering 30 degrees in summer, and it’s even hotter inside the facility, where temperatures can nudge 50 degrees. “The conditions mean we really have to look out for each other in every sense of the word,” said Maintenance Engineer Darryl Larocque. “The heat means we can’t leave people to work alone and they have to have regular breaks where we take on water and go outside to cool down.” But when ‘going outside’ still means resting in searing heat, the 15-strong team must pray for winter to roll around, even though that too brings another set of very different challenges. THE FOG Site Operator Joerg Boehm said: “In winter we have what we call The Fog where the frozen leaf and yard waste that comes into the facility meets the heat from the warming process inside to form a fine hazy cloud in the air. “Winter can be tough, but we wrap up warm and just get on with the job. The weather is normal for only around two or so months in spring
Site Operator Joerg Boehm takes a breather before getting back to work
Maintenance Engineer Darryl Larocque carries out some detailed upgrades on the plant
and again in the fall.” The only time our truckers are restricted on their workload is during early spring. In a bid to prevent excess journeys and limit wear and tear on the frozen roads, legal requirements prevent them from delivering ‘half-loads’ of compost to farmers. Joerg said: “The frozen waste comes in and gets loaded straight into a grinder, which breaks it down before it’s put through the shredder, which loosens it all up into a muddy mush. “It then goes through a process where we mix in heavier leaf waste and the mass is left for at least a week, with water and air added to the damp pile until it reaches 55 degrees.” FINE WINE After its oxygen, moisture and temperature levels are computer monitored in six huge tunnels, the mulch is cooled and run through a screener, before being loaded into 400-tonne storage bays ready for collection. Darryl said: “Some farmers like the more coarse compost, while others like a finer grade of compost. We can separate the two by running it through our screening line to separate and produce the two grades of compost. Then we leave it for 21 days – a bit like fine wine. “There’s a lot of mechanical work involved and, as you might imagine, because of the heat and cold we rely on good communications between
The fog caused when the cold air and waste from outside the facility meet the 50 degree heat inside
staff to ensure safety is a priority.” Farmers from all over Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec come to the site to collect the compost, which is only allowed to leave once samples have been tested by the laboratory. Scale Operator Michele Myre, the equivalent of a UK Weighbridge Operator, keeps an audit of how much waste comes in and how much compost is heading out. “Our contract with the City of Ottawa is to handle 80,000 tonnes a year and each year we are increasing our throughput as the public become more and more aware of the need to reuse green garbage every week,” she said. “We take a maximum of 540 tonnes a day and keep the City of Ottawa updated on an hourly basis.
The finished compost is loaded for delivery by Site Operator Jennifer Wielechowicz (below)
June 2015 ❙ 7
N D OF THE MAPLE LEAF
Continued from page 1 Our Canadian business has recently been granted Preferred Bidder status and agreed financial terms for a 25-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract, with the city of Surrey in British Columbia worth $220m Canadian (£120m). Work got under way in May on preparing the ground for the 90,000-tonne dry anaerobic digestion and composting facility to process kitchen and garden waste, which will create renewable fuel to power the city’s waste trucks. Peter Eglinton, Managing Director of the Municipal Division, said: “The worldclass facility will showcase our extensive international experience of organic processing and ability to deliver value to Municipal customers in Europe and Canada. “Canada offers an exciting pipeline of opportunities and in the UK we are progressing well with exciting build programmes and large contracts with local authorities. As a team we have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which can be shared across the new division to accelerate our growth for the future.” Dale Harley, General Manager, said: “There are a lot of things to get to know over the coming months, but it’s going to be a very exciting and important time as we learn about each other. “Having met the people in the UK, they are very similar to the guys in Canada.”
Team spirit: Joerg (left) and Darryl (right) thank Michele for a good job
So what’s new?
Like the UK, we have strong relationships with local authorities and we are leading the way in innovations that can really benefit the UK At the other end, our reputation as a supplier of quality compost is so good now that our customers keep coming back.” The round-the-clock operations in Ottawa and London, Ontario, will be joined in 2017 by a third Organics Biofuels Processing Facility 2,700 miles away in Surrey on the east coast near Vancouver. Michele said: “It’s really exciting to be part of Shanks because there are a lot of similarities and some areas where we can learn from each other. The bottom line is we both take yukky stuff and turn it into something good. “Like the UK, we have strong relationships with local authorities and we are leading the way in innovations that can really benefit the UK. I’d love to come over to talk about it further. Hint, hint.”
