Resource Efficiency

AP Benson can demonstrate a range of skills and experience in the delivery of Resource Efficiency projects. We have undertaken projects spanning: strategic research, market research, development of business plans, assistance in implementation of business plans (project management), procurement support, due diligence, behavioural change and process and systems development.

Projects have been undertaken with WRAP, WRAP Cymru, Zero Waste Scotland, Finance Wales, Community Housing Cymru and the Welsh Government and with a range of community, business and third sector organisations.

Recent projects include:

Capsel Waste Management (CWM):

Assisting in process development and systems implementation at Capsel, a subsidiary of Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA). CWM is a new venture being developed by Capsel to develop a Social Enterprise to undertake the management of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste produced by MHA and then by other customers, seeking to recover value through sale of segregated waste streams while delivering social and community objectives, specifically through the creation of work and training opportunities. Through CWM, MHA intends to reduce substantially the C&D waste it sends to landfill. AP Benson has assisted CWM in the development and documentation of its waste management process, in the development of forms for statutory waste transfers and in-house process documentation and is now working with Capsel to select and implement systems that will improve process recording efficiency and ensure statutory compliance. Current work also involves defining a limited set of waste codes that Capsel will manage and working with waste processing and office staff to ensure these are used consistently.

A re-use processor of ICT equipment:

We were asked by WRAP Cymru to assist a re-use processor/ recycler of ICT equipment based in Wales in reviewing market opportunities in England and Wales and in developing an actionable marketing plan to expand their already successful business.   The project follows from similar work undertaken for businesses in the tyre recycling (Rob Morris), aerospace and subcontract manufacturing sectors and also from work undertaken with a similar social enterprise in which we reviewed and made recommendations in relation to accessible market size, trends and success factors; sources of re-use material; pricing; business models; and competitors.   Recommendations were also based on development and review of a financial model of the business.

Major retailers and re-use processors:

A series of projects were undertaken with WRAP and with John Lewis, Dixons Carphone Group and their re-use processing partners for electrical goods, WasteCare and Envioncom to explore methods for increasing re-use reprocessing of electrical equipment returned to retailers by consumers when purchasing new items.   The project identified that changing the attitude of delivery and warehouse staff to returned items as scrap to understanding of re-use and value recovery led to improved handling of returned items and improved re-use rates.

Other experience and expertise includes:

Energy Efficiency: General Surveys and Recommendation Reports:

• Development of resource efficient business models, waste reduction strategies and work as waste auditors
• Supply chain review and supply chain mapping in the Electrical Goods, Facilities Management and Clothing sectors
• Resource efficiency reviews of Electrical and Electronic Goods & DIY major retailers
• Urban Regeneration and Town Planning work including development of EU low carbon schemes and compliance with EDRF, ESF, SIF and Interreg
• Reviewed of Anaerobic Digestion opportunities and business plans and of the UK market for Cogent
• Work with LEPs across UK on EU Strategic Investment Frameworks, on business planning,& economic analysis
• Net impact reviews of Resource Efficiency East, Renewables East schemes in the East of England
• Management of Resource Efficiency Yorkshire projects, CO2 Sense evaluation of ERDF funded resource efficiency measures
• Management of the team completing the BIS "From Waste Management to Resource Recovery (2011)" report
• Carbon Trust and BREEAM Consultancy work
• Audit of energy efficiency for 3 NHS Trusts
• Engineering lead on CHP and Solar PV projects

Energy Efficiency: General Surveys and Recommendation Reports:

• Researched, developed & implemented resource efficient business models in the EEE, oil and gas sectors, Welsh and Scottish hospitality sectors, textiles and renewables. 
• Advised on, managed & implemented the delivery of several recent projects with ZWS/WRAP including Resource Efficient Business Models projects for WRAP
• Development of bring your own device and pay per use models based on research into industry trends and demands
• ZWS Electrical and Electronic Products Supply Chain Mapping
• WRAP Market Segmentation of the Events Industry
• WRAP Cymru / Remake work on waste management of chromium salts with a surface finishing company
• Implementation of EEE reuse processes with retailers and social housing organisations
• Implementation of systems for dealing with all waste streams, negotiated contracts for sale of card, paper and WEEE
• Implemented hard plastics separation and recovery plant and processes, and food waste AD plants
• Implemented cost reduction solutions for waste processes for liquids, sludge and packaging, management of 1.4 m litres of commissioning material for anaerobic digestion plant
• Project planning for commissioning of 3 anaerobic digestion plants
• Introduced recycling and improved waste management to 95 sites in borough of Ealing
• Provided recycling solutions for organic waste with cost reductions for the client
• Introduction of food waste recycling in a major FM company, created new markets for deep drilling and brewery waste
• Experience with hazardous waste in bulk or drummed, liquid and solid form and experience of the regulations and transportation of this waste

Energy Efficiency: Saving from behavioural measures:

• Experienced working with community groups both rural and urban in waste management and environmental projects on behavioural issues around waste management by companies
• Experience in behavioural matters whilst working with large international clients such as the United Nations, government, local authorities and private companies
• Specialisms include environmental behavioural assessments; waste strategy development and implementation; private sector waste and resource management. 
• Design and implementation of carbon reduction plan for a chain of dry-cleaning operations
• Technical support to Local Authorities on evidence for renewable and low carbon energy generation and lead on behavioural aspects of domestic waste separation

Micro Generation: Anaerobic Digestion:

• Consultant to WRAP, Zero Waste Scotland, WRAP Cymru on resource efficient business models, waste reduction strategies and waste auditor
• Market research, financial modelling, technical due diligence on three AD plants for WRAP and the Accelerating Growth Fund (£500k and £2.5m)
• Market research, financial modelling, technical due diligence for Finance Wales on an AD plant investment (£2m)
• The team contains a consultant who was former manager with Vertal (food waste) and implemented cost reduction solutions for waste processes for liquids, sludge and packaging, management of 1.4 m litres of commissioning material for anaerobic digestion plant
• Project planning for commissioning of 3 anaerobic digestion plants
• Introduced recycling and improved waste management to 95 sites in borough of Ealing

Waste: Prevention, Reuse, High Quality Recycling, Separate Collection:

• Work for WRAP including detailed review of waste collection and recycling firms. 
• C&I and C&D waste compositional analysis with a detailed examination of plastic waste including sources, prices and types of (e.g. rigid/non-rigid) plastic waste
• Development of strategies for expansion of waste collection, an improved separation and processing facilities and advice on landfill diversion
• Work with ICT, aeroengine and tyre recycling businesses on market analysis, development of actionable business expansion and marketing plans and maximising value recovery
• Work with major retailers and recycling and re-use processors on improving take back and re-use processing and value recovery schemes
• Developed recycling solutions for organic waste with cost reductions for the client, created new markets for deep drilling and brewery waste

AP Benson
April 2015