Waste Management

Keenan Recycling, a leader in sustainable waste management, has achieved a significant milestone by having its baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory formally verified by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in accordance with the ISO 14064-1 standard. This makes Keenan Recycling the first waste recycling company in the UK to have its carbon emissions verified by BSI.

The ISO 14064-1 verification process, conducted by an accredited provider (BSI), underscores Keenan Recycling’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its carbon emissions measurement and reporting. This independently verified baseline will serve as the foundation for the company’s Net Zero strategy, offering a solid benchmark to guide its future efforts in reducing emissions.

“Our carbon inventory provides the foundation for our carbon reduction planning,” said Fergus Healy, Head of Strategic Development & Net Zero at Keenan Recycling. “Having it verified against ISO 14064-1 by BSI is a significant step in ensuring our emissions reporting meets internationally recognised standards. This achievement further sets us apart in the industry and underlines our commitment to meet our SBTi targets through credible, science-backed sustainability initiatives.”

ISO 14064-1 is a globally recognised standard that provides a framework for organisations to quantify, monitor, and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

This verification validates Keenan Recycling’s robust approach to measuring and managing its greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and Net Zero leadership in the waste sector.

It has been reported that the number of fly-tipping incidents in the UK has increased alarmingly over the past year, with councils spending over £10 million to clean up illegally disposed of waste. This trend has a negative impact on the environment, public health, and wildlife, as contaminated waste can pollute local food and water sources and cause diseases to spread.

AFTA (Anti Fly-Tipping Association) was established by experienced waste industry professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of waste crimes, such as fly-tipping. They have dealt with thousands of fly-tipping incidents over the years and are aware of the challenges faced by local authorities in prosecuting offenders. AFTA’s goal is to raise awareness among the general public of the social and environmental problems caused by fly-tipping within the community and to discourage the use of rogue operators who profit from and bring the industry into disrepute.

Fly-tipping has become a pervasive problem in the UK, with one in eight UK residents admitting to participating in this activity, according to a recent survey conducted by Furniture and Choice. In 2021-22, local authorities in England reported over a million fly-tipping incidents.

AFTA members are made up of bona fide operators exasperated with the relatively low penalties that make fly-tipping a low-risk and high-reward crime, along with the current failings within the waste carrier registration system, as anyone can obtain a license by completing an online form and paying a fee. This system makes it easy for convicted criminals to obtain licenses and appear legitimate, even if they have a history of waste crime offenses.

AFTA calls for a reform of the waste licensing application system to make it more stringent and to discourage individuals and businesses from engaging in fly-tipping. The Environmental Services Association (ESA) also acknowledges the flaws in the waste carriers’ registration system, with ESA head of regulation Sam Corp stating that “regulating against this behaviour and prosecuting offenders is challenging.”

To address the shortcomings of the waste carriers’ registration system, AFTA requires its members to comply with a strict members’ charter, which includes allowing AFTA to make unannounced requests for waste disposal receipts to verify that members dispose of waste legally. This approach adds an extra layer of protection against the flaws in the waste carriers’ registration system. Any member who fails to comply with the members’ charter or to produce waste disposal receipts will be immediately expelled from the association.

According to AFTA spokesperson Dylan Graham, the association’s primary objective is to raise public awareness about the harmful social and environmental consequences of fly-tipping within communities. AFTA seeks to discourage households from using the services of unscrupulous individuals who offer low-cost waste removal services, often without disclosing where the waste is going. These cash-in-hand operators not only damage the reputation of legitimate waste management businesses but also profit from their illegal activities.