■ Canadian Organics business and the Organics Technical team merge with UK Municipal Division to create new Municipal Division. ■ Two sites in Ottawa and London to be joined by Vancouver facility – the largest of its kind in Canada – which will turn 115,000 tonnes of organic waste a year into renewable natural gas as part of a 25-year contract with city councils. ■ Called Municipal because winning long-term contracts with councils is a key strategy in both the UK and Canada. ■ Innovation in Canada will benefit composting and gasification in the UK.
Scale Operator Michele is the oil that helps the machine keep running
■ Knowledge of growing local authority partnerships in the UK will benefit our teams in Canada, where the government are increasing the pressure on councils to divert more waste from landfill.
8 ❙ June 2015
GET
That’s what we want everyone in our teams to do, so we kept it simple and named our new safety branding after it! A dedicated front-line team of safety branding champions are set to have a big say on how we implement the new safety approach across all our sites. The 20 Brand Champions at our UK facilities will be YOUR voice when it comes to ensuring we get home safely at the end of each day. They will help shape the roll-out of the new Home Safe branding, which will begin to appear on PPE and workwear, along with Compliance emails and letterheads, in the months ahead. The safety branding champions, who are due to be announced shortly, will use knowledge of their own sites to advise on the best way to launch the new branding. ROADSHOWS “The front-line champions are best placed to advise on what they think will work for their various facilities to ensure we work carefully, promote personal responsibility and achieve our safety goals as a team,” said Head of Compliance, Kez Grimley, who worked on the rebrand. “The Home Safe branding will be a constant reminder of why working safely is so important, so that we can all get home safe to our families after a good day’s work.” To hammer that message home, the new branding features the strapline ‘Creating safety excellence together’. Lucille Stanley, QHSE Advisor at ELWA and Elstow, will be hosting a series of roadshows to talk through the concept behind the new brand and how
10 Q
Lucille Stanley, who worked on the Home Safe rebrand with Kez Grimley
Kitted out
it can best be launched at each site. The champions will eventually be encouraged to share good practice and innovations that are working – and those that aren’t – with other sites using ConnectUs. FOCUS Lucille added: “The overwhelming theme from the competition entries was that staying safe was both a personal and team effort. The new logo and slogan says just that.”
The launch will be supported by regular communications updates, while the champions will also play a key role in the CARE, or Communications, Accountability, Responsibility and Engagement, elements of the project in the future. Lucille said: “A focus group of key members of departments and sites across the UK business will be set up to review the project at various intervals to make sure we remain on track.”
Will your site lead the way on safety? ReNEWS will be featuring the teams going Above and Beyond when it comes to safety and compliance initiatives in future editions.
The first marque, incorporating the Home Safe logo and Creating Safety Excellence Together slogan, will be used on formal publications from the UK Compliance department. The second marque of the brand will be used for PPE and site communications, such as SHE Matters and Safety Posters, as well as Permit to Works and Safety Passports. The pictures (left) show how it will look on our PPE.
minutes with…
Charlotte McDonald, Compliance Reporting Advisor reports for the Compliance team after liaising with the regional QHSE advisors and co-ordinate permit applications and transfers among a lot of other things.
What is your favourite hobby?
Trying new activities. I recently went quad biking and absolutely loved it! In the past I’ve done segwaying, indoor skydiving, rock climbing, caving and the Go Ape treetop adventure courses. I’m desperate to do a real skydive and go zorbing.
Q
What does your role as Compliance Reporting Advisor entail?
It’s a central reporting role for all safety
Everyone I’ve met… has been so helpful and welcoming. It’s refreshing to see how passionate all employees are
Q
What have your first impressions of Shanks been?
and environmental legislative requirements, so while much is report-based, I also visit sites to meet operational staff and other departments. I compile and submit annual statutory reports, like the Corporate Responsibility, CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment), ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) and Pollution Inventory reports. I also produce monthly performance
Extremely positive. In my first few months everyone I’ve met at head office and on sites has been so helpful and welcoming. It’s really refreshing to see how passionate all employees are about their roles.
