Cawleys extends London Luton Airport waste contract
Cawleys has been reappointed by London Luton Airport (LLA) to deliver its waste management services for a further five years.
The contract extension follows the original award in 2021 and will see Cawleys, a subsidiary of Suez, continue to manage airside and landside waste operations at the airport.
The renewed agreement will focus on improving operational efficiency and recycling performance, with plans to introduce solar-powered compactors, expand reusable cup schemes and explore waste-to-fuel opportunities.
Pete Greig, Key Account Director at Cawleys said: “We’re incredibly proud to be continuing our partnership with London Luton Airport for another five years. Since 2021, we’ve worked closely together to deliver measurable, award-winning improvements in recycling, waste reduction and sustainability.
“Looking ahead, we’re excited to bring forward new innovations that we hope will help drive performance and success with the airport on its sustainability ambitions.”
Heidelberg Materials opens new aggregate wash plant
Heidelberg Materials UK has expanded its Agecroft recycling operation in Swinton, Manchester, with a new wash plant and rail link.
The wash plant will aim to process up to 450,000 tonnes of excavated waste annually, primarily soils from construction, demolition and industrial sites, producing high-quality recycled aggregates for use in construction.
The facility includes a drainage and water recovery system designed to capture and recirculate almost 100% of the water used during processing.
The investment also includes a new rail siding, enabling primary aggregates to be delivered from Heidelberg Materials’ Horton quarry in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The link is intended to reduce road vehicle movements and associated carbon emissions when supplying the Manchester market.
James Whitelaw, Managing Director Aggregates, Asphalt and Recycling North at Heidelberg Materials, commented: “The new bespoke wash plant enables on-site recovery and washing of material, turning soil and construction waste into recycled aggregates, helping meet increasing demand for more sustainable construction products, while diverting more material from landfill.”
Romney reuse shop expands after diverting 31 tonnes from disposal
Kent County Council has expanded its reuse shop at New Romney Household Waste Recycling Centre following a successful first year, during which 31 tonnes of reusable items were diverted from disposal.
The shop, the council’s first reuse facility, has helped more than 2,100 items find new homes since opening in 2025.
The expanded facility includes additional retail space, three shipping containers and a covered canopy area, allowing more items to be offered for sale and improving the shopping experience.
Jamie Henderson, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for environment and coastal regeneration, who opened the shop, commented: “The success of the Reuse Shop at New Romney has exceeded our expectations.
“This expanded facility will allow us to build on that success, saving even more valuable resources from becoming waste while making quality, affordable items available to local people.
‘I’d like to thank our partners at FCC Environment, KCC officers, site staff and residents whose support and dedication have made this project such a success.”
Holyrood hosts first Repair Café to showcase Scotland’s reuse projects
Scotland’s community repair initiatives showcased their work at the Scottish Parliament’s first ever Repair Café, highlighting the role of repair in reducing waste.
Volunteers from 12 community projects demonstrated how household and electrical items could be repaired, with activities covering textiles, IT, ceramics and wood refurbishment.
The event also gave MSPs the opportunity to pledge support for Circular Communities Scotland’s ‘Get Reuse Right’ campaign, which calls on the Scottish Government to introduce policies supporting reuse, repair and sharing charities.
Over the past year, 17,202 people have visited repair cafés and community repair services across Scotland, with more than 13,000 items fixed. The projects typically offer repairs free of charge or by donation, helping extend product lifespans and prevent waste.
MSP for Edinburgh Central Lorna Slater said: “Scotland’s community repair movement is a great example of the circular economy in action.
“These hubs help people save money, share skills, build communities and keep items out of the waste stream.
“But this success is not guaranteed. Groups are facing rising costs, funding pressures and products designed to be thrown away rather than repaired. We need national action to support repair hubs and I encourage every MSP to support Circular Communities Scotland’s Get Reuse Right campaign.”
Register for free to comment