Whether the question is Who will win The Ashes England Vs Australia, or who will get Christmas number 1 “K-Pop Demon Hunters or Wham?”  these bins capture attention and spark conversation, while quietly delivering massive cuts to waste and clean-up costs.

Crucially, the Big Ballot Bin is designed as a customisable brand asset. Operators can integrate the bin into their guest experience by adding branding, bespoke colours, and campaign messaging, to turn litter collection into a marketing tool that strengthens their brand experience.

Litter costs the UK over £1 billion a year to clean up, and it’s one of the most visible indicators of poor visitor experience. Traditional methods are failing to tackle it.

Alex Robinson, CEO at Hubbub, said: “The Big Ballot Bin shows what happens when you make the right choice the fun choice. Traditional enforcement often fails to change behaviour, but when you invite people to take part in something playful and topical, littering drops dramatically. We’ve seen how curiosity, conversation and competition can transform a simple act like binning rubbish into a moment people enjoy and remember. For venues and destinations, it’s proof that positive engagement can deliver real environmental impact.” 

Behind the fun exterior sits smart technology. Each bin comes equipped with a remote tracking system that allows operators to monitor the vote count and collect valuable data for ESG and CSR reporting. The plug-and-play design ensures reliability both indoors and outdoors, while a 240-litre capacity makes it ideal for busy shopping centres, theme parks and stadiums.

The Big Ballot Bin has been trialled successfully on UK high streets through an eight-week pilot with KFC, Manchester City Council and Southampton City Council. The results showed that litter was dramatically reduced within 20 metres of each bin, with drinks litter down 70 per cent and food litter down 60 per cent, while the bin’s capture radius was 2.5 times larger than standard bins.

The pilot also got people talking and sharing the bins on social media, reaching 10 million people organically.  According to Manchester City Council, “people were actively seeking them out”.

Hubbub is now inviting organisations across the leisure, hospitality, and attractions sectors to become early adopters. Partners will benefit from preferential pricing and access to a full support package, including full creative customisation (branding, colours, and messaging), access to the smart tracker, and communications collaboration.

Robinson added: “When we first trialled the Big Ballot Bin, we were blown away by how much attention they received – they really got people talking and we had fun creating voting options that tapped into current trends and discussions. We’re thrilled to now bring this product to market and we look forward seeing our future customers create memorable experiences for visitors and be part of a nationwide movement to tackle litter in smarter ways.”  

This innovation builds on the success of Hubbub’s original Ballot Bin, the world’s first voting ashtray launched in 2015. Now found in over 5,000 locations across 43 countries, the Ballot Bin has collected more than 15 million cigarette butts and won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The Big Ballot Bin takes these proven principles and scales them up for general litter – delivering the same mix of visibility, fun and effectiveness.

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The latest figures, published today (Wednesday 13 March), show that the industry contributes nearly £59.8 billion to the economy, after a dip following the start of the pandemic. The sector remains one of the 10 biggest sectors in the UK.

There are a number of positive developments for the industry to build on including the launch of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship and increased recognition for the sector post-pandemic, the 2024 research report says.

It also shows how the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector faces a ‘perfect storm of severe staff shortages’ and an ageing workforce.

Figures quoted in the document show that the entire sector was worth £58.9 billion in 2019, but this dipped to £57 billion in 2020 before increasing again in 2021. All subsectors, bar landscape service activities, saw growth in turnover in 2021 after a dip the previous year.

If occupations involved in cleaning across other industries such as public services and hospitality are included, the total number of individuals working in the industry is 1.47 million. This equates to approximately five per cent of the UK workforce.

The sector continues to grow, with a reported 75,565 businesses operating in 2023, up from 73,655 businesses operating in 2022, most of which are micro-businesses.

The launch of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship on 1 January is a ‘significant development for the sector which will bring major benefits’, enabling millions of pounds of Apprenticeship Levy funds paid annually by the sector to the Government to be invested in staff training instead.

Other positive developments cited in the report include the increased recognition of the important role of cleaning and hygiene staff following the Covid-19 pandemic and evidence that the public are reassured by seeing cleaning staff at work in public spaces.

The BCC’s We Clean, We Care campaign also provides an opportunity to bring BCC members and the wider industry together to raise the profile of the sector and its staff.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry’s report Embedding Effective Hygiene For A Resilient UK report is a key asset highlighting the importance of making cleaning and hygiene a national priority.

The research report points out that the industry continues to struggle to replace staff who have left the sector in the wake of the pandemic and Brexit, with other staff having moved to new roles. There are a record number of job vacancies across the UK in a wide variety of industries, adding to the recruitment challenge, it says.

