29 April 2010
Devon’s premier recycling company’s ability to help others cut their operating costs has led to its busiest quarter yet, despite the economic downturn.
TQ Recycling has seen its turnover increase by over 19% in the past three months, bucking the economic trend. The company attributes the growth to firms recognising that going green cuts overheads by reducing waste costs.
The Kingsbridge-based company provides Devon’s most comprehensive trade recycling collection service, handling glass, cardboard, paper, plastics and aluminium and steel cans for businesses across the county.
Under EU law firms have duty of care to ‘pre-treat’ their waste, with heavy charges levied against any sent to landfill. By recycling instead of paying for it to go to the tip, many companies can dramatically reduce their trade waste bills.
Councils in south Devon charge from £14.60 to £23.00 to collect a 1100 litre wheelie bin of general trade waste to send to landfill. TQ Recycling charges £9.00 for the same size of bin for cardboard recycling.
TQ Recycling recycles waste for over 500 businesses in Devon and Cornwall. As well as many pubs, hotels and restaurants, clients include the National Trust, Caravan Club and tourist attractions such as Kent’s Cavern and the Plymouth Marine Aquarium. Clients decide the bin and bag types and frequency of collection.
David Newman of TQ Recycling: “Business people don’t like wasting money at the best of times, but in the midst of a recession it is even more vital to keep costs down.
“Despite January being really quiet for many companies, we had our busiest month ever. With people waiting for their own phone to ring, I think they decided to look for ways to help themselves survive the downturn.
“Recycling trade waste is a sensible choice: not only might it be much cheaper but it is also a great boost to your environmental credentials.”