London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

• Brook Lyndhurst, March 2004, ‘Sustainable Business Development, Final Report for
the London Development Agency and Business Link for London
4.43. Other waste compositional data will become available on the higher and further
educational sectors later this year as Waste Watch will have completed their Biffawardsponsored
Mass Balance project which is, in part, looking at waste outputs from
educational institutions.
Waste Management Companies Consultations
Approach
4.44. The aim of the consultations was to address the information gaps identified in the
literature review and to provide additional information to build up a profile of the waste
management industry in London. The main objectives were to obtain additional data on
tonnages, management, customer range, and future intentions. It was noted at the
outset that some of this information may be commercially sensitive and hence may not
be made available to us.
4.45. Consultation by telephone was deemed to be the most appropriate approach. This was
due to the short timescale available and the greater flexibility that this approach gave.
Companies were identified through the Environmental Services Association (ESA)
members’ database, available on their website, as well as from SLR’s knowledge of the
industry.
Environmental Services Association (ESA) Website
4.46. This website provides information on private waste management companies within
London. Although its members’ database lists private waste management companies, it
does not provide details as to whether they operate in London or simply have an office
in the city.
4.47. A total of 19 waste management companies were approached. Each company was
initially contacted by telephone to identify the appropriate member of staff who would
be able to answer any questions. Detailed discussions were held with 8 companies,
which included the main ‘household names’ (i.e. BIFFA Waste Services, Cory
Environmental, Cleanaway, Grundon, Onyx and SITA) and limited discussions were held
with a further two companies. A list of consultees is appended (Appendix B).
4.48. Whilst many of the companies contacted were able to provide useful information, the
majority were unwilling or unable to provide even approximate information on tonnages
and composition.
4.49. The responses to our consultations are described below, starting with a general profile
of the industry before looking at arisings, treatment, disposal, and barriers and
opportunities.
Company Profile
4.50. There appears to be no single or easily defined model for waste management companies
in London. Not only do the companies vary in terms of size, facility, and the waste
streams that they handle but, interestingly, some also vary in terms of their national
profile; i.e. some companies operate a different service in London compared to other
areas of the country. For example, there are companies that collect commercial and
industrial and municipal wastes across the country, but who largely concentrate on
municipal wastes in London. Alternatively, one company concentrates on waste
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