MP supports launch of Reconomy’s latest Sustainability Report
Member of Parliament for Telford, Lucy Allan MP, has joined employees of leading Telford-based business, Reconomy, at the launch of its latest Sustainability Report.
Covering the 2018/19 financial year, the report outlines many of Reconomy’s major achievements over the period and reflects its ongoing commitment to fully integrating sustainability into all its activities. In addition to measuring and detailing Reconomy’s progress against its Social, Environmental and Business Value sustainability goals, key highlights from the report also include:
- A commitment to reinvest 1% of profit before tax (PBT) into its social value programme
- 80% of supplier spend with SMEs, generating £70 million worth of social and economic value
- £306,258 of social value delivered in 2018. Our objective is to raise £1m in 2019.
- 32% of employees participating in community volunteering activities
- 100% renewable energy used at Reconomy’s head office
- Zero waste to landfill achieved for over 80% of Reconomy’s Business and Industry (B&I) customers
- 19% reduction in carbon intensity
- £158m revenue achieved (pro forma for 2018).
Reconomy is the UK’s leading provider of outsourced waste management and resource-led services. During a visit to the company’s head office on Stafford Park in Telford, Lucy Allan MP met with senior members of the Reconomy team, together with its sustainability champions, volunteer coordinators and mental health first aiders.
Reconomy’s Chief Executive, Paul Cox, said: “Placing sustainability at the heart of everything we do benefits us, our customers, our suppliers, and the wider community. I firmly believe that the time is right for us to increase our investment in sustainability with a particular focus on creating further social value through our RSVP programme.”
I am delighted that our local Minister for Parliament, Lucy Allan MP, has taken the time from her busy schedule to join us for the launch of our latest Sustainability Report. Our growth as a business is underpinned by our Sustainability Strategy, which has become integral to the way we operate.”
Lucy Allan MP, added: “I am in huge admiration of the work Reconomy are seeking to do in offering internships for care leavers and rehabilitating ex-offenders through work, this company has a clear commitment to social and corporate responsibility which is to be applauded.”
Reconomy’s Social Value Programme (RSVP) is the company’s invitation to its customers and suppliers to join it in increasing its contribution to society by building community relationships, addressing the waste industry’s skills gap and helping those in need to overcome barriers to employment.
Two core elements of this flagship programme are:
Bridging Gaps – currently 30% of people leaving care will be homeless within 6-24 months and 30% of the prison population have been through care. Bridging Gaps supports care leavers by helping them to live independent lives through training, employability and providing work opportunities in the waste and its customers’ sectors.
Breaking Barriers – an inclusive programme designed to help change the lives of vulnerable people including ex-military, ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed. Reconomy is helping pre-release prisoners and ex-offenders through waste-related training, increasing their chances of finding meaningful employment upon release either directly, in their supply chain or customer businesses. The aim is to give ex-offenders another chance, helping to reduce re-offending rates, which are currently around 30%.
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