Q
What was the last book, DVD and download you bought?
I can’t remember the last book I bought, but the last DVD I bought was The Proposal in the sale around Valentine’s Day. The last song I downloaded was Trouble by Iggy Azalea.
Q
What are your favourite qualities in a friend?
Definitely honesty, being trustworthy and having a good sense of humour.
Q
Your most treasured possession?
My iPad. I’m constantly glued to it at home and I always feel quite lost if I go away without it.
Q
What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your job?
Being given the independence to manage my own projects or workstreams from start to finish.
Q
What’s your idea of happiness?
Relaxing in the sun, drinking cocktails!
Q
Which three dinner party guests would you invite and why?
Although I’d probably be expected to cook, I’d invite Jamie Oliver in the hope that he’d take over. My second guest would be Miranda Hart because I‘d love to meet her in person after seeing her live at Wembley last year. My third guest would be Rihanna to provide the music.
June 2015 ❙ 9
WHO’S THE FITTEST OF THEM ALL?
HEIDI’S MARATHON HIGH Fitness fanatic reveals how her porridge and pizza diet got her over the finish line A year and a half ago Heidi Brown was a running novice. But this summer she crossed the finishing line at the London Marathon in 4 hours 5 minutes. Not bad for the self-confessed foodie who ate what she wanted during training, although she did give up alcohol. “I didn’t really lose weight, but because I was doing lots of exercise, I got away with eating more of the food I love. I had a massive pizza the night before the race,” she said. PASSIONATE The 36-year-old, who handles environmental waste shipments as a TFS Co-ordinator, had a lightningbolt moment to become a fitness fanatic when she decided to raise money for a local charity. She said: “It was something I’d always wanted to do. My brother has mild Asperger’s and I really wanted to raise money for a charity I felt passionate about.” After that she spent every free hour pounding pavements near her home in Milton Keynes: “I knew I could do it and got up to about
20 miles in training, but I was still really nervous!” SOGGY Heidi was steadily upping her miles to make sure she was ready for the 26-mile stretch, but her biggest concern was bad weather on the day: “I really didn’t want to run 26 miles with soggy feet, but luckily for me, the weather was perfect.” Shanks colleagues donated in numbers to back her all the way. “All of my team were supportive, asking how training was going. Even suppliers I work with checked on my progress. I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity.” Heidi raised £1,700 for local charity MacIntyre and also held a cake sale at head office to boost funds. “I had to dig deep around mile 22 as I hit a wall, but I loved every minute. Seeing my family and friends in the crowd was the lift I needed. I will be entering the ballot for next year, I have the bug.” Heidi’s husband Rob and daughter Aimee were waiting at the finishing line to whisk her off for Prosecco and a burger with fries!
Training? Who needs it?
For many, being told you have two days to prepare for a 26-mile marathon is the stuff of nightmares. This scenario was in fact a reality for Paul Wetherell, our site manager at Hespin Wood.
SURPRISE “I had gone to visit my son in London on the Friday and he told me his running partner had broken his leg. They risked losing all of his sponsorship money,” he explained. Paul had been unknowingly put forward as the replacement. “I was annoyed at first. I was so nervous, I genuinely thought there is no way I could do it. I just spent the two days
I did it! Heidi made light work of the gruelling 26 miles to raise £1,700 for charity
Paul enjoying a well-deserved drink after a 40-mile trek, two weeks after the marathon
stretching and hoping for the best.” Paul finished the route in an impressive 4 hours 38 minutes. “The whole day was a bit of a blur, the atmosphere was incredible, but I was so exhausted that I collapsed at the end,” said the dad of two, who spent two weeks recovering. “Would I do it again? Maybe, with a bit more notice!”
