Empowering young people with our first-ever zero waste challenge at Beaconsfield
We recently hosted an innovative engagement challenge at our Beaconsfield Services (M40, J2), designed to give young people first-hand experience and insights into the roles and skills required to deliver a zero-waste economy.
Developed and delivered in collaboration with social value specialist Ahead Partnership, the challenge offered 30 Year 8 students from Cressex Community School the opportunity to boost their knowledge around zero-waste by participating in a range of bespoke activities and improving their wider employability skills.
Alongside Reconomy and Welcome Break, our volunteers took students on a behind-the-scenes tour around the popular service stop, tasking them with reimagining new measures for maximising the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste on site. The students then pitched their solutions to a panel of industry experts from our board as well as Reconomy and Welcome Break’s ESG team.
Our target remains to achieve 100% in the zero-waste index by recycling or reusing 75% of operational waste by 2030. To do so, we’ve implemented internally measures to comply with the government’s simpler recycling guidance such as:
- A dedicated cup recycling scheme, specifically for laminated cups, as their unique composition makes it often difficult to recycle efficiently.
- A front-of-house waste segregation system, replacing all bins in the amenity building with waste drop off zones.
- Guidance for tenants to separate commercial waste and modify packaging to minimise landfill waste.
- Measures to completely eliminate liquids in the bins to avoid spillages and waste contamination.
Michael Grantham, our ESG manager, said: “As a business, we never underestimate the scale of the impact we can make through our ESG initiatives. This pilot represents another step forward in our commitment to creating better outcomes for young people, for our sector, and for the planet – one day at a time.”
Megan Lipp, Head of Growth at Ahead Partnership, said: “It’s so important to equip young people with insights and knowledge that spark their enthusiasm around sustainability, and it’s fantastic to see the commitment that Extra MSA continues to demonstrate by creating stronger pathways into green careers.”
To find out more about Ahead Partnership, visit: https://www.aheadpartnership.org.uk/.