The Youth Hostel Association appoints SWRnewstar to help improve waste segregation

YHA reappoints SWRnewstar as waste management partner to improve segregation and increase recycling with flexible services to fit seasonal variance in waste and recycling volumes

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is a registered charity that provides accommodation in towns and cities, as well as in the countryside and on the coast. In a bid to increase uniformity in its waste management processes, YHA has appointed SWRnewstar across all of its sites in England and Wales.

Geographically, YHA’s property portfolio is unique. With hostel locations in metropolitan centres, such a London and Manchester through to remote areas like Snowdonia. Where waste management is concerned, each site comes with its own set of challenges. These challenges, coupled with the need for a flexible service, were the key drivers behind YHA sourcing a waste management partner that could improve and implement new ways to segregate waste.

John McGrath at YHA comments: “Waste management can be problematic especially in remote areas that are hard to reach. Seasonal changes create additional complexities, the busiest times of the year across a number of our properties are usually in the summer. This has a direct impact on the waste created. With this in mind, we needed a company that would give us the flexibility to reduce or increase our waste management services accordingly.

“Having previously worked with SWRnewstar we’re confident in its knowledge not only of our business and waste management objectives, but also its deep understanding of the waste supply chain in all of our locations. Since appointing SWRnewstar, we’ve seen immediate benefits. The implementation of Winter changes whereby the frequency of waste collections at specific sites has reduced has achieved significant cost savings. We look forward to working closely with the team on innovative ways to further improve on-site recycling levels and reduce waste.”

In addition to seasonal challenges, many sites throughout YHA have their own processes when it comes to internal waste management, creating inconsistencies in recycling levels. SWRnewstar will work in partnership with YHA to create a waste management campaign that will educate key stakeholders, as well as increase waste segregation and on-site recycling.

Bret Martin at SWRnewstar adds: “We’re delighted to be working with YHA again. The winter changes already implemented will save the charity a projected £10,000 over the next six months. Moving forward, we’ll be focusing on an engagement project to improve on-site recycling and diversion from landfill. The organisation is dedicated to strengthening its commitment to improving recycling and waste reduction. We’re looking forward to supporting the charity in achieving its goals.”