Progress against our sustainability targets
Learn about the progress we are making against our sustainability targets, and the initiatives that are helping us to get there.
Enabling a circular economy: Our 2030 targets
Quadruple plastic recycling capability
Our total recycling capacity is 167,000 tonnes. Increasing our recycling capacity means more recycling can happen in the UK, creating more sustainable materials for use in manufacturing.
Build two new efficient and compliant Energy from Waste plants
Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility started receiving residual waste in October 2022. By December the plant had processed 24k tonnes of residual waste and generated around 12 MW of power. Full scale operations commenced in June 2023, while Protos is progressing towards its planned commercial operation in 2024.
Increase collection of business waste for recycling by 50% to 0.75m tonnes
To drive sustainable business waste recycling, we’ve delivered communication campaigns to educate our operatives and business customers on proper recycling container use. We’ve seen a remarkable 19% increase in recycling collections from businesses, amounting to 0.605mt.
Provide all customers with sustainable waste management advisory services including waste reduction and re-use options
We want to help businesses become part of a successful circular economy by prioritising reduction, reuse and recycling. We have helped 52 of our customers with sustainable waste-management support through our Packaging Consultancy. We also offer advisory services via our Specialist Services and Company Shop Group divisions including supply chain audits, production reviews and procurement strategies.
Tackling climate change: Our 2030 targets
Powering our sites with renewable energy
The Biffa tariff powering our sites acquires energy from 100% renewable sources, exemplifying our unwavering commitment to renewable energy. Looking to the future, planning applications for several solar-power projects have been submitted, with the anticipation of generating a total capacity of 50MW. These projects demonstrate Biffa's proactive approach to expanding our renewable energy portfolio and making a positive impact on the environment.
Reduce carbon emissions by 50%
This year, we saw a reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions of almost 30% compared to our 2019 baseline. This has been achieved through the continued improvement of our landfill gas capture and efficiency gains within our operations.
In 2023 we had our scope 1, 2 and 3 emission targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This aligns with our commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement, specifically aiming to restrict global warming to less than 2°C. Our scope 3 emissions target aims to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 from a 2022 baseline.
In 2023 we had our scope 1, 2 and 3 emission targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This aligns with our commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement, specifically aiming to restrict global warming to less than 2°C. Our scope 3 emissions target aims to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 from a 2022 baseline.
Cease buying fossil-fuelled RCVs by 2030
Our alternative fuels vehicle strategy is a key component of our efforts to transition our diesel collection fleet to more sustainable options. The successful adoption of 120 electric or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) vehicles in our fleet since 2019 represents a significant step towards reducing emissions and adopting cleaner transportation. We continued with the roll out of the UK’s largest fleet of electric refuse collection vehicles designed to reduce air pollution levels in the city of Manchester. The 27 strong fleet is now in operation, supporting Manchester’s objective to be Net Zero by 2038.
Increase collection route efficiency by 20% to 0.54km per lift
By focusing on compaction mode and optimising collection routes, we achieved a 7% increase in collection route efficiencies in 2022-2023. A rerouting exercise, in conjunction with the integration of acquisitions, has streamlined operations and resulted in significant environmental benefits, saving approximately 1,400 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.
Caring for our people, supporting our communities: Our 2030 targets
Become a top quartile business for employee engagement
We have made excellent progress with employee engagement. Our score has more than doubled in the last 10 years of undertaking the survey. We were delighted that our engagement score increased by 4% this year to 63%, which is 7% above the UK average and only 4% from the top quartile UK companies.
We have introduced a range of initiatives to improve the employee experience at Biffa. Our Engagement Champion Day saw employees from across the business come together to share best practice and learn what more they can do to support managers with the engagement of their team members. We also developed our new Lead, Engage and Develop (LEAD) programme to ensure all our managers are equipped to manage employees as effectively as possible. Other highlights include increasing the provision of mental health support and additional advice and support to help with the cost-of-living crisis. We have also revamped our employee communications to make them more accessible.
We have introduced a range of initiatives to improve the employee experience at Biffa. Our Engagement Champion Day saw employees from across the business come together to share best practice and learn what more they can do to support managers with the engagement of their team members. We also developed our new Lead, Engage and Develop (LEAD) programme to ensure all our managers are equipped to manage employees as effectively as possible. Other highlights include increasing the provision of mental health support and additional advice and support to help with the cost-of-living crisis. We have also revamped our employee communications to make them more accessible.
Become a Living Wage workplace and a member of the Living Wage Foundation
Our commitment to supporting the Living Wage Foundation is evident, with 98% of employees (excluding Company Shop Group) being paid Foundation Living Wage rates and with Biffa achieving ‘Recognised Service Provider of Foundation Living Wage’ status.
Maintain high health and safety standards with a 50% reduction to our Lost Time Injury rate
We monitor and report on our Lost Time Injury (LTI) rate. In the past year we have reduced LTIs to 0.32, which is an 18% reduction from the prior year. This gets us one step closer to our 2030 target to have reduced our LTI rate by 50% from our 2019 baseline. Moreover, we have reduced our average incident severity rate by 11%.
We invest in our H&S team, ensuring that they receive the most up to date technical training so they can help the business reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace harm.
We invest in our H&S team, ensuring that they receive the most up to date technical training so they can help the business reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace harm.
Maintain zero tolerance on Modern Slavery and be an acknowledged leader in anti-slavery practices.
We have driven a number of initiatives to support our Modern Day Slavery (MDS) strategy and strengthen our response to MDS. This includes continuing to be active members of Slave Free Alliance (SFA) and the Waste and Recycling MDS Industry Working Groups. We also commissioned Slave Free Alliance (SFA) to conduct MDS Threat Assessments for Simply Waste and Company Shop Group (CSG).
Create an inclusive culture and increase the diversity of the workforce to be representative of the population.
We have announced our aspiration to have 50% of appointments into leader and manager roles to be women, along with establishing a Diversity Steering Group and updating our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, underlining our dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion.
£25 million delivered to local community and UK partnership projects through Biffa Award
Our investment in communities through Biffa Award, a multi-million pound Landfill Communities Fund, managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts amounts to £22.49 million, with £4.59 million committed during the reporting year, demonstrating our social responsibility and positive impact on society.
Manage 30% of our estate for biodiversity
To further enhance biodiversity at our sites, we have converted 29 acres to support conservation efforts. Habitat assessments have been completed at various sites to understand the biodiversity on our sites and we are currently awaiting the release of an updated metric to assess biodiversity classifications and determine Biodiversity Net Gain potential across our sites.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about our sustainability strategy and our progress, then download our latest Sustainability Report.