Bake-off
Shanks colleagues put on their pinnies to help marathon star Heidi Brown hit her £1,500 fundraising target. Colleagues Clare Molyneaux, Jo Keep and Beckie Gillan encouraged friends at Dunedin House to delve into their pockets in aid of learning disability charity MacIntyre. Heidi said: “The cake sale did extremely well. We raised £221 and Shanks kindly matched the donation, so I was able to put £442 towards my fundraising pot.” MacIntyre run care homes, supported-living schemes and a further education college, supporting 900 children and adults with learning disabilities. Heidi said: “I have been blown away by the support and generosity of everyone at Shanks. Let’s hope I made them proud with my efforts!”
TO DONATE, VISIT HEIDI’S JUST GIVING PAGE
VISIT IT
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THERE’S NO STOPPING THE UNSTOPPABLES Twelve teams but one goal successfully reached
An unstoppable gang of Shanks employees have taken the company by storm to complete a Tour of Britain fitness challenge in just nine weeks. The team of six were one of 12 teams that took part in the challenge to walk, ride or run the distance between all our UK sites over six months. Kirstie Slade, who helped organise the challenge, said: “We were looking at ways of bringing our people closer together.” The fitness enthusiasts have not stopped despite their success and have racked up 1,972 miles to date. THRILL After crossing the Channel to our Benelux sites, they are now heading towards Malta, 3,146 miles from where they first started in Lochgilphead. Hana Bajerova, Resource and Recovery Executive, clocked up the most miles, having done everything from wakeboarding to water polo. “I’ll try anything when it comes to fitness,”
Hana (left) recently gained a black belt in tae kwon do and Clare (right) after a workout she said. “The highlight was the thrill of knowing we were neck-and-neck with another team. The CEO is a keen cyclist and could complete a 50-mile ride over the weekend, so the pressure was on and it got very competitive!” Clare Molyneaux, Compliance Administrator, used the challenge as a personal goal to improve her fitness after recovering from cancer. “After surgery and treatment, I was discharged
as a cancer patient in January. “Joining the challenge stopped me having excuses and, with the help and support of the rest of the team, made me return to the gym. It was hard at first, but now I’m trying to go three times a week and the miles soon add up,” she said. Other team members include Abdul Haneef, Louise Thompson, Alison Mpouki and marathon runner Heidi Brown.
10 ❙ June 2015
The top team are (left to right) Catherine George, Lauren Smith and Abdul Haneef
Ann’s good with numbers Generous Shanks people are set to give a major confidence boost to a group of youngsters, with a little help from a Shanks friend. Agresso Support Analyst Ann Davis (pictured), monitors our financial data by day, but at night the 28-year-old is a butterfly at the local Rainbow girl guide group in Bedfordshire, where she was a member herself two decades ago. She has led the First Linslade Rainbows since starting at Shanks seven years ago, but has been desperate to raise money for new sports equipment. She pleaded with colleagues to send her hundreds of Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers and even enrolled the support of the IT team to publicise her appeal. Ann said: “I’ve been encouraging people to shop at Sainsbury’s and some days I’ve come back from lunch and found piles of vouchers on my desk.” Ann soon doubled her target of 400 vouchers to buy a team-building parachute: “Rainbows is important for the young girls, who leave with confidence and skills.”
Child’s play Working parents could benefit from a new Tax Free Childcare Scheme set to launch this autumn. Single parents, or families where both parents work, could claim up to £2,000 per child towards childcare costs. Parents will be assessed on individual circumstance and not everyone is eligible. Once the Tax Free Childcare Scheme is launched, parents will be unable to join the Childcare Voucher Scheme offered by Shanks through Shanks Fruitful, which gives employees the option of exchanging part of their salary for childcare vouchers. It is important for parents to explore their options and HR Services – at hradmin@shanks.co.uk – will issue further information in due course.
FOUR-STAR STRATEGY
CHAIN REACTION
Suits us – slick new system will mean we get the best possible deals on everything from clothing to heavy plant
A revolutionary change in the way we buy equipment and services from suppliers is making us more effective and potentially saving the business millions of pounds. A review of our procurement process found there was no overview of which suppliers we were using, how much we were paying and whether we could get things for less. With 80% of Shanks’ annual expenditure committed to suppliers, the absence of an effective procurement overview needed addressing. So 12 months ago a strategic change programme was launched, overseen by interim Procurement Director Dave Osborn.
