Recycling Support Brings Business Success

A unique kerbside collection service for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries, launched in December 2007, is proving the business potential of recycling initiatives in London.

Thanks to a £95k grant from Enhance, a support service for green enterprises in London, First Mile is recruiting about ten new clients a day.  Since its launch in December 2007, the business is already collecting waste from 200 businesses.  With over 133,000 tonnes of WEEE created in London each year, First Mile is doing its bit to divert some of this waste away from landfill.

Bruce Bratley, managing director of First Mile, says:

We want to get every SME in London recycling by 2010. That may sound a tall order, but it’s easy with First Mile’s services. It is incredibly important that every business takes responsibility for the waste it produces.

The cost to SMEs appears to be based around relatively expensive waste collection sacks and stickers (£25 each) used to dispose of WEEE and batteries. 

Nevertheless, First Mile does provide customers with consignment notes for hazardous waste and duty of care for all waste collected and kerb-side collection is certainly convenient and probably more efficient than alternatives.