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In the current climate with local authorities being asked to save money in every way possible, a significant cost saving initiative is the promotion of home composting.
Straight plc, which manages the National Home Composting Framework, has commissioned research from Resource Futures into two key areas. Firstly, the future value provided by modest investments in home composting programmes and secondly into the general level of compost bin take-up to date. Both reports are available as a free download from the Straight plc website.
The research demonstrates that financial savings for local authorities associated with the provision of home composting bins are substantial. Although there are some uncertainties relating to future fuel costs, the status of separate food waste collections and Landfill Tax, the research shows that net savings for a local authority over a 'bin lifetime' of 15 years could be in the region of £190 per bin. Local authorities running a scheme in an area of 50,000 households with high bin distribution potential and providing a modest subsidy to the programme to improve up-take could expect savings of more than £600,000 over the lifetime of the bins.
"Of course, a trade-off exists between levels of bin uptake and the extent to which the public or the local authority pays for the bin," said Dr Julian Parfitt, Research and Technical Director at Resource Futures. "If a local authority subsidises the scheme more heavily, the initial costs are higher, but then the take-up will also be higher."
"In reality, no matter how the local authority approaches this trade-off, according to our research the financial benefits are clear to see. The overwhelming savings made from avoided landfill costs and gate fees outweigh any promotion, distribution or bin subsidy costs within just five years, showing there to be a clear financial case for local authorities to continue the promotion of home composting across the UK."
Following several years of heavy promotion of home compost bins by WRAP there have been suggestions that the market for home compost bins is saturated. A further report from Resource Futures investigates this claim by considering factors that influence the uptake of home-composting bins such as the presence of charged garden waste collection services, age group and home composting participation rates to predict the potential for additional home composting bin distribution across England.
Results show there are still extensive areas with a lot of immediate un-tapped potential for home composting in terms of meeting the demand for home composting bins amongst new recruits and also those households that are already composting at home. Indeed, the statistical model presented in the report offers strong evidence that the market for home composting bins, is far from saturated, particularly considering that the methodology applied is a conservative one. Even those areas that have already pushed home composting can still do more.
"It has been suggested that the home composting market is 'saturated' at 35% of households with gardens participating", added Dr Julian Parfitt, "but there is no reason why a local authority that has achieved this level of participation shouldn't now be pushing towards 45% or 50%. Home composting remains the most cost-effective way for dealing with garden waste and householders that are willing to compost at home should be given every encouragement to get involved and to remain involved."
Chief Executive of Straight plc, Jonathan Straight commented,"This research demonstrates two very powerful points which are of particular interest from a cost-saving perspective. The market is not saturated, meaning that investment in home composting continues to be worthwhile, and modest investments in home composting offer a rapid payback and ongoing return. Investing in home composting generates significant value for money."
"With a National Framework now in place, local authorities have a wide choice of compost bins and can utilise our extensive expertise in promoting and running various types of programme," he added.
Straight plc is working with Yorkshire Cancer Research by reviving the iconic 1960's characters the Clangers as a way of promoting home composting and raising much needed funds for the fight against cancer.
Launched in 1969, the Clangers are distinctive, long-nosed, mouse-shaped aliens who speak to each other in high pitched whistles. Although they have not been on our screens for some years, they remain part of popular culture and are fondly remembered. Straight has recently been awarded sole supplier status on a national framework for the supply of home compost bins to local authorities around the UK and will donate 10p from the sale of every compost bin to the charity. It is hoped that at least £10,000 per year can be raised this way for the charity over the next two years. The Clangers, created by the late Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, perfectly tie in with Straight because they are experts in recycling all manner of useful materials.
"Because the Clangers were particularly aware of their environment and were early recyclers, they are perfectly suited to helping with our home composting campaigns," said Chief Executive Jonathan Straight. "The Clangers imagery will appear on promotional leaflets and the dedicated retail websites set up for the council campaigns."
Clair Chadwick, Head of Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research said, "We are delighted that Straight plc has chosen Yorkshire Cancer Research as one of its charity partners for 2010 and we look forward to seeing the Clangers spread their appeal far and wide as they do their bit towards helping us to fund vital research into the causes and cures of cancer."
Straight plc, the environmental products and services group, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the business and certain assets relating to the UK manufacturing operations of Helesi plc. Customers should expect business as usual going forward.
Until recently, Helesi manufactured 2-wheeled bins in Bradford. The moulding machinery and several bin moulds will now transfer to one of Straight's main moulding partners allowing UK production to recommence within the next few weeks.
The Group will begin selling the products directly to its wide customer base and will assume Helesi's position supplying the UK and Irish markets, as well as taking over existing customer contracts and supply agreements. From March 2010, the range of two-wheeled bins will be jointly branded 'Straight' and 'Helesi'.
As part of the agreement, Straight has entered into a strategic alliance with Helesi under which it will become the exclusive UK and Irish distributor and licensee for Helesi plastic 4-wheeled bins and other products. Straight will also have the right of first refusal to import and distribute any new products developed by Helesi.
Despite holding a 10-15% share of the UK wheeled bin market, Straight has never had a proprietary product. Straight believes that the addition of this proprietary wheeled bin range will significantly strengthen its position in its core markets.
Welcoming the news, Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive of Straight plc said,"We have been a distributor of Helesi products in the UK for a number of years and our customers have always been very satisfied with their high quality. We are delighted that we are now able to service these markets with a proprietary product, manufactured locally and in line with our proven business model which prides itself on quality, innovation and market leadership."
Chief Executive of Helesi, Sakis Andrianopoulos said, "This transaction represents a natural development of our European growth strategy and we look forward to working with Straight to develop our activities in the UK."
Straight has further strengthened its operational function with the appointment of Paul Corscadden as Technical Operations Manager.
Paul has more than 10 years senior management experience in the plastics sector through previous roles at Polynorm Plastics, CML Group Ltd and more recently Craemer UK as Operations Manager, where he was responsible for the development of its Telford wheeled bin business.
In addition to his operational strengths, Paul also brings with him a strong technical background, having been awarded a Ph. D. from The University of Liverpool.
Paul will report directly to Mark Halford, Operations Director at Straight and will oversee the day to day running of the Operations department, bringing together the Production, Logistics and Inventory operations of Straight's trade business. Paul will also assume responsibility for a number of development projects, as well as providing support to both the New Product Development and Quality functions.
Mark Halford says, "Paul brings a wealth of technical expertise and knowledge to the company and will provide a valuable contribution to the operational function. Paul's appointment will provide a more defined structure to the operations department enabling a more efficient and planned approach to be applied. We are delighted to be welcoming Paul to the company and wish him every success in his new role."
Paul Corscadden comments, "I'm delighted to be joining Straight during this period of development and significant growth. I am particularly excited about working with the New Product Development team and helping contribute to the innovative products and ideas that they bring to market."
Paul Corscadden adds, "It is a challenge for me to move from a factory based environment and I am looking forward to putting my plastics and operational expertise to work and developing relationships with our key suppliers and customers."
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