With only nine per cent of staff aged under 25 and 27 per cent aged over 55 years, the ‘industry as a whole needs to continue to do more to attract younger workers into the sector. Continuing to raise the profile of the industry is vital to attract workers,’ the report says.

Many in the industry would also like to see a change in public policy to allow Apprenticeship Levy funds to be used for a wider range of development opportunities, including more flexible training options, the report adds.

In the three years since the APPG for the industry was established, there has been ‘minimal engagement on the part of the Government’ in areas other than the apprenticeship, it says.

BCC Chair Delia Cannings said: “Our annual research report about the cleaning, hygiene and waste industry is a key document for the sector. It takes a detailed, informative and rigorous look at the industry and its sub-sectors, full of revealing statistics and facts. If you are interested in reading the report, please contact us and we will be happy to provide a free copy.

“The report highlights the essential role of the sector and its staff in keeping the nation’s workplaces, hospitals, educational establishments, transport facilities and public spaces safe, clean and pleasant to use, contributing to the nation’s health and wealth.

“That vital contribution to infection prevention and control became so much more visible during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of the sector in the wider public consciousness. The pandemic has left many of the current workforce mentally and physically exhausted – particularly those in the healthcare sector.

“The report demonstrates that the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector remains one of the 10 largest in the UK, though it has been impacted by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic shock of Brexit and is still in recovery. There are some positive developments to build on and also some issues still needing to be overcome.”

Free, digital copies of the BCC’s 2024 research report are available by emailing compsec@britishcleaningcouncil.org

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The commercial waste management and recycling organisation specialises in providing complete, independent waste solutions to businesses throughout the East Midlands and the rest of the UK.

Recently crowned East Midlands’ best commercial waste management company at the Environmental Sustainability Awards, Winners of Recycling Excellence and shortlisted for two other categories at MRW’s National Recycling Awards – Go4Greener is committed to recycling and disposing of waste in the most sustainable ways possible.

As part of this commitment, the company has signed an eight-year contract with biotechnology business Advetec to convert offensive washroom waste into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), supporting its bid to send zero waste to landfill, transition to a circular economy and help customers with their ESG goals.

The contract follows a month-long trial to ensure the technology suits operations and supports their goals.

Each year, Go 4 Greener will process up to 4,000 tonnes of offensive washroom waste, which includes hand towels, nappies and sanitary products, with Advetec’s largest aerobic biodigester, the XO22. The X022 will operate on-site at Go 4 Greener’s facility in Derby.

Using the technology, Go 4 Greener will turn waste once destined for landfill or incineration into nearly 2,000 tonnes of high-quality Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) each year. SRF is a greener alternative to fossil fuels and replaces coal in energy-heavy industries, such as cement production.

The technology will enable Go 4 Greener to offer carbon reductions and greater cost certainty, as well as assist with Scope 3 carbon emissions reporting for customers in the hospitality, retail, commercial and education sectors.

Advetec’s biotechnology reduces the mass and volume of waste by 50 and 70 per cent respectively, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to landfill and Energy from Waste (EfW). For every two tonnes of waste processed by the technology, 1.2 tonnes of CO2 will be saved (compared with landfill or low-level incineration).

The process digests the organic fraction of the waste using unique blends of naturally occurring bacteria and stabilises the waste. The floc that’s left will be used as a coal replacement product – each tonne of floc used as SRF will replace 0.5 tonnes of carbon-emitting coal.

Samantha Turton, MD of Go 4 Greener, said: “Green is in our name, and we’re always looking for ways to accelerate our journey towards Net Zero and support our customers in doing the same. As our awards success demonstrates, we strive for excellence, and now the ability to turn waste into a commodity on-site will help us to add real value to our customers.

“Historically, the high moisture content of offensive washroom waste meant we had no choice but to dispose of this waste via landfill or EfW incineration. Advetec’s XO22 changes all that. It allows us to stabilise costs in the face of rising EfW gate fees, reduce our carbon emissions and crucially, support our mission to send zero waste to landfill.”

Speaking on behalf of the management team at Go 4 Greener – which consists of Conor Benton – Operations Manager, Tim Richardson – General Manager and Ed Freeman – Finance Director – Benton said: “This new breakthrough of technology is going to be by far one of the biggest stories and revolutions to washroom waste that will be talked about for years to come. From start to finish, working around the clock providing and managing innovative solutions to our waste sector problems, we have finally got the results we need.”

Lee Knott, Advetec’s CEO, said: “Go 4 Greener is building an impressive reputation as a business with a finger on the pulse of waste innovation and sustainability, as this industry-first proves.  Their energy and focus on driving innovation and delivering more to their customers is infectious.  Our technology is a natural fit for such a forward-facing organisation.

