FCC Environment Sustainability Report 2020 2 FCC Sustainability Report 2020

Welcome to FCC Environment from waste to resource

United Nations sustainable development goals

The United Nations has adopted 17 global goals to build a better world by 2030. Together with our employees, customers and partners, we are contributing to many of the goals, from clean energy to sustainable cities and climate action. Front cover Gemma Green Buckinghamshire Waste Awareness & Education Manager

This page Alan Shayler Banksman at Bletchley

Foreword Paul Taylor Chief Executive Officer FCC Environment UK

Last year will go down in history as a state of Our achievements show a robust, adaptable emergency not seen since the last war, and business, but the underlying story is all I would like to thank every one of the staff about our people. While Key Worker status that makes up FCC Environment for helping enabled us to keep vital services running, to deliver essential services at a time of our staff were under enormous pressure to national crisis. ensure the safety of colleagues, members of the public and other businesses. They As a business, we have not just stayed responded by adapting, supporting each afloat; we have progressed. Despite tough other and displaying a strength of spirit that conditions, we triumphed in the prestigious has been rewarded by a huge outpouring of British Safety Council International Safety goodwill from the public. Award 2020. We mobilised collection operations in Central Bedfordshire and FCC Environment has always thrived thanks HWRC management in Kent, and also to the strength of its people. In 2020, this formed a new partnership with iCon, to has done us proud, and we look forward to invest into our energy business and the 2021 knowing we are hardy, flexible, and formation of Green Recovery Projects. prepared.

United Nations sustainable development goals

Who We Are and What We Do

After an unprecedented year of change for us all, living through a global pandemic, our sector has now been given Key Worker status, with the value we deliver to society widely recognised by the public and politicians alike. land FCC Environment is a modern, Our vision is to create development progressive company that sustainable, carbon-neutral prides itself on innovation. We communities. Our portfolio focus on UK infrastructure and of strategic brownfield land match steady growth with a holdings can play a significant commitment to employees that role that will unlock land for has been rewarded with multiple development, create jobs and awards. boost productivity, while also Business & Recycling Green Energy Waste Processing Land Development promoting economic growth. Municipal Services Our award-winning Our energy recovery We provide a fully- Our vision is to create As the UK prepares to FCC Environment provides a household waste recycling capacity continues to grow, comprehensive service sustainable, carbon-neutral revolutionise the way it While contract wins make wide range of environmental centres and materials helping to keep Britain’s to all our customers, communities. At the heart recycles with the adoption of the headlines, the seamless services across the UK and recovery facilities provide lights on without costing managing complex and of this process is the DEFRA’s Resources and Waste running of day-to-day delivers a superb level of the highest quality materials the earth. The heat and hazardous waste streams need to build on effective Strategy, we are preparing for operations is a testament to the service to both business and for reprocessing into new electricity generated by our as well as providing advice partnerships – in close change. Our diverse range of professionalism of our teams local authority customers. products. Our food waste facilities replaces the need on compliance, waste liaison with the community – infrastructure continues to grow, on the ground. We look to the Our facilities manage collections provide valuable for fossil fuels and imported reduction and circular to respond to housing enabling us to extract maximum future, encouraging apprentices commercial, industrial, green energy and return energy, while providing economy opportunities. needs, and create value from waste that cannot and young people to learn municipal and third party nutrients to British farmland, a safe and sustainable Our customers value our employment, training and be recycled. Increasingly, with us, as we thrive from their waste, ensuring consistent supporting a restorative, disposal route for non- cost-effective, trouble-free education opportunities, our contracts include new enthusiasm and fresh ideas. As throughput and a thriving circular economy. recyclable wastes. and dependable service. all within sustainable ways to add value – reuse and our staff take care of collections business model. developments. community initiatives feature and sites, our industry-leading

highly on our agenda. We also health and safety programmes

actively participate in debate take care of staff.

and consultation around future policy.

The Environment Bill Tackling waste Devolved The Political crime and enforcing administrations When passed, the Environment Bill will introduce a number of regulation Landscape significant pieces of legislation, including the Deposit Return Scheme The Scottish Government has committed (DRS), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging Waste, to becoming a zero-waste society Legislative and economic The waste management industry widely consistent recycling collections, and the implementation of the acknowledges that greater resources are with a circular economy. 2025 will see drivers encourage Office for Environmental Protection. needed to tackle waste crime. the introduction of ambitious targets, investment in infrastructure including the reduction of total waste It has been suggested that the Bill will receive Royal Assent in the While some progress has been made, the across Scotland by 15% of 2011 levels. and market growth. As we autumn, around the time of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference last year saw an increase in fly-tipping, Food waste will also be reduced by 33% of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. emerge from the lockdowns as the number of enforcement actions against 2013 levels, with 70% of remaining of the last year, we will begin dropped. The industry should be calling waste recycled. to navigate the human and for additional, ringfenced resources and Resources and Waste Strategy tougher enforcement as soon as possible, In Wales, the planned waste and resources economic impact. In the strategy will see the introduction of In 2018, the government published its Resources and Waste Strategy especially in advance of changes like the meantime, proposed new business waste regulations in 2021, for England – a 25-year plan for the sector to eliminate avoidable DRS, which has the potential to be targeted followed by the UK’s new extended legislation will have a major waste of all kinds by 2050. While the government remains committed by serious, organised criminals. producer responsibility system for impact on the activities of to the strategy, there is not scheduled to be a review and revision packaging waste coming into force in our sector. until late 2023 or early 2024. 2023. Under Welsh plans for a circular economy, 2025 targets call for a 50% Net zero reduction in avoidable food waste, and a 70% household, municipal and industrial Environment is a key priority for this government, and every sector recycling rate. Both Scotland and Wales is expected to demonstrate its commitment to reaching the 2050 will hold elections in May 2021. net zero target quickly. While the waste sector has nearly halved 78% its carbon emissions since 2008, work is still needed to reach the While the waste sector has government target of a 78% cut by 2035. After a year of necessary operational change to allow nearly halved its carbon us to cope with the challenges of COVID-19, our sector emissions since 2008, work is moving towards a period of extensive policy change. is still needed to reach the government target of a 78% The outcomes will drive the future of our industry cut by 2035 for decades to come. FCC Environment is actively engaged with government and other stakeholders to shape these changes and ensure that they really deliver a more resource-efficient UK. As a business, we stand ready to step up to the challenges ahead.”

