West End waste consolidation scheme enters latest phase

A project aimed at reducing the number of commercial waste collection vehicles operating in the West End of London is entering its second phase, with new contractors having been appointed.

Westminster city council and Paper Round will supply commercial waste collections to businesses in the Piccadilly and St James’s, and Leicester Square areas who are signed up to be a part of the West End Buyers Club.

The scheme aims to cut the number of waste vehicles travelling within the West End of London

The initiative, which is run by the Cross River Partnerhip is a preferred supplier scheme which aims to offer businesses a consolidated number of suppliers for services including office equipment, deliveries and waste collection.

Organisers claim that as many as 40 contractors currently provide waste services to businesses within the area, so by using the preferred supplier scheme vehicle movements could be drastically reduced.

The latest tranche of the project is being led by the Heart of London Business Alliance (BID), and seeks to reduce the number of “inefficient commercial waste collectors” operating within the area.

Heart of London Business Alliance represents 500 businesses and 100 property owners in the Piccadilly & St James’s and Leicester Square areas and supports the commercial wellbeing of the businesses and organisations.

Air quality

The BID has found that separate waste collectors add to “congestion and poor air quality, often using outdated fleets, and in addition adding to inconsistency in recycling performance”.

In March, the BID released its ‘Deliveries and Waste Plan 2017 — 2021’ which put forward a number of measures to make a ‘significant reduction’ in deliveries. These included consolidation and reducing visibility of commercial waste and development of a preferred suppliers scheme.

This week it was revealed that Westminster city council and Paper Round have been selected as the chosen providers based upon eight criteria, including credibility, locality, sustainability, commercial viability and safety.

Westminster city council cabinet member for environment, sport and community, Cllr David Harvey said: “Westminster suffers from some of the worst air pollution in the country with road transport contributing to over 50% of the most harmful emissions.

“Westminster city council has an important role to play in ensuring waste collection is as environmentally friendly as possible and we are working in partnership with the Heart of London Business Alliance and Cross River Partnership to make a difference and cut pollution.

“This scheme will improve commercial waste collection, cutting out unnecessary journeys and as a result, vehicle emissions. It will also improve business recycling performance, material quality and the public realm whilst providing value for money waste management services to BID members.”

Consolidation

Bill Swan, managing director of Paper Round, said: “Electric vehicles, hand deliveries and waste consolidation centres are just some of the innovative approaches we will use to help improve air quality for Heart of London.”

The New West End Company created the West End Buyers Club which promotes the three preferred suppliers — First Mile, Westminster Council, and Paper Round. The West End Buyers Club has been set up by Heart of London, New West End Company, Marble Arch London and Baker Street Quarter and is available to any business in the West End.