J&B News & Updates

05.05.20

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has this week announced it is exploring the potential for further support for the waste sector.

Defra has released a survey within the industry to develop its understanding of how the waste and recycling sector is coping during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Defra says this will help to, “inform policy decisions, aid our contingency planning across Defra and wider Government; and help us to support the sector at large.”

The survey hopes to help Defra to understand issues such as staff numbers, changes to capacity and financial pressures within the industry during this time and comes as Defra ensures it will do everything it can to ensure the vital work the waste sector does can continue.

Mark Penny, Commercial Manager at J&B Recycling, said: “As part of the lockdown process, we have suspended many customer’s accounts. The volume of collections carried out has been reduced by approximately 75%.

“Although some drivers have been furloughed, some vehicles parked up and rounds consolidated our other fixed costs have not reduced. The distance travelled between sites still requiring service has increased. This has all expanded the emptying cost per bin for our rounds that remain.

“J&B is featured on the United Resource Operators Consortium (UROC)’s list that as standing ready to help and this has been sent to Defra to offer our services.”

This week Defra has also updated its guidance on testing for key workers. This includes those in the waste sector, with testing for the virus being carried out at regional sites, at home, mobile units or NHS facilities. You can find more about testing guidance here.

For further information on how J&B Recycling can help you to improve your recycling efficiency please contact us.