Julie Fourcade Head of External Affairs, FCC Environment

The race to net zero To further drive the journey Eastcroft to net zero, as a sector we district heating Climate change is placing a devastating effect on are setting challenging Eastcroft Energy from Waste facility is at the our world. Over the last two decades, we have seen targets: centre of the Nottingham District Heating a dramatic increase in climate-related disasters Scheme. It produces heat and power for such as floods and heatwaves and, unless we act • All on-site fuels for recycling, transfer local users, combusting up to 200,000 fast, the rate of occurrence will only speed up. stations, MRFs, composting, AD, and EfW tonnes of non-hazardous waste each year facilities to be replaced with 100% and generating 20 megawatts of energy. renewable sources by 2040 Combined, Eastcroft supplies heat and The government has set a clear Our sector manages • Divert all organic waste from landfill by hot water to 4,700 homes and over 100 commitment to achieve net zero by around 221 million tonnes 2030 to recycling and energy production businesses – as well as diverting 4 million 2050, and is calling on industry to show through composting, AD and EfW tonnes of waste from landfill and reducing significant progress by reducing UK of waste each year, with Nottingham’s reliance on fossil fuels. • Increase capture of methane emissions emissions by 68% by 2030. 45.5% recycled each year. On average: from landfill to 85% by 2030 and 30% Our sector’s efforts to move material oxidation by 2050 further up the waste hierarchy have helped the UK to reduce the greenhouse • All waste transport vehicles to switch from gas emissions associated with waste 9,964kg diesel to low-carbon sources and to be management by 74% since 1990, delivering net-zero emissions by 2040 4,700 the fastest reduction in emissions across Each tonne of aluminium • All on-site vehicles at transfer stations to the UK economy. Eastcroft supplies heat recycled saves 9,964kg switch from diesel to low-carbon sources and hot water to 4,700 However, despite almost halving our and to be net zero emissions by 2040 of emitted CO2e3 homes and over 100 carbon emissions since 2008, waste businesses management still contributes 5% of • Start fitting carbon capture and storage greenhouse gases. (CCS) to EfW facilities in 2030, with all new plants fitted with CCS by 2040 The greatest challenge for our sector is 5,828kg Waste management will play a key role in our that most of the benefits of our actions One tonne of textile waste are accounted for elsewhere in the supply journey to net zero. Our role is to effect change chain. For example, while the impacts recycled saves 5,828kg where possible, while also collaborating with partners and members of the public to help of the collection and sorting of waste of emitted CO2e3 are attributed to our sector, the benefits them meet their own net zero goals. of reuse and the value of the secondary materials produced are felt elsewhere.

Welcome CEO Foreword Who We Are FCC in Numbers Highlights and Environmental People Focus Doing the Right Thing Forward Thinking Get in Touch and What We Do Investments Commitment 7 FCC Sustainability Report 2020 280 1.3m 100 6,000 UK sites, of We collect waste and Over 100 major Business waste which 166 are recycling from 1.3 contracts with a customers operational million people in the UK total of 60 local authorities FCC Environment In Numbers

We are one of the UK’s most trusted 3,500 4,000 7 resource and waste management Customer accounts Customer sites PFI and PPP contracts (Wrexham, re3, businesses. We hold over 100 contracts Lincolnshire, Mercia, with some 60 local authorities up and Buckinghamshire, Allington, Edinburgh down the country, recycling more than and Midlothian) 1.8 million tonnes of waste each year.” 2,325 Employees

885k 117mw We recycle 885,000 Our facilities generate tonnes of wastewater 117MW of green energy every year United Nations sustainable development goals 1.8m Tonnes of waste recycled in 2020

From my point of view, this is a real-life project with real-life clients, that is superb preparation for the workplace.”

Jon Saward Media Teacher, Suffolk New College Highlights The art & Investments of recycling Students studying media at Suffolk New relevant message in their own community. College have helped to design an effective On the other hand, it helped FCC 2020: Exceptional challenges, recycling initiative to raise awareness of Environment to better understand the rubbish disposal issues. communities, their needs, and how to outstanding response appeal to them. The brief allowed the students to use their creativity across a range of media, The students pitched their projects to FCC At FCC Environment, we already we still managed to celebrate, winning to support the outreach work of FCC Environment for use on its social media understand the importance of the work our industry awards and working in Environment and encourage people to channels. Following the success of this teams are doing and the challenges they collaboration with our communities on recycle. project, FCC Environment is looking to face, and we are extremely proud of their education projects, reuse schemes and challenge art students at the same college ingenuity, commitment and hard work. In innovative problem solving. If we’ve learnt The opportunity was viewed as an excellent to create artwork from recycled items for an 2020, the wider community embraced the anything through lockdown and COVID-19 one by both sides – it allowed the young exhibition. idea of waste operatives as key workers, restrictions, it is that neither our business, adults to demonstrate their skills in a giving them the recognition they richly or our staff, stand still – we are always professional environment and, potentially, deserve. looking for ways to benefit our community. use them to help send a powerful, very

While most of the year was all hands on deck to keep working around COVID-19,

United Nations sustainable development goals

Below: Student artwork from Suffolk New College

A big thank you to the Covid Resilience communities On 23 March 2020, the UK paused. While we While our staff were vigilant in safeguarding we serve started to adjust to the restrictions placed the public, as a business our focus remained on daily life to keep us safe, the waste firmly on the wellbeing of our employees. management sector ploughed on. Many people faced understandable concerns around school closures and Even in a pandemic, household waste is the impact of shielding, and we did all we generated, so we needed to work quickly could to support staff. Those who could to ensure that waste collections continued work from home were encouraged to do in a safe, effective way. Our staff received so; meanwhile, we followed all available Key Worker status and, in challenging guidance to ensure that our work spaces circumstances, kept the movement and were COVID-19-safe. recycling of materials flowing. With restrictions lifting over the coming Through the following lockdowns, FCC months, we remain hopeful that each stage teams up and down the country maintained will be successful. Public recognition of our a professional service and helped people has been heart-warming and, as we communities to keep going. We supported start to emerge back into a more normal life, local authority partners to manage waste we would like to say a big thank you to the and recycling, and to keep the public safe communities we serve. once household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) began to reopen.