“Purchasing used to be seen as a menial task for the raising of purchase orders. A professional procurement function should be thinking about how we can get the best deal by considering the whole businesss needs, rather than isolated tactical purchasing,” he said. The initial review revealed a need to: ■ reduce the number of suppliers ■ engage better with suppliers ■ improve controls on spending and supplier performance management. Dave said: “While the company has transformed from a simple landfill company to a complex wasteto-product business, our buying processes and systems were still a little outdated.”
GRASS WILL BE GREENER The first product to come out of our new Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) waste treatment facility is being used to breathe fresh life into the English countryside. Nutrient-rich digestate from the BDR Dry Anaerobic Digestion facility is now ready to be used on the site of a disused Nottinghamshire colliery. The site has been taking fines from the Cumbria, ELWA and D&G PFIs for four months to aid commissioning, but the end product could not be used until Shanks had successfully completed a
Lauren Smith is part of the four-strong team bringing the new supply chain strategy to life. One of three assistant procurement managers, she’s delighted the old purchase order system has been replaced with a more efficient way of working. “We manage the procurement process across all sites by making sure each of their needs are captured, that tactical relationships with approved suppliers are managed and that requests are handled in the best way,” she said. Led by Martin Capper, she is joined in the team by Catherine George and Abdul Haneef. It’s working too. The team is already delivering savings, thanks to a three-year deal with procurement specialists Xchanging Procurement Limited, who are helping with process design and management, as well as creating effective deals with new and existing suppliers. Lauren said: “We make sure the process runs smoothly by being able to give an overview of suppliers across the business.” Our most used 120 suppliers heard how the changes will benefit them at a series of conferences in March and are already coming forward with ideas on how we can forge even stronger partnerships.
series of legislative hurdles. Our teams had to prove to the Animal and Plant Health Authority that the material contains no harmful animal by-products, as well as show the
Environment Agency that the material is safe to use and there were no birds nesting at its final destination. Steve Bullock, Process Design Manager, who oversaw the fines supply and deployment, said: “It’s been a great team effort with support from Operations in the PFIs ensuring goodquality fines were received at BDR. “The BDR guys did a great job to get the facility through commissioning. We went through a lot of hoops, but with the fantasic end result that our product is now stimulating plant growth and aid grass land establishment at the site.”
The solution was the Strategic Supply Chain Integration Programme (SSIP), which is streamlining the way we buy goods and services. WASTING “It’s common sense. If you go into a store in Elstow to buy a £150 suit, unaware that the same suit is on sale in Doncaster for £100, you’re wasting money. Equally, if you know you need 10 of the suits, there’s an opportunity to improve still further the price you pay. The principle behind these changes is the same,” said Dave. A new central Procurement Functional Organisation was launched last year to lead regular cross-business reviews of procurement, training,
development and best practice. A major part of the change programme has been to improve how we manage relationships with our key suppliers – to integrate them in what we are trying to achieve and boost local and national relationships to enhance value, streamline our supplier base and get the best value for money.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
VISIT IT
https://youtu.be/pCA7SnG8a-M
Teams unite for Lakes trek Colleagues across Cumbria joined forces by strapping on their walking boots for the North West Air Ambulance. Cumbria team, Nick Blake, Colin Walker and Paul Wetherell, based at Hespin Wood, partnered QSHE Advisor Chris Walker and David Dale from Barrow, to tackle the 40-mile route between Keswick and Barrow. Keen walker Paul said the 10 miles into Barrow were the toughest for the team. “The last part of the trek was virtually an uphill climb the whole way,” he said. “Everyone persevered, but there were plenty of blisters!” The teams’ spirits were lifted after the pouring rain turned into glorious
sunshine and hundreds of spectators, and family and friends cheered them towards the finishing line. “It took us over 11 hours, but we did it. The atmosphere was amazing and we were really proud to have raised around £1,000 for such a great cause.” SAFETY Brian Francis, MBT Team Leader at Hespin Wood, manned the support vehicle to make sure they got from A to B safely. Joanne Crone, Community Liaison Officer, said: “We’re trying to do more things as a team after the Pulse survey findings, and the walk was a great chance to do just that.”
