A new commercial waste and recycling collection service to be introduced in Leeds city centre aims to help save businesses money, while enhancing street aesthetics.
LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), working in partnership with Leeds-based Forge Recycling, is to deliver a new collection service to city centre businesses.
The new service, which will be available from January 1st 2018, comes in response to a recent survey which showed that 43% of LeedsBID levy payers wanted to see improvements to their collection contracts. Businesses located in LS1 and LS2 with a £60,000 or over rateable value pay a 1.25 per cent levy into the BID which is invested back into the city centre through various projects and initiatives.
The new trade waste service is part of LeedsBID’s business priorities to help local businesses reduce costs while also contributing to improving the appearance of the city centre.
Chief Executive Andrew Cooper
LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper said: “The contract demonstrates how businesses can work together to achieve economies of scale. The ambition is to save money, improve recycling and enhance street aesthetics by having a regular and quality waste service.”
“BIDs elsewhere in the UK have employed similar schemes and we will be working collaboratively with Forge to ensure a first-class service for all businesses in Leeds.”
Forge will be offering a seven day a week service with collections timed to ensure trade sacks and loose waste are not left out overnight. When businesses sign up, they will receive a free waste audit to check how they could save money, and will be able to receive a free collection of waste cardboard each week.
The contract, which is available to businesses who pay a BID levy (mandatory or voluntary), has been designed so that the more businesses who opt into the service, the more money they will all save. It is hoped that local businesses will work together to repeat the success of similar schemes elsewhere in the UK.
How Forge performs
LeedsBID will play an ongoing role, monitoring how Forge performs, working together on any service issues and ensuring that prices stay low over the lifetime of the contract.
Forge was founded in Leeds in 2011, and has rapidly grown its list of clients.
LeedsBID selected the company through a competitive bidding process, designed by waste consultants Eunomia, which looked at both price and quality of service.
Harvey Mills, co-founder of Forge Recycling, said: “We see this contract as a big opportunity, and are delighted to have the opportunity to work with LeedsBID. Working together, we can offer businesses a more convenient service and help them recycle more. We are proud of our roots in Leeds and passionate about improving the city centre.”
Businesses which are interested in the new service can contact Forge Recycling on 0345 5050 905.
LeedsBID is a business-led, not for profit organisation, focused on delivering an ambitious business plan to transform Leeds city centre – improving experiences, raising profile and adding value for all city users.
A multi sector BID, LeedsBID represents 1,000 businesses and organisations in the city centre (LS1 and LS2 postcodes) and works collaboratively across the city on a range of bold and initiative projects.
The annual fund is set against its business plan to bring numerous improvements including public realm, business investment and increased footfall into the city centre.
LeedsBID is the third largest in the UK and largest outside London.
Business Improvement Districts have proved to be highly successful, with more than 270 BIDs around the UK.
Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Forge Waste & Recycling started trading in November 2010. The company was started by Harvey and Fraser Mills with the aim to offer a competitive and flexible waste management service with an emphasis on making recycling easy.
Initially working in partnership with Co2 Sense, the company received EU funding to help purchase their first vehicle and they have continued to grow ever since. Following further investment in 2013, they currently operate a fleet of 15 specialist collection vehicles. Forge use the latest logistics packages and waste management software to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible.
Forge Recycling has a Leeds based customer service team and employ the best local drivers to ensure they provide a professional service whilst remaining a local company.
Forge can offer the full range of waste containers from trade sacks, wheelie bins, front end loaders (FEL), and roll-on roll-off and skips. As well as commercial / business waste collection service Forge also offer a full recycling service collecting mixed recyclables, cardboard, food waste and glass bottles.