300,000 Contract wins The plant will process 300,000 tonnes of non-recyclable Kent County Drumgrey waste each year Council

Kent County Council has awarded FCC Energy from Environment a contract for the management and operation of the household waste Waste 25.5m recycling sites (HWRCs) in the Mid and East FCC Environment is also developing an Kent areas. The £40 million contract will run Greengairs will potentially Energy from Waste (EfW) facility on the for an initial five years, with a view to extend export 25,500,000W of electricity Greengairs landfill site in North Lanarkshire, the contract by a further five years. It will aim a year, and supply heating to Scotland. The plant will process 300,000 to improve the recycling rates in the area. tonnes of non-recyclable waste each the surrounding areas year, potentially exporting 25,500,000W of electricity and supplying heating to the surrounding areas. The multi-million- With 3.5 million visits pound, state-of-the-art facility will generate hundreds of jobs through its construction to our sites every year, and long-term operation. this is an important service for Kent residents and a major contract for Kent County Council. I welcome the opportunity to work with FCC to improve recycling rates as part of our net zero ambition for Kent.”

Susan Carey Cabinet Member for Environment

APSE Best Service Team Industry awards re3cyclopedia ‘The most detailed recycling tool in the UK’ Congratulations Best Local National to East Riding Authority Recycling Recycling Awards of Yorkshire! Initiative Shortlist FCC Environment congratulated East Lets Recycle Riding of Yorkshire Council for being Awards for awarded Best Service Team for the Winning team re3 Excellence Delivery of a Waste Management 2020 and Recycling Service by APSE, The Lets Recycle Awards for Excellence 2020 partnership highly the Association for Public Service awarded Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative commended Excellence. On behalf of East Riding of of the Year to Torfaen County Borough Council, East The re3 partnership of FCC environment, Bracknell Yorkshire, FCC operates 10 household FCC Environment, and local recycling company Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils waste and recycling centres, three Capital Valley Plastics. Their innovative recycling Northamptonshire was shortlisted in an impressive four categories at transfer loading stations and the campaign to halt the growth of plastic pollution this year’s National Recycling Awards. Longshot COVID-19 response residual waste processing contract saw low-density polyethylene packaging Lane and Smallmead sites were both finalists within the area. collected, separated, and then reprocessed East Northamptonshire Council and FCC Environment were also in Best Recycling Facility of the Year, while the into damp-proof membranes for use within the shortlisted in the 2020 Lets Recycle Awards for Excellence in the ground-breaking ‘re3cyclopedia’ app – which has construction industry. category of Individual or Team Contribution in Response to the been dubbed ‘the most detailed recycling tool in Coronavirus Pandemic. the UK’ – was in the running for Local Authority Success and Innovation Technology. 10 Household waste and recycling centres We are delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award, which reflects both our partnership with East Northamptonshire and the 3 Transfer loading dedication and efforts shown stations during lockdown to support the local community and spread some sunshine for people during these difficult times.” 1 Residual waste Ian Mortimer processing contract Contract Manager, FCC Environment

Right: Key workers were rewarded by Wychavon District Council Far right: Archer’s 276cm sunflower

Case study News in Brief

Safety first – Eggsellent idea! Flower power When a 70-strong crew of FCC The winner of FCC Environment and East just add water Environment key workers was rewarded by Northamptonshire Council’s sunflower the Wychavon District Council Waste and competition was two-year-old Archer, Richard Moss, Operations Grounds Recycling team for their continued hard whose flower grew to a monstrous Supervisor at our Market Harborough work with the gift of an Easter egg this year, 276cm. The aim of the ‘Lets Spread Some collections site, has engineered a plan to the crew generously chose to donate their Sunshine’ campaign was to bring the save up to 52,000 litres of water a year. gifts to the children’s ward at Worcester community together by inviting children to Rainwater that would often run into the yard, Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice. create colourful pictures for their local bin creating an unsafe environment, is now being and street cleaning crews. In return, they collected in water tanks that will be used to “We were really touched to receive a were given sunflower seeds to grow as part maintain the facilities, as well as supplying chocolate thank you from our council of a sunny summer competition. the local community. For potentially client today, but I was really moved when benefitting the safety of employees, the the team decided to pass them on. finances of the company and, ultimately, the The eggs have been delivered and we environment, Richard Moss is a deserving hope the children enjoy them.” winner of our Environmental Commitment award. “Paul Farmer Contract Manager FCC Environment

Below: Eight-year-old Frank Forster and You name it the brand-new truck bearing his name

When 34 new waste and recycling trucks were commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council as part of a new contract with FCC Environment, a competition was held to name the vehicles. Richard Moss One eight-year-old with a passion for Operations Grounds rubbish and recycling caught the eye of Supervisor, FCC Environment the council through his waste-based YouTube channel. Frank Forster had one of the most unforgettable Thursday mornings of his life when one of the brand-new trucks arrived on his street bearing the name: the FRANK FORSTER!

News in Brief On the box

FCC Environment’s EfW facility in Eastcroft, Nottinghamshire Clean Air Day was recently featured in a Channel 5 documentary entitled The Secret World of Your Rubbish. Episode 3, Season 2 of Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution the popular series revealed the inner workings of the facility campaign, celebrated on 8 October. For and our shift plant operator Alan Palmer and weighbridge 2020, FCC Environment asked its staff operator Paul Brown received starring roles. The plant is one to commit to doing one thing for a week of six of its kind operated in the UK by FCC Environment, that would have a positive impact on the 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. environment and the air quality around us. Staff responded by going meat-free, walking or cycling to work, or even doing the washing on a lower temperature.

MP visit to Eastcroft Below: Shift Plant Operator, The EfW plant in Eastcroft was also visited Alan Palmer, from Eastcroft EfW by a member of parliament in late February of 2020. Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood visited the green energy facility Case study to see up-close how electricity and heat for the local area are generated from FCC Environment joins household waste. national fight against ‘zombie batteries’

FCC Environment is supporting the nationwide Take Charge campaign, which urges consumers to recycle dead batteries properly by using specialist battery recycling services. FCC Environment and its local partners are asking residents not to throw disposable batteries away with general waste, as this can cause fires if the batteries are damaged. Instead, they should take them to their local collection points – often in supermarkets or local household waste recycling centres. The campaign is the result of Environmental Services Association (ESA) reports that over a third (38%) of fires at its members’ facilities were caused by lithium-ion batteries alone.