June 2015 ❙ 11
AMOS AIMING HIGH
A quarter of a century ago, the Channel Tunnel opened, thousands rioted against the Poll Tax and the first episode of the Simpsons hit the small screen. The same year, 1990, Amos Felix joined Jenkins Lane as a Maintenance Engineer and is now celebrating his 25th year at the MBT facility. The Team Maintenance Leader now oversees 12 Father-of-five Amos, says his children love to recycle his wages into the newest gadgets
D’oh! Long-serving Shanks engineer tries to teach his kids the real meaning of recycling
engineers and an apprentice at our ELWA Jenkins Lane facility in East London. “I became part of the growing waste management industry when I joined the workforce at Newham Borough Council. The change to the private sector was the challenge I rose to when Shanks took over Jenkins Lane in 2002,” said the father-of-five from Canning Town. Amos has dealt with many challenges during his time with Shanks, but admits there is one part of his job he has always
struggled with. “We are pretty tight on pest control at our sites, but if I ever see a rat, I scream. They absolutely petrify me,” said the burly rugby fan. GADGETS Over the past 25 years Amos has seen plenty of change on and off site. He said: “When I started, all waste went to landfill with little regard for recycling. The impact on the environment meant that couldn’t continue and changed the industry.” However, Amos is anything but
happy that his passion for recycling has been inherited by his children, adding: “I’ve got five kids and the most reusing they do is recycling my wages into the latest must-have gadgets.” Amos, who checks the day-to-day running of our sites and organisation of suppliers and contractors, added: “My job is so much busier now. When I started, we used to run our sites from eight in the morning to eight in the evening. Now they run about 24 hours a day, six days a week.” His boss, Regional Engineering
GOT AED I SATISFMER CUSTOY TO STOR E? SHAR emp
.
Helen K Contact n.kemp@ le e h at .co.uk shanks
TOP TRIO DRAW THE CROWDS
BENCHMARK The old Denby Dale Road site was demolished and rebuilt as part of the £750-million PFI project with Wakefield Council, which also saw new purposebuilt HWRCs come to Glasshoughton
and our new waste treatment site at South Kirkby. They are part of a new wave of centres that shows Shanks setting a benchmark for domestic recycling. REWARDING The new Recycling Centres offer evening opening until 8pm one night a week, better signage, more facilities for recycling and overhead canopies. Sally Hurn, Project Co-ordinator, said: “We’ve had plenty of customers say how easy it is to drop off their recycling and what an improvement the new HWRC is on the last one. Word is spreading that a visit to our Recycling Centres can be a rewarding experience.” Key to that is the ‘service with a smile’ philosophy of the team who are always
Bart Simpson made his TV debut and the Channel Tunnel opened in the year Amos started
EASTER BANK HOLIDAY VISITOR NUMBERS:
GLASSHOUGHTON
1,568 SOUTH KIRKBY
662 WAKEFIELD
1,833 On Sunday 19 April 2015 a record-breaking South Kirkby Site Supervisor Kevin Chatham (above). There’s clear signage and plenty of space at the new Denby Dale Road site
New user-friendly sites across Wakefield proving a recordbreaking hit with customers Record numbers of customers flocked to a trio of new Shanks Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) within weeks of their opening. An incredible 4,000 people poured through the gates of our new-look Wakefield centres in one bank holiday weekend alone after their reopening during March. The new all-weather covered facilities have been a big hit with customers, who have also been impressed by the customer service on site.
Manager Chris Maher, said: “Amos has been an invaluable member of the team and played a vital role during the fire at Frog Island going beyond the call of duty to work around the clock to support the fire brigade with technical knowledge.” So what’s the key to his longevity? “My colleagues. In the time I’ve worked here I’ve met and become great friends with many people. It’s like being part of a big family.”
happy to help customers. Sally added: “The figures show our new Recycling Centres are encouraging people to think about recycling and re-use. “Our team are committed to helping customers recycle or re-use as much of their waste as possible.”
2,279
people visited all three Wakefield HWRC sites
Customers don’t get soaked when they drop off anymore
Recycling figures from our first month were 74%, the highest in the Wakefield area, a massive achievement and a credit to the operatives we have here. Staff morale is good, thanks to improved working conditions, and this comes across when I watch the attendants interact with the public. We’ve had great feedback on the new facilities, with comments about ease of use and friendliness of the staff to the practical layout of the site KEVIN CHATHAM, SITE SUPERVISOR OF SOUTH KIRKBY HWRC
WIN!
