Wincanton’s WEEE Facility Awarded

Leading provider of electrical recycling solutions, Wincanton, has been awarded ISO 14001 accreditation in recognition of its UK recycling operations, encompassing its WEEE and fridge treatment plants in Billingham, Teesside. The benchmark is the International Standardisation Organisation’s standard for environmental management systems; the Wincanton Group achieved ISO 14001 accreditation in December 2006.

To achieve accreditation, Wincanton’s recycling division reviewed many of the aspects of its recycling operations that could have an environmental impact.

The benefits of introducing such a system include improved perception of key environmental issues by employees, increased efficiency and use of energy and raw materials, and an improved ability to comply with environmental regulations.

Simon Hill, commercial manager, Wincanton, commented on the award: “This standard evidences our commitment to provide a high quality of service to all obligated stakeholders under the WEEE Directive, and to assist them fulfil their CSR commitments. With the implementation of the WEEE Directive only a matter of weeks away, we are delighted to be able to demonstrate to the industry that our solutions are being recognised by such an internationally respected standard.”

Wincanton has been a leader in the WEEE recycling industry since the WEEE Directive’s inception, working with a number of leading retailers, manufacturers, and compliance schemes to prepare companies for the July 2007 implementation. In February 2006, Wincanton opened the UK’s first large scale WEEE treatment plant, investing over £4.5m in the Billingham facility, which is capable of recycling in excess of 100,000 tonnes of WEEE a year, subject to shift patterns. Its comprehensive portfolio of WEEE logistics solutions also allows Wincanton to undertake the collection, sortation and consolidation of WEEE for many of the UK’s leading companies.