Importantly, reuse HWRC reuse gets public One tonne moves waste up the seal of approval waste hierarchy. But FCC Environment and YouGov research suggests of books! it also brings social that the public would be keen to buy second-hand FCC Environment and Wigan Council value, and carbon and items such as garden objects, furniture, and other have celebrated World Book Day by household items from household waste recycling community benefits. redistributing one tonne of recycled centres (HWRCs). FCC currently operates nine reuse books within the local community. People visit our reuse shops at HWRCs across the country, working with The partnership introduced the shops because they charity and local authority partners. initiative less than a year ago, to reuse like a bargain, or “Many councils have declared climate unwanted books rather than recycle due to their personal emergencies, acknowledging their need to act and process them. Unwanted books on the causes and impacts of climate change in are collected at the local recycling circumstances. But, their bid to help meet net zero targets. More reuse centres by FCC Environment and are whatever the reason, shops at HWRCs – similar to those already working then distributed to groups such as we know that providing successfully across the country selling goods, schools, charities, and other groups from everyday items to the extraordinary – can be within the community. this service is the right one more step in the right direction.” thing to do.” Steve Longdon Operational Director, FCC Environment

Tools for green-

FCC Environment hosts nine reuse shops fell from 3,238 tonnes in 2019, to 1,601 fingered communities across the country. Located in, or close tonnes last year. At a time when many Wigan recycling centres are taking being green to to, household waste recycling centres people needed more support, resources a whole new level, encouraging local residents to (HWRCs), these were particularly hard-hit were slashed. And with storage space donate unwanted garden tools to worthy causes. when lockdown arrived. But, despite being limited, valuable items were consigned to The Tool Shed Project sends the tools to Garth open for only seven months in 2020, they the waste stream. Prison near Leyland, where inmates are taught have bounced back and are now doing However, many charities took an innovative how to refurbish them, giving them skills they can even better than ever. approach and found new ways to trade. use in the future. The tools are then donated to Let’s Our reuse shops are managed by charities. Some offered click and collect services, primary schools, gardening groups and allotment For organisations that rely on the income while others sold higher-quality goods associations in the local area, helping to make celebrate generated by sales to help others, the online. Now that shops have re-opened, our gardening accessible to everyone in the community. World Book impact of COVID-19 was devastating. sites are the busiest they have ever been! Day Reuse through our shops and other sources

In 2020, we were pleased to report FCC Environment brand value CO2 Environmental Commitment that our carbon avoidance level

Reduced carbon emissions by 232,936 tonnes CO2e in 2020 outstripped our carbon emissions. Environmental ... that’s 12% since 2019 Commitment 100% of sites certified to ISO50001 Planted 33,775 trees

117MW of renewable energy generated by our EfW plants

Carbon reporting ... enough to power over 234,000 households... Over the past two decades, the resource In addition, we intend to report our avoided ... equivilant to a town the size of Blackpool! and waste management sector has almost GHG emissions. Our challenge in waste We’re being supplied with wind, hydro and solar... halved its carbon and greenhouse gas management is that while the emissions emissions, and we continue to collaborate savings achieved by our energy and ... zero carbon electricity – 100% renewable on the journey to net zero. material recovery operations far exceed our direct and indirect emissions, these savings In 2020, the Environmental Services are recorded elsewhere in the supply chain. Association (ESA) commissioned an 1.8 million tones of waste recycled 240ha of energy crops grown on our landfills independent review to decide on the most This demonstrates the already significant effective methodology for greenhouse gas contribution we play in reducing emissions, (GHG) accounting – the first step towards and highlights the critical role that our a framework for the delivery of transparent sector will play in achieving a net zero Achieved 19% reduction in emissions since 2018 and verifiable GHG emission reductions. United Kingdom.

FCC Environment will continue to use the Paul Stokes Dip2.OSH, CMIOSH, MIIRSM chosen methodology moving forward. Head of Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ) Carbon emissions

Tonnes CO2e 2018 2019 2020

Total Scope 1, 2 & 3 2,124,702 1,946,419 1,713,483

United Nations Avoided emissions -2,092,772 -2,080,422 -2,124,112 sustainable development goals

Reporting period covered: 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2020 Scope 1 emissions: Direct GHG emissions from landfill activities, the combustion of waste and fuel in energy from waste facilities and fuel by our fleet. Scope 2 emissions: Indirect GHG emissions from purchased grid electricity. Scope 3 emissions: Indirect GHG emissions predominantly from business travel.

Land remediation 10,000 seeds Land Development blooming

Collaborative, carbon-neutral Land remediation is an important tool in our commitment to In September, FCC Environment communities building more sustainable communities. celebrated its 10,000 LinkedIn followers with a floral tribute – As well as providing wildlife habitats and helping our partners to planting 10,000 wildflower seeds meet climate change goals, we also provide local communities at its closed landfill site at Pen Y with enriching green spaces that will benefit generations to come. Bont, north Wales. A team of 10 volunteers gave up their Saturday to plant the seeds. Senior Bid Writer Darren Forster said: “It is a great 1,000 trees for feeling knowing that our hard work means this area now becomes a the future better habitat for wildlife and helps to encourage it into the local area.” In Chorley, FCC Environment has planted a forest of native trees, including hazel, willow, birch and oak, as part of Chorley Council’s plans to tackle climate change. The trees, which flank the River Yarrow, will help to improve biodiversity and air quality, as well as Contaminated providing shade to water courses. soil treatment

“We are thrilled to be working with FCC Environment to get This summer saw the opening of a FCC Environment is more than a As a global business, we It’s not enough to simply more trees planted in the borough. This is another milestone new contaminated soils treatment facility at Maw Green Landfill Site. landowner. Our unique portfolio of have extensive experience of build homes; our agenda on our journey towards planting 116,000 trees in the borough recycling infrastructure, renewable housebuilding. Working locally in by 2025 – one for every Chorley resident – and part of our The plant will process up to 30,000 energy facilities and strategic the UK, community will be at the is to create jobs, deliver commitment to become carbon-neutral.” tonnes of contaminated soils per brownfield land holdings, which all heart of all our decision-making. We attractive public spaces, year, treating them for future use in Cllr Alistair Bradley place communities at the centre will maximise the use of recycled restoring the currently operational contribute to schools Leader of Chorley Council of development, give us a rare materials in our land holdings, and healthcare. landfill site. opportunity. suppling clean, green district heating to homes and businesses. We will do more to Our ambition – cemented into our protect and enhance strategy – is to enable carbon- Our aim is to do things differently. the environment, deliver neutral communities that exceed We manage our construction UK government plans, and meet projects to build communities with affordable, clean energy, the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable a unique focus on sustainability. promote good health, Development Goals – the gold and reduce inequality.” standard for sustainable economic development.