12 ❙ June 2015
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GO SET A WATCHMAN Harper Lee (14.7.15)
What’s the story? To Kill a Mockingbird, the
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The sun is out and it’s time to attend to those neglected gardens. Why not make yours the place to be this summer with a brand-new barbecue? For your chance to win a top-of-the-range grill that will cook your food to perfection, text or email us with your answer to the
question below right. Here’s a clue, the answer features somewhere in this issue of ReNEWS. All correct entries will be put into a draw and the lucky winner picked out at random will get their hands on this brilliant prize. All entries must be submitted by 30 June and
1930s story of racial injustice through the eyes of six-year-old Scout Finch, has captivated audiences for decades. After a surprise discovery of an old manuscript, Lee is set to thrill again with her second novel, 55 years on. In Go Set a Watchman, Scout is back, but she is not a schoolgirl any more. Set 20 years later, Finch returns to dusty Alabama to visit her father Atticus. She reflects on the person she has become, the politics of her father and the small town that shaped her. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD HAS SOLD OVER 40 MILLION COPIES AROUND THE WORLD SINCE ITS RELEASE IN 1960.
BLOODLINE
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when you submit your entry, make sure to give us your name and contact details.
What’s the story? Who doesn’t love a good family scandal with
skeletons rattling in the closet? The Rayburns are the picture-perfect American family, successful and well-connected, they are the pillar of their Florida community. The 45th anniversary of their thriving hotel business should be a day of celebration, but things turn sour when their outcast son shows up uninvited. Threatening to spill the family’s darkest secrets, the Rayburns must pull together to protect their reputation. Who’s in it? Ben Mendelsohn (Starred Up, The Dark Knight Rises) Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street, Zero Dark Thirty).
Q
What extremes of temperature do our Canadian colleagues face at their plant in Ottawa? TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. ReNews reserves the right to change the prize without prior notice. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash.
WOLF ALICE
My Love Is Cool (12.6.15)
TEXT: 07860 021367 EMAIL: shanks@summersault.co.uk
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE – JUST FOR FUN! At Shanks, we pride ourselves on paying attention to detail, and now it’s time to put your observation skills to the test. Here are two pictures of our re-use queen Emma Ray, featured on the front page and page 3 of this issue, but all is not as it seems. We have made five changes to the picture on the right, can you spot the difference?
Who are they? London-based four-piece Wolf Alice have gone from being a relatively off-the-radar rock group to featuring on the Radio 1 playlist thanks to the success of hits Fluffy and Moaning Lisa Smile. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell has promised an array of genres to feature in their debut album, set for release in June. From tracks that emulate the grunge pop sound of Nirvana to more folky and upbeat singles, My Love is Cool is bound to be a staple soundtrack for the summer of 2015. If you like… Elastica and The XX, you will love Wolf Alice.
JURASSIC WORLD Cert: TBC (12.6.15)
What’s the story? Steven Spielberg is back for the fourth instalment of
the iconic Jurassic Park franchise. Geneticists at the Isla Nublar nature park cultivate a hybrid species to boost dwindling visitor numbers. The new dinosaur, Indominus Rex, doesn’t play nice though and things soon spiral out of control. Expect mind-blowing visuals in the new dinosaur adventure starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and returning actor B.D. Wong set to play Dr. Henry Wu from the original film. Most likely to hear: ‘Run!!!!!’ Less likely to hear: ‘Can we go to the ice cream van?’
Answers: 1) Pot on shelf missing 2) Coaster different colour 3) Ring on carpet yellow 4) Lampshade stand missing 5) Towel on sofa missing
…
Westcott Park Supervisors Paul White and Steven Young had a dinner on us, after completing their CoTC awards in six months. AD Manager Ricky Andrew said: “Both worked very hard to complete their Technical Competence awards, giving up their own time to do so.”
LAST ISSUE’S WINNER!
Congratulations to Lucille Stanley, who correctly answered our competition questions last issue to win Bose Mini Soundlink speakers.
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