NEC Group strengthens carbon savings with first waste drop at Biffa Coventry

20 February 2024 Becky Humphries

Placehold Image — Carbon savings expected in 2024

The UK’s leading live events business, NEC Group, is set to strengthen its carbon savings by 274 tonnes in 2024 having completed its first waste delivery to Biffa’s newest waste transfer station in Coventry.

With the opening of the new waste management centre in Coventry just over three miles from the NEC Group headquarters, the UK’s leading live events business is set to accelerate its carbon savings in 2024.

With the Coventry site now acting as the primary transfer station for all NEC Group waste collections including the NEC and Resorts World Arena venues, the Group will save 26,255 waste-related miles travelled in 2024*, the equivalent of 274 tonnes of carbon.

These carbon emission savings equate to 53 UK homes’ annual electricity usage, or the charging of 33m mobile phones.

Working in partnership with leading international facilities service specialist OCS, the savings will be achieved by using fewer vehicles, to travel even fewer miles to deliver higher compaction rates.

By scheduling collections supported by the wider fleet and using a higher specification packer technology to drive time and volume efficiencies, the partnership supports the NEC Group’s ambitions to make its waste management practices more environmentally friendly and achieve net zero by 2040.

Steve Cartmell, Group FM Contract Support Manager at the NEC Group said: “It’s fantastic that we are further strengthening our partnership with OCS and Biffa by utilising the newest Biffa waste management site in Coventry. Right on the doorstep of the NEC Group, we are very proud that that our waste practices are not only thoughtful and sustainable, but also reducing vehicle miles more than ever before.”

Kerry-Louise Halford, Senior Regional Account Manager at Biffa said: "Our partnership with the NEC Group is a wonderful example of our work with businesses and organisations, large and small, to help them waste less and recycle more.

"Sustainable waste management strategies are vital to help drive down climate change-related carbon emissions, while participating in the circular economy ensures the preservation of valuable natural resources.

"I'm really proud of what we've achieved together so far and look forward to continuing our journey to net zero."

Darren Hawkins, Head of Soft Services at the NEC for OCS added: “We’re delighted to have played our part in such a significant saving in waste operation emissions in partnership with the NEC Group and Biffa.

“The fleet strategy, which makes the use of vehicles and the time of drivers more efficient, has been key to this reduction. Its effectiveness is an excellent template for others to follow as they seek to reduce their own emissions.”

Through strategic partnerships and a dedicated workforce, the NEC Group, Biffa, and OCS have effectively demonstrated that sustainable practices are attainable, scalable, and better for business.