Land remediation Construction industry cuts carbon at Cricklewood Landfill restoration creates specialised FCC Environment’s new facility in The new site operates from DB Cargo Operated in partnership between habitat Cricklewood adds to its capacity to UK’s new rail freight terminal. It will DB Cargo UK and FCC Environment, 250kt reduce carbon, while also reusing allow FCC Environment to serve the the terminal will receive up to FCC Environment’s landfill restoration project Operated in partnership waste soil from major construction North and West London markets, 250kt a year, with the potential to is providing specially-designed homes for projects. both of which have seen an increase increase this to 500kt annually. From one of the most threatened species in the UK. between DB Cargo UK in construction projects – most Cricklewood, the spoil will be taken Cricklewood joins two established and FCC Environment, the notably HS2 and the redevelopment by freight train to FCC Environment’s Water voles are a priority for conservation rail freight terminals at Bow and of Euston Station. Sending the spoil site at Calvert, Buckinghamshire, and action, and their places of shelter are terminal will receive up Barking, which serve the East London on 1,400-1,500-tonne capacity reused to restore the former quarry protected. As part of its long-term to 250kt a year, with the and City construction markets, freight trains will remove the need for there. Cricklewood will also stock development at Greengairs Landfill site in potential to increase this to between them handling 500-600kt more than 80 HGVs. aggregates on site, allowing clients Lanarkshire, FCC has relocated water voles per annum. Most importantly, 500kt annually. to ‘backload’ when delivering spoil into a number of waterbodies around the transporting waste material by at the facility, and further helping to site’s periphery and into a fully-engineered, rail will help to reduce the volume reduce the number of journeys made bespoke habitat. of heavy goods vehicles on the by HGVs through the capital. The purpose-built habitat features water country’s roads, cutting carbon and banks, which allow the voles sufficient soft reducing levels of pollution. ground for burrowing, and includes open water channels to give the voles quick access to food.

Our new facility at Cricklewood is of strategic importance to London’s construction sector and will remove thousands of HGVs from London’s already congested road network every year.”

Andrew Sumner Head of Industrial Sales, DB Cargo UK

FCC Environment brand value She is a lovely, People Focus Birthday wishes for ‘best bin really hard- woman’ grafting girl with

People Northamptonshire’s ‘best bin woman’ received a smile as wide as plaudits throughout the day as she spent her birthday collecting household waste in Rushden and Ferrers. Northamptonshire!” Tia Wills was praised for being a positive force Focus John Woolston throughout the pandemic, and hundreds of local Northamptonshire resident residents flocked to wish her happy birthday and Teamwork leads to highest accolade thank the team for all their hard work and positivity through what has been a difficult time for all. For all our high-tech equipment and Our latest employment surveys reflect innovative technology, our people are our dedication to the wellbeing of our our strength. In a high-risk industry, we staff. Support is important, but we like are hugely proud of our achievements in to go further. Our people feel part of a keeping staff safe, particularly through the team, and are confident that their voice is challenges that 2020 threw our way. heard. In a year when we have all felt, to greater or lesser degree, isolated, this is an Our headline news was the receipt of the admirable testament to every individual in British Safety Council’s prestigious Sword the business. and Globe of Honour. Only the very best reach this level, and we are fully aware of the commitment made by the whole team, which led to us joining the ranks for the second time in four years.

United Nations sustainable development goals

These incredible results do not happen overnight; they are the result of 10 Health and Safety years of hard work. COVID-19 challenges Paul Stokes Sword of Honour Group Head of SHEQ, FCC Environment As well as the standard disruption wreaked The peak of by COVID-19, the waste management sector faced exceptional challenges. How would health and safety we keep members of the public safe, while also safeguarding the staff who remained achievement committed to providing a service? The British Safety Council Sword and Globe of Honour The Five Star Audit process showed that awards celebrate and reward those organisations we train our own employees well, but we that have reached the pinnacle of health, safety and responded to COVID-19 swiftly by developing Future plans Achievements even more robust procedures to protect the environmental management. Only those organisations We check and benchmark that our ongoing public at HWRCs or near refuse vehicles. which achieve the top grade in their Five Star Audit are improvements are in line with best practice March invited to apply. In 2020, FCC Environment joined their from around the world. Plans for the future British Safety Council ranks for the second time in four years. include the introduction of a wellbeing International Award (with distinction) Five Star Audit programme for the whole company. We Top 15% In 2020, FCC Environment decided to submit want our employees to know that it is alright “These results are testimony an application to undertake the Five Star Audit not to be alright, and that help is available to the dedication of all within again. And then, COVID-19 struck. should they need it. June Overall Sector Winner FCC Environment, and the The audit examined both head office functions “These incredible results do not happen overnight; they are the result of 10 Local Government, British Safety Council extraordinary efforts, time and and sites across the UK, including detailed International Safety Awards auditing of management systems: years of hard work. Achieving the Five trouble that we put ourselves Star rating is a great reflection of the • ISO 9001 dedication of all the FCC teams across November through to achieve such • ISO 14001 the country and shows that our operators 5-star rating • ISO 45001 results, especially through have really raised the bar during the British Safety Council Five-Star Audit this challenging year.” • ISO 50001 pandemic. The award is a testament to Conducting a head office audit virtually the professional attitude and mature was challenging. To overcome this, we built approach to health and safety from each December a document repository that aligned with and every one.” Sword of Honour the audit criteria to make it easy to find the necessary evidence.

