RETAIL FACILITIES ADMINISTRATION AND


SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS Dobbies had over twenty different contractors managing their varied waste streams across multiple sites, which meant the invoicing process was complex. They received varying levels of service from the different contractors, which created a lack of consistency between sites.


“IN 2015 94% OF ALL DOBBIES’ WASTE WAS DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL.”


RECYCLING Dobbies is more than a traditional


garden centre; it has on-site restaurants and pet centres, producing complex waste streams. Dobbies team were concerned that this waste was not being disposed of as effectively as possible – they wanted to increase the levels of on-site segregation and recycling across all of their stores. For a business operating in such an environmentally conscious industry, this was very important.


Many retailers are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, for Dobbies spring and Christmas are the peak trading times when additional waste is produced.


THE SWR SOLUTION At the start of the contract, SWR


carried out an in depth analysis of Dobbies stores to ascertain the types of waste, quantities, and where it was going. SWR then developed an optimised, cost-effective system to increase recycling and simplify the waste management process. Throughout the partnership adjustments have been made such as the introduction of food waste collections and the WEEE take back scheme.


CONSOLIDATED SERVICE Dobbies now has to communicate


with just one company, SWR, for all waste issues, meaning a great working


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relationship has developed between the two companies. A single contact significantly simplifies day-to-day operations for the teams right across Dobbies’, at each site and head office. SWR provide a range of scheduled collections, with the flexibility to adjust collections to meet seasonal fluctuations, as well as additional adhoc services as required, such as green waste skips. Garden Centres produce a wide range of waste streams and Dobbies is no exception, in a typical month SWR will collect; green waste, WEEE items, wood, glass, food, plastic, metal, batteries, cardboard, aggregate and general waste.


INVOICING AND COST


CONTROL The SWR model uses a fee agreement to reduce cost fluctuations. A straightforward invoicing system is greatly appreciated by Dobbies’ staff, and the system ensures complete cost transparency, essential for every business. A single invoice is an additional benefit of working with one supplier for all waste requirements.


WASTE SEGREGATION


AT SOURCE SWR identified that segregation could be improved by supplying sites with suitable containers and clear staff communication. SWR provide Dobbies with regular waste reports to monitor progress towards recycling targets and identify where further improvements can be made. The report breaks down monthly results by waste stream for each store, as well as providing overall summaries for the group and details on carbon savings.


WEEE CAGES As a retailer of electronic items Dobbies


is legally obliged to provide a ‘take back’ service for customers to return WEEE items to the store and then arrange safe disposal. SWR has installed lockable storage cages at each site with specialist collections. This not only complies with the legislation but also provides a useful service for Dobbies’ customers and a solution which is effective operationally.


FOOD WASTE


COLLECTIONS The phenomenal growth in the popularity of Dobbies’ restaurants has increased the volume of food waste produced by stores. Food waste is heavy and introducing food waste segregation and collections has avoided overweight charges. Food collected from the restaurants is taken to local anaerobic digestion plants where it is processed to generate gas used for heating and power.


“MANY RETAILERS ARE IMPACTED BY SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS.”


THE RESULTS On-site segregation of materials to


be recycled reached 66% in 2015 as a result of behavioural change in the stores, achieved through a combination of clear communication and the introduction of additional recycling containers. These levels would have been even higher but changes to TEEP regulations in January 2015 mean that hard plastic plant trays contaminated with soil are now treated as general waste and are segregated off site.


In 2015 94% of all Dobbies’ waste was diverted from landfill. There has been continuous improvement throughout SWR’s partnership with Dobbies, with steady increases in diversion rates from 91% in 2014 and 83% in 2013.


Food waste segregation has been introduced at selected sites and has been highly successful; extension of the scheme to additional stores is planned. With several stores in Scotland Dobbies was well prepared before the introduction of food waste legislation at the start of 2016.


The partnership between Dobbies and SWR has produced great results over the past few years and continues to adapt as the retail operation grows and faces new challenges.


www.swrwastemanagement.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 43


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