Bug hotel unveiled to celebrate new Household Recycling Centre contract

Peter Strachan (Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment) and Steve Longdon (FCC Operations Director) with the new bug hotel at the Aston Clinton Household Recycling Centre. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire Council)

On Friday 1st April 2022, FCC Environment began a new five-year contract to manage the nine Household Recycling Centres across Buckinghamshire.

To celebrate the the contract, Buckinghamshire Council and FCC Environment have teamed up with a local Men in Sheds group to create bespoke bug hotels to encourage insect life and diversity at all of the Household Recycling Centre sites.

The Household Recycling Centre sites already attract over a million visits a year and handle more than 60,000 tonnes of waste. The new contract is worth £15 million over five years rising to £28.5 million over ten years if the contract is extended.

Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment Buckinghamshire Council, said: ‘It’s been a privilege to take part in the new contract celebration and open the new bug hotel at Aston Clinton Recycling Centre. FCC Environment have consistently demonstrated their dedication to improving reuse, repair and recycling across the county. Buckinghamshire Council looks forward to building on this success over the duration of the new contract.‘

Steve Longdon, FCC Operations Director, said: ‘We have operated the facilities in Buckinghamshire since 2012 and we have worked hard during this time to deliver an exceptional service, so we are delighted to have secured the new contract to provide the ongoing management and operation of the nine Household Recycling Centres.

The new contract will enable us to continue our relationship with Buckinghamshire Council and South Bucks Hospice to embrace new ways of working focusing on the waste prevention, repair and reuse agenda that is vital if we are to meet our Net Zero targets as a nation.‘

Jackie Ward, South Bucks Hospice Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘South Bucks Hospice are thrilled to continue operating the reuse shops at Aston Clinton and High Wycombe Recycling Centres working with FCC Environment to ensure even more of Buckinghamshire’s waste is reused. The new contract not only benefits the environment but also supports the fantastic work of the hospice to provide end-of-life care and family support.‘

Residents have recently expressed their happiness at the level of service provided at the recycling centres. During November and December 2021, 2,238 visitors took part in a customer satisfaction survey. The report was conducted across the nine sites during peak and off-peak times and outlines overall customer satisfaction ratings, what items