Employment Survey Communication My manager At work, my opinions communicates with me seem to count: To feel valued, everyone needs to Opinions count How likely is it openly and honestly: know that their opinions are heard. 8.3 At FCC Environment, we aim to make our customers that you would Last year was an exceptional year 8.7 happy, by making sure our staff are happy. recommend FCC for all, and we were delighted to see that FCC staff feel strongly that their Environment as a opinions matter, and that managers We know that waste management is sometimes a challenging industry to take the time to communicate. work in – as well as meeting legislative requirements and remembering place to work? health and safety essentials, many of our operational staff also interact with the public. Collection rounds are physically demanding and COVID-19 has placed even greater challenges in our way. Teamwork I feel I am part of What was the best thing But we are resilient, and our latest Employment Survey clearly shows that 8.2 the team: that happened to you Our operational work relies on staff feel supported, valued and able to communicate. this month? strong teams to ensure safe 8.4 Our topline figures demonstrate overall satisfaction. working and effective results. “Engaging with my team Across the company, teamwork is regarding matters of health How satisfied are one of our key strengths. and safety.” you working at FCC “Being recognised officially Environment? for my teamwork by my line manager. Things like this Overall really make a difference.” satisfaction 8.2 Support My manager provides me I know what to do if with the support I need to I want to go on a training Our culture is based on supporting complete my work: course: members of staff, to learn, to grow, and to recuperate during occasional personal problems. 8.3 8.2 This year, the scores in each of these areas reflected our I feel I would be supported “Being able to work from commitment to being a caring if I had a personal home has helped with my employer that builds strong teams. problem: children being at home.” 8.6

Tackling Modern Day Slavery Stronger

The FCC Group is committed to ensuring Any concerns can be raised by contacting that there is no modern slavery or human our confidential hotline provider, Safecall. together trafficking in its supply chains or in any part And details of how and what to report are of its business. on posters at all our sites, and are available on the front page of our intranet. To ensure this, FCC undertook a comprehensive training programme for all Slavery and human trafficking is a growing its employees to ensure they were aware of problem and only by being vigilant as a the dangers, able to spot any incidences or company can we hope to tackle this. recognise anyone in a vulnerable position, and know what safeguarding procedures to take where necessary. All new employees undertake Anti-Slavery e-modules as part of their induction.

On 15 October 2020, FCC Environment Representatives from the waste and joined a parliamentary webinar on Tackling resources industry, including FCC Modern Day Slavery. Environment, highlighted the sector’s commitment to rooting out and preventing The former Prime Minster, the Rt Hon modern day slavery. Theresa May MP, who introduced legislation to crack down on slavery in 2015, Mrs May said it was vital to keep modern delivered the keynote speech at the Policy day slavery at the forefront of people’s Connect event. minds and reflected on the good progress that was being made by waste and Mrs May described how victims are used resource management companies to as a commodity to make a profit in the raise awareness, citing a refuse vehicle in same way as drugs and weapons. She Westminster displaying modern day slavery The FCC Group is committed to stressed that mere references to supply messages. ensuring that there is no human chain transparency and checks on modern day slavery in annual reports was not slavery or trafficking throughout enough, but that business leaders must ask its supply chains.” ‘what are we actually doing behind these statements, and are we really checking our supply chains?’.

Diversity In numbers and inclusion

The latest Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership analysis 18.1% 15.8% of waste industry statistics shows that diversity in many The percentage of people with a The percentage of women in the areas is increasing. disability increased from 4.2% to waste industry decreased by 0.6% to 18.1%, above the UK average of 15.7% reach 15.8% of the total workforce – Data for the period between 2016–2019 The UK waste industry employed further away from the UK average of shows that the percentage of people 144,800 people in 2019, a slight increase 47.3%. However, there was an with a disability, those over 60, and those from 142,000 in 2016. The top three increase of females in professional from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic occupational groups are elementary, and process, plant, and machine backgrounds is rising. operatives, and associate professional and operative roles technical employees. 6.9% The waste sector has an admirable The percentage of people from a record on the employment of people When the EUSP’s Workforce Renewal and Black, Asian or other minority ethnic with disabilities, boasting the highest Skills Strategy 2020-2025 was published background also climbed up 4.1% percentage of people with a disability in the last year, it identified an estimated 83,000 to 6.9%, getting closer to the UK sector. Meanwhile, the number of women vacancies that would need to be filled in average of 11.4%. The waste industry employed – already 31.5% lower than the the waste industry by 2029. This analysis had the second-highest percentage national average – has fallen slightly. breaks that number down by occupation. increase In the waste industry, the skilled trades occupations will have the most vacancies to fill – an estimated 32,000. 11.9% The percentage of people over 60 in the industry also increased to 11.9%, above the UK average of 10.4%. 1 44,800 In contrast, the percentage of people aged between 16-24 in the industry The UK waste industry Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership decreased to 5.2%, leaving a bigger employed 144,800 Data for the period between 2016 – 2019 gap between the industry and the UK people in 2019 average of 11.4%

Leading the way During Laura’s time on the Helping new scheme she has: Laura Winter Worked as a recycling talent to shine Before taking up her place on the graduate programme in operative 2019, Laura Winter confesses she had no idea how the waste Performed an admin role industry operated. She spent her first nine months on the Graduates bring talent and a fresh They challenge us, and have shown a real to see what goes on behind scheme working with the contract team in Ipswich, and has approach to our business. They are the commitment to supporting the business, the scenes managers of the future, and we give them especially throughout the challenges of since become a site supervisor at the Suffolk Transfer Station. every opportunity to shine. With FCC COVID-19. Being on the graduate programme has given her a chance to Helped the transport Environment, we encourage graduates learn different aspects from the ground up, discovering which manager and drivers to participate, and we take their ideas parts she enjoys most, with support every step of the way. develop up-to-date risk seriously. Streamlining processes assessments and safe working procedures As well as making sure that our graduates For 2020, we switched our assessment experience the ins and outs of a variety of process to a custom-built platform and The scheme allows you to lead your own Managed the installation used targeted advertising to attract roles, we also link them up with a mentor learning. There is a fantastic support system, of ANPR cameras onto all from the executive team. Buy-in from FCC applicants. The result was a higher standard 11 sites directors reinforces how much we invest than ever. Over 300 graduates applied to including training and induction, weekly in the graduates. When they present to the join us in 2021, with nine chosen from online meetings with all the graduates and the head Reduced paper usage, board, even our most senior members of assessment days and virtual interviews. of training, and also with previous graduates by helping to digitise our staff attend. operations The shortlisted applicants worked on still working within FCC. It’s been such a Our last intake of graduates – three women a group task, a solo presentation, and dynamic learning experience with lots of and two men – have all stayed with us. interviews with the management team. opportunities available!”

