From difficult waste setup to zero landfill

Queensbury Products Ltd. handled a variety of waste streams, including general waste, dry mixed recycling, cardboard cutouts and polypropylene plastic. Before partnering with SUEZ, waste disposal was complicated by the presence of large, fixed carrier skills located at the back of the site. These skips were difficult to access and required staff to carry waste over long distances, increasing time needed and introducing safety risks. Improper storage and uncollected waste added to the challenges faced.

While the company made efforts to segregate waste, confidence was low that the recycling collected was consistently diverted from landfill, as even recycling materials was collected as general waste by service providers. Moreover, the business lacked accurate tools to measure how much waste it produced or what it consisted of. This lack of visibility made it difficult to assess waste composition and find opportunities to improve environmental performance.

SUEZ worked closely with Queensbury Products Ltd. to design a waste setup more suited to daily operations. This included:

• Replacing immovable, large skips with smaller mobile bins that could be positioned closer to where waste is generated, increasing accessibility and making handling more practical and safer for staff.
• Introducing a digital reporting portal to provide transparent, real-time data on waste streams, including recycling and general waste, enabling better understanding and control of waste management.
• Conducting a comprehensive site and operations assessment to determine optimal container placement and to introduce multiple bin types that improved compliance with current Simpler Recycling regulations.
• Maintaining ongoing communication and support to adapt the waste system as operational needs evolved.

By bringing waste collection points nearer to source, unnecessary transport was reduced and a more localised and efficient approach to waste management was established.

Queensbury Products successfully reached its objective of zero waste to landfill, with 46% of waste now recycled and the remaining 54% diverted to energy recovery. The introduction of mobile bins has improved daily management of waste, especially during clean-up activities where bins can easily be moved closer to designated zones, streamlining collection and increasing safety. 

The ability to access detailed reporting has brought clarity and control to the company’s waste profile. Leadership and staff now have tools and data to make informed decisions about sourcing sustainable raw materials and managing disposal expenses more effectively. This transparency encourages ongoing motivation and progress monitoring related to improving recycling rates.

Beyond operational improvements, the project has fostered stronger environmental awareness across the organisation. Senior management engagement, clear waste segregation signage and easy access to reporting have increased staff understanding of how waste streams contribute to recycling and energy recovery.  This cultural shift has encouraged a more intentional approach to segregation and recycling, reinforcing Queensbury Products’ commitment to circular economy principles, with continued efforts planned to source sustainable materials and reduce waste generation in the future.