“The Advetec XO22 will allow Go 4 Greener to move towards a more circular ethos, diverting waste from landfill and supporting the decarbonisation of heavy industries by turning waste once deemed worthless into a valuable fuel alternative. I’ve no doubt the technology will contribute greatly to their continued success and will be well received by their customers nationwide.”

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Of the fly-tipping incidents in 2022/23, 60 per cent involved household waste (653,000) and the most common place for fly-tips was highways (40 per cent).

Local authorities carried out 536,000 enforcement actions in 2022/23, an increase of 29,000 actions (six per cent) from 507,000 in 2021/22, issuing 73,000 fixed penalty notices (FPNs). London dominated the list of most FPNs with Wandsworth issuing 5,236 through the year – the most of any local authority.

The average court fine increased from £466 in 2021/22 to £526 in 2022/23 but thanks to a drop in fines, the combined value of these fines reduced by six per cent from £837,000 to £785,000.

Diane Crowe, Group Head of Sustainability at circular economy specialist Reconomy, commented: “Fly-tipping is a serious issue facing local communities in this country and this DEFRA data demonstrates how widespread this crime is.

“Fly-tipping can endanger local habitats, damage the environment where waste is dropped and attract pests. The prevalence of fly-tipping also demonstrates the improvements that can be made in our nation’s waste management both in terms of encouraging better habits and developing the infrastructure that can accommodate greater recycling.

“Greater education of the environmental and social impacts of fly-tipping can build awareness that fly-tipping is not a zero or low impact activity. Information about how and where people can safely dispose of waste can also help direct people to the relevant waste management centres, and the importance of proper disposal should be re-iterated.

“Ultimately, fly-tipping slows our journey to a circular economy and inflicts a cost on both the taxpayer and the environment. Working collaboratively we can progress towards eliminating this crime and developing a more sustainable waste management culture in this country.”

For more information on fly-tipping statistics for England 2022 to 2023 and league tables, click here.

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Data reveals that there is a 30 per cent surge in waste production during the Christmas period.  

With many Brits struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and globally facing the challenge of managing the environmental impact of waste – the data reveals the true extent of the waste created during ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.  

The Environmental Toll of Christmas Celebrations:  

1. Christmas Trees: Post-festivities, over 160,000 tonnes of Christmas trees are binned, emitting over 100,000 tonnes of methane gas during decomposition. 
2. Energy Consumption: The energy required to cook the UK’s Brussels sprouts for Christmas could power a home for 2.5 years. 
3. Crackers and Cards: Approximately 39 million Christmas crackers and 75% of Christmas cards end up in landfills each year. 
4. Toy Waste: By spring, almost half (41%) of gifted toys will end up broken and in landfills. 
5. Glass Bottles: Brits discard 9,500 tonnes of glass beer and wine bottles and 34 million champagne/prosecco bottles each Christmas. 
6. Wrapping Paper: The discarded wrapping paper during Christmas would stretch to the moon and back – a staggering 238,855 miles. 
7. Plastic Waste: The plastic waste discarded by Brits during Christmas equals the weight of 76,000 giraffes. 
8. Food Waste: Around 125,000 tonnes of food packaging and 230,000 tonnes of food end up in landfills during the Christmas holidays. 
9. Gifts and Decorations: Brits spend £700 million on unwanted gifts, and the average household spends £185 on decorations, leading to £1.2 million worth of decorations in landfills. 
10. Economic Impact: It costs £26 million to dispose of all the UK’s Christmas waste, with £444 million worth of food wasted each year. 

Discussing the impact of Christmas waste and how it can be reduced, Steve Traviss, Sustainability Expert at Waste Managed said: “The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s essential to recognise the substantial environmental consequences associated with our holiday habits. The increase in waste, particularly during Christmas, is a pressing issue that demands collective attention and action. 

“Individuals, families, and businesses need to be mindful of their consumption and disposal habits during the festive period.  

“By collectively adopting sustainable practices, we can make a significant positive impact on the environment.”

In addition to the alarming figures, Waste Managed is also sharing tips for a greener Christmas:  

1. Eco-friendly gifts: Consider sustainable and meaningful gifts to reduce the likelihood of unwanted presents. 
2. Recycling Christmas cards: Recycle or repurpose Christmas cards to minimise waste. 
3. Reducing food waste: Plan meals carefully, buy only what’s necessary, and use leftovers creatively. 
4. Sustainable decorations: Opt for reusable decorations and consider DIY projects using recycled materials. 
5. Gift wrapping alternatives: Use reusable fabric or eco-friendly wrapping paper to reduce the environmental impact. 
6. Responsible toy choices: Select durable and sustainable toys, promoting a reduction in broken toy waste. 
7. Upcycling Christmas trees: Explore local options for recycling Christmas trees into mulch or compost. 

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