East Sussex re-route: Transforming waste collection with Biffa
Biffa’s extensive scale and specialised capabilities helped transform East Sussex’s waste collections. By designing a tailored reroute project, Biffa helped achieve improved operational efficiencies and increased flexibility to adapt to evolving service demands and future regulatory requirements.
Tackling the challenge
East Sussex faced significant inefficiencies due to outdated route planning, which gradually became worse as new properties were added and the types and volume of waste collected changed. Some routes had too many properties, others had too few. This led to an operational imbalance, increased costs and uneven workloads, resulting in poor engagement of employees and unions. Biffa identified the need for a comprehensive reroute to address the situation.
The solution
Biffa formed a dedicated project team which developed a comprehensive plan using advanced route modelling alongside an in-depth analysis of current property distributions and projected future growth. The plan involved changing the collection schedules for 66,000 households – 86% of all properties in the Wealden District. The new system was designed to address current inefficiencies and accommodate future property growth and changes in services or waste volume. By focusing on improving operational efficiency, Biffa ensured long-term effectiveness and reliability.
Results
The project achieved remarkable results. It optimised resource allocation, drove waste collection efficiency, and delivered an enhanced service and customer experience through a future-proof, consolidated, yet flexible solution. It also contributed to East Sussex’s sustainability targets by reducing vehicle mileage, committing to HVO fuel, and implementing ongoing monitoring.
Collaborative approach
Key stakeholders from the local authority were integral from the start of the project in May 2023. Council officers, employees, and unions not only offered critical insights based on their local expertise but also actively participated in rigorous planning sessions. This essential support, including reviewing and refining the new schedules, facilitated a seamless transition and successful implementation of the updated waste collection routes. Seamless implementation
The reroute, implemented in May 2024, required 12 months of careful planning, resource reallocation, and staff training. This effort highlighted the project's complexity and our commitment to a smooth transition. We hired additional vehicles as well as temporary workers and carried out rigorous training sessions. Using advanced technology—such as in-cab devices, live CCTV, and tracking systems—we monitored progress closely and addressed issues quickly, making adjustments to missed bins immediately and balancing workloads more effectively. Our Control Centre ran frequent health and safety audits. This ensured service compliance and safeguarded both our crews and the public. Residents were kept informed of the changes through integration with the local authority's call centre, ensuring clear and effective communication.
- 5 additional collection vehicles hired temporarily
- 18,000 households served by temporary hires to prevent delays
- 12 additional support staff deployed from other locations to address missed collections
Future directions
Biffa is committed to advancing its solutions through innovation and collaboration. By embracing emerging technologies, refining operational processes, and fostering strategic partnerships, we aim to enhance scalability and flexibility. Moving forward, Biffa is dedicated to implementing dynamic rerouting technologies, leveraging real-time data to optimise routes and react immediately to changes, enhancing the flexibility of our waste management services. This commitment further solidifies our position as a leader in innovative waste management solutions, ready to adapt to both current needs and future challenges.
Conclusion
The East Sussex reroute by Biffa showcases our expertise in guiding local authorities through the dynamic landscape of waste management, offering flexible solutions that adapt to evolving needs and new regulations. Biffa is a trusted partner capable of delivering similar transformative benefits to other local authorities. By optimising routes, we enhance operational efficiencies and foster collaborative partnerships, enabling local authorities to improve service delivery, achieve significant cost savings, and meet their sustainability targets. As we look to the future, Biffa stands ready to replicate this success for other local authorities nationwide.
