Waste management firms Biffa, Veolia and B&M Waste Services have met to discuss joint work aimed at tackling the issue of rough sleepers using refuse containers for shelter.
The three companies have convened a dedicated industry steering group alongside the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aimed at tackling the issue.
B&M Waste began stickering its bins to warn people against sleeping in bins in 2014
According to the companies, there have been a number of reported deaths by tipping in recent years due to people taking refuge in bins during winter nights and being tipped into waste vehicles. There have also been reports of students and those making their way home under the influence of drink or drugs seeking shelter and putting themselves in danger, the group claimed.
The organisations have agreed to pool resources to create an industry-wide initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of sleeping in bins.
Charities involved in working with the homeless, Framework and Homeless Link have also contributed to the work of the group.
Campaigns
The joint initiative follows on from Biffa’s work with Homeless Link to raise awareness of the issue (see letsrecycle.com story), as well as B&M’s ongoing ‘Refuse Not Refuge’ campaign (see letsrecycle.com story).
Tim Standring, Biffa’s divisional health, safety, environment and quality coach said: “Even though we’ve increased training and awareness over the last two years and discovered more people in our bins, tragically fatalities are still occurring across our industry. But there is a wider responsibility beyond simply the waste companies – it needs a holistic approach from all sectors and stakeholders including our customers, local authorities and the general public.”
Veolia’s quality and health and safety projects manager Paul Thornber said: “Whilst the waste and resource industry is trying hard to reduce and eventually eliminate these tragic events, support from other stakeholders in the Duty of Care chain is required and would be welcomed. This social problem is on the rise and it is up to us all to support one another in playing a part in attempting to find a lasting solution.”
And Ann McMurrie, B&M Waste Services’ environment, quality, health & safety and compliance manager added: “Coming together as an industry seems the sensible way forward to raise awareness of the terrible dangers of sleeping in waste containers. We first addressed this issue with our ‘Refuse not Refuge’ campaign which launched in 2013. We now urge other parties such as local authorities and customers to spread this message, and further reduce fatalities in the future.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
