Resource Round-Up 15/12/22 – Whitespace, Reconomy Group, and Philips
A round-up of news from the waste and resources industry, including Whitespace, Reconomy Group, and Philips. Jump to:
Whitespace launches fully embedded camera and tracking solution for Local Authorities
Reconomy Group CEO Paul Cox steps down after 23 years
Philips includes manual toothbrushes in its free dental care recycling programme
Whitespace launches fully embedded camera and tracking solution for Local Authorities
Whitespace WorkSoftware (Whitespace), waste management software provider to local authorities and the public sector, has launched an integrated camera and tracking solution for Recycling Collection Vehicle’s (RCVs).
According to Whitespace, its updated ‘Job Progress’ module for waste collection will become ‘the first’ to fully integrate on-vehicle camera and tracking information with waste management data on a single page.
Local authorities and other operators – when experiencing reports of an issue such as an accident, missed bin or the presence of side waste – will be able to use the technology to access relevant evidence including selecting any vehicle, a job that crew is working on (past or present), their location on that route and download footage from multiple on board cameras.
The technology will also allow users to view live footage from the vehicle to check exactly where it is and what it is doing in real time. Downloaded footage is stored within the Whitespace system.
Previously, local authorities and operators had to cross reference separate vehicle tracking and onboard camera systems to identify and view footage – a manual process that could take up to four hours with multiple members of staff having to collate evidence from disparate systems.
Whitespace Commercial Director, Mike Nicholls, said: “This new camera integration functionality will significantly improve the resolution time for a range of issues, freeing up time for more positive and proactive tasks.”
“The fact this innovation has been developed in partnership with the major telematics and camera providers means it is highly compatible and will work ‘off the shelf’ for the majority of local authorities and operators.”
Reconomy Group CEO Paul Cox steps down after 23 years
Reconomy Group has announced that Paul Cox will be stepping down as the company’s CEO, transitioning to the role of Founder Director on the Group Board in January 2023.
After a 23-year career with the company, Paul will begin the new year working closely with the Board and his successor to support the continued evolution of the business, actively contributing to the Group’s corporate development and retaining personal responsibility for Reconomy Group’s social value programme RSVP.
Reconomy says that, since joining the company 1999 initially as Operations Director and serving as CEO for nearly 13 years, Paul has delivered transformational growth and ‘spearheaded’ Reconomy Group’s successful evolution.
The group also highlights that Cox has ‘transformed Reconomy from a UK SME into an international business of scale with a unique offering and a bright future’.
Following the conclusion of a succession planning process, Reconomy Group’s new chief executive will be announced in January.
Paul Cox commented: “It has been an honour to develop and work with such a talented and dedicated team over the last 23 years and I am so proud of all we have achieved. Thanks to our hard work, Reconomy Group is delivering industry-leading circular economy solutions that allow businesses to achieve their sustainability goals. I am confident this is the right time for me to take this decision, for me personally and for the continued execution of the Company’s long-term strategic plan. I look forward to supporting the new chief executive during this next phase of our growth as a member of the Board.”
Bob Ellis, Chair of Reconomy Group, added: “Paul has led the creation and growth of Reconomy over more than two decades, transforming the business into a leading provider of technology-led circular economy services to brands around the world. During his tenure as CEO, Paul made a significant contribution to businesses that want to improve their ESG outcomes, conserve natural resources, and embrace the circular economy.”
Philips includes manual toothbrushes in its free dental care recycling programme
Electronics company Philips has announced that manual toothbrushes can now be recycled through its Dental Care Free Recycling Programme for oral care waste. The programme already offers the service for powered toothbrushes.
The Philips Dental Care Free Recycling Programme, set up in collaboration with TerraCycle and first launched in 2020, accepts oral care products of any brand. The programme initially recycled electric toothbrush heads and covers, electric flosser nozzles, flossing sticks and interdental brushes, and dental floss containers.
The complex mix of materials in these items means they are not recycled by councils, because the process to recycle them costs more than the recycled product is ultimately worth, making them uneconomical for local authorities.
For each parcel of waste sent in to TerraCycle, the sender will be rewarded with points redeemable as charitable donations to the school, charity or non-profit organisation of their choice.
There is a network of 249 publicly accessible drop-off locations on the Philips Free Recycling Programme for the public to leave their used oral care products to be recycled, all of which can be seen on TerraCycle’s interactive map. According to Phillips, ‘anyone’ can set up a public drop-off location by heading to the TerraCycle website and signing up to the recycling programme. They will then be able to start downloading shipping labels and sending their community’s dental care products and packaging to TerraCycle free of charge.
Jess, Gregory, Consumer Marketing Manager for Philips Oral Healthcare, said: “Human health and environmental health go hand in hand. By looking after the planet, we contribute to the health and well-being of societies, as well as future generations.
“Circular design and circular product development are key to further improve energy efficiency our products, reduce materials usage, and meeting our ambitious environmental targets. We focus on using less, using longer and using again, for example by reducing the weight and volume of our product packaging and moving towards re-usable, recyclable or compostable packaging. By offering new business models, including lease options, we give products a second or third life. We are delighted to extend the partnership with Terracycle to facilitate an easy and sustainable way to dispose of used oral care products, preventing products from ending up in landfill sites.”