Gareth Williams Will Soul Konrad Wysocki Eleanor Peel Tanya Thrower Laura Winter BA Business Management & MSc BA Honours in History, BSc Geography & MSc Environmental BEng Chemical Engineering Internal Candidate BSc Geography Logistics & Supply Chain Management Masters in International Studies Policy & Management

FCC Environment brand value In addition to the grant Doing the Right Thing FCC Communities Foundation schemes (left) the Board may, at its discretion, invite national FCC Communities Foundation is a not for profit or large regional organisations to submit project details for business that awards grants to community, consideration through the environmental and heritage projects through Board’s flagship programme. Doing the In 2020, the Board approved the Landfill Communities Fund and the Scottish two grants to Flagship Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is donated projects, totalling £314,500. by FCC Environment as part of these voluntary All applications are appraised Right Thing environmental tax credit schemes to divert a small to ensure funding goes to percentage of landfill tax to projects in England projects which are compliant and Scotland. And FCC Communities Foundation with the relevant legislation Setting clear expectations for staff, meeting independent and deliver positive and targets and making a positive contribution to our local currently operate two main grant programmes: tangible outcomes for communities help us to stay strong and work sustainably. communities. FCC Community FCC Scottish In addition to the new projects funded during 2020, over Action Fund (CAF) Action Fund (SAF) 120 organisations managed to complete their projects Applicants in England can apply Applicants in Scotland can apply despite lockdowns and for funding of between £2,000 and for funding of between £2,000 and COVID-19 restrictions. £100,000, and the total project cost £40,000, and the total project cost You can read more about must not exceed £500,000. must not exceed £250,000. some of these projects over the following pages. 184 applicants applied for funding 35 applicants applied for funding during during 2020, and 111 projects were 2020, and 23 projects were awarded awarded funding totalling £5,222,705. funding totalling £658,947.

United Nations sustainable development goals

Landfill Communities Fund Projects 2020 —

Theatres and Museums £603,023 (7 grants) Community Buildings RSPB Snettisham £1,746,331 (41 grants) Storm resilient hide Children and FCC Flagship Young People’s Facilities £1,779,556 (31 grants) Funding £173,500

RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve in The RSPB faced the challenge of and the need to cease work during West Norfolk overlooks The Wash, designing and building a flood- ground nesting season, but the hide one of Europe’s largest and most resilient hide that could accommodate was finally completed in June 2020. wildlife-rich habitats. Every year, approximately 80 people, and that The opening of the hide and hundreds of thousands of geese and would provide excellent, panoramic celebration events have been severely Sports and Recreation wading birds arrive, having flown many views, whilst remaining stable on a Community affected by COVID-19 restrictions and, £1,023,469 (21 grants) thousands of miles from the Arctic shingle surface. The cost of a hide of Outdoor Spaces although there has been an online Circle. This spectacle attracts 25,000 this nature was greater than the RSPB’s £384,825 (11 grants) virtual opening of the hide, it is not yet visitors each year. crowdfunding had raised, and they accessible to visitors. However, the approached us with the idea of FCC In December 2013, a tidal storm surge hide has delivered exactly what the Communities Foundation co-funding overwhelmed Snettisham’s banks RPSB hoped for, with panoramic views the project. In total, the Board agreed and lagoons, completely destroying across The Wash to enable visitors, Scottish Landfill Communites to provide funding of £173,500. two viewing hides in the process. when they are able, to experience the Fund Projects 2020 — This project involved the replacement The build was complicated not only by wildlife spectacle whilst protecting the of those two hides with a larger, flood- the pandemic, but also by the access wader roost from disturbance. resilient hide. across the unstable shingle surface Conservation Community Buildings and Biodiversity £216,973 (8 grants) £72,436 (3 grants)

Churches and Listed Buildings £65,526 (2 grant) Inside the new viewing hide at RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve in West Norfolk Children and Young People’s Facilities £112,136 (3 grants) RSPB Snettisham attracts over Sports and Recreation £95,000 (3 grants) Community Outdoor Spaces £96,875 (4 grants) 25,000 visitors each year

Melton The ‘Play Close’ Park has provided the The project looked to upgrade and replace the play area will be inclusivity. Everyone will Ross-shire, community of Melton Mowbray with a the old, tired equipment – which was be able to enjoy themselves, without barriers Culbokie, Findon Hall Mowbray place of recreation for over 170 years. limited in terms of its play values – with hindering their learning and development. During that time, the facilities provided the introduction of new equipment and a Despite initial delays due to lockdown, work FCC Scottish Action Fund Play Park have changed to cater for the community’s layout specifically designed to encourage a progressed swiftly. The play area passed its Funding £40,000 needs. high level of social interaction. FCC Community safety inspection, and opened to the public The need for the project was highlighted The project wanted the play area to be with a socially-distanced celebration event a Action Fund Findon Hall is a well-used village hall, back in 2018 by a group of concerned inclusive, so that children with disabilities few days later. providing a wide range of exercise classes Funding £100,000 parents who use the park. They were able to engage in the same and activities for all age groups in the village successfully campaigned, gathered activities as their friends, but within their of Culbokie on the Black Isle. However, the support, and worked with the applicants own capacity. By providing accessible hall’s 55-year-old roof was porous and in need (a registered charity) to bring this project equipment where children of varying ages of replacement, and further work was needed to help make the hall more efficient and to to us. and abilities can play together, the focus on lower annual maintenance costs. The project £5.2 would allow the village activities to continue and expand, as the life of the hall would be million secured for future generations. FCC Community The project’s delivery was delayed due to Action Funding for social distancing restrictions and difficulty 111 projects in 2020 in obtaining materials in the pandemic. However, once work commenced in late June and, with the hall being closed to the public, work progressed swiftly. The project completed in September 2020, and the residents of Culbokie are delighted with the results. The village hall is warmer and more sustainable, and will have environmental benefits in terms of fuel savings and lower maintenance.

Right: New modern display cabinets able to preserve the museum’s unique collection

Oxford University Museum of Natural History — Transforming the Main Court

FCC Flagship Funding £250,000

The style, design and The museum is popular with visitors, but cabinets, so new temporary displays were location of equipment its Main Court displays had been in situ for commissioned to celebrate the museum’s ensures it is accessible 20 years, with few changes. Nowadays, 160th anniversary. Ulverston for less able children, visitors expect exhibits to be displayed The museum is thrilled with the new allowing them to play in imaginative and appealing ways, with Lightburn Park Playground cabinets, which have transformed the alongside friends rather multiple layers of information. The museum Centre Court by adding more light and a FCC Community Action Fund than feeling separated.” wanted to address this through creative feeling of space. Funding £40,000 interpretations of new displays. The aim was to engage audiences in thought-provoking Despite restrictions, the museum was able and meaningful learning by providing new, to open during 2020, with an accompanying This project was to redevelop and relocate that will take a wheelchair, and subtle modern display cabinets able to preserve online presence showcasing the new the existing children’s playground, which colours which will not be overwhelming. the museum’s unique collection in an displays. The temporary displays housed was coming to the end of its life, replacing New equipment includes a swing designed innovative and engaging manner. in the new cabinets have enabled the it with a play area which would provide a to take a parent and child, a trampoline with museum to test different layouts and gain range of fun and challenging equipment in a FCC Communities Foundation provided ramps for a wheelchair, and many tactile and feedback before the permanent displays secure and safe environment, and no longer £250,000 towards the design and sensory elements which enable children of are finalised and installed as part of be split by an access path through the park. manufacture of 10 new display cabinets. all abilities to play together. Special signage ongoing redevelopment throughout 2021. The new displays would make better use The new playground is now located so displays visual symbols designed to help of the building’s beauty, height and space, that dog walkers can still enjoy the park autistic children communicate their needs while preserving the elements visitors without having to walk through the play area. and wants. value – such as objects of special interest The larger footprint has allowed for more The style, design and location of equipment and the ‘touchability’ of specimens. equipment, with items suitable for a wider ensures it is accessible for less able children, age group and pieces suitable for children Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was not allowing them to play alongside friends with additional needs. possible to complete the installation of rather than feeling separated. Equipment is permanent exhibition displays in the new Near the playground is a school which zoned into age groups – toddler, junior and caters for pupils aged between 2 and 19, older children – and is accessed by size and who have learning difficulties. Many of these ability rather than by age ranges. This gives children have complex needs, including children of all abilities the opportunity to autism, physical difficulties, and sensory play together. impairments. After consultation with the school, the play area has been adapted to include a plastic pod swing, a roundabout

FCC Environment brand value As 2020 began, the thoughts of most These provided a rich source of detailed Forward Thinking of the industry were on the Environment information on what local authority Bill and the next round of consultations officers thought on various aspects of covering Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), the consultations. They were also very Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) informative for those who attended and for Packaging Waste and consistent helped them to formulate their own Forward collections from households and responses from their respective authority. businesses. This followed the first round We had planned to do something similar of consultations in 2019, and Defra had again in the summer of 2020. started the next round of stakeholder Of course, that all changed as the Thinking meetings ahead of planned launch of COVID-19 situation began to unfold and, the second set of consultations in gradually at first, things started to slow October 2020. down and get postponed, before the first Celebrating the spirit of our sector In the first round of the consultations, lockdown was announced and everything LARAC undertook a major engagement stopped – and changed. Lee Marshall LARAC is the voice of waste and recycling officers across process with its members, including CEO, LARAC Continued > the UK, representing 294 local authorities. At the start 5 workshops across England. of 2020, LARAC was focusing on the latest government consultations. But, with the arrival of the pandemic, all attention turned to supporting members in the challenge to maintain essential services. Looking back over the year, we celebrate adaptability and resourcefulness.

The way in which local authorities and their

United Nations partners – such as FCC sustainable development goals Environment – responded to the situation [COV ID-19] is nothing short of amazing.”

In terms of the consultations, it meant Again, the way in which FCC Environment all stakeholder engagement ceased as and others helped by moving operatives government officials and those in the not only between services, but between industry moved across to reacting to the contracts, showed how adaptable the impacts of the pandemic. This meant the industry is and how valuable a strong timetable for their release radically shifted, relationship can be between council and and it would not be until May 2021 before contractor. they eventually emerged. Going forward, the pandemic has brought The way in which local authorities and about a step change in so many aspects their partners – such as FCC Environment of life. In the waste industry we are likely – responded to the situation is nothing to see some of the changes that came into short of amazing. LARAC was one of a HWRCs stay, such as booking systems, as number of local authority bodies involved they have been shown to make for more in undertaking weekly surveys of local effective operations. It has also thrown authority waste services. These showed some doubt on how a DRS could operate that throughout 2020, nearly all residual going forward and it will be interesting to waste services kept running, and after see how the industry responds to that in the initial blip in the first week or so of the second set of consultations. lockdown, most recycling services also 2020 will obviously go down in history managed to keep going. There was some for lots of reasons. And it will be easy to disruption to food and garden waste forget certain aspects of it as time fades. services, and more so to street cleaning So, we should hold onto the thoughts and as operatives were reallocated to keep the memories of just how well the industry waste collections going. responded, how we all kept the collections The headlines though were more focused going and how much the perhaps 2020 will obviously go down in on the closure of the HWRCs and the forgotten bin men and women were so history for lots of reasons. So, we knock-on effects this made on material appreciated by the public. Let’s hope that supply to end markets, such as wood and this newfound respect for our industry should hold onto the thoughts waste electronics and electrical items. does not dimmish as we start to move back and memories of just how well On the one hand, it was not something to a society and life where we mix and that was done lightly, but on the other it meet and go about our daily lives again. the industry responded, how we was a simple decision to make, given the all kept the collections going and government guidance and laws in place that restricted travel. There was no reason how much the perhaps forgotten to travel to HWRCs so, therefore, no reason to keep them open when the resources bin men and women were so could be used elsewhere. appreciated by the public.”

To find out more call 0844 736 9992 fccenvironment.co.uk

Welcome CEO Foreword Who We Are FCC in Numbers Highlights and Environmental People Focus Doing the Right Thing Forward Thinking Get in Touch and What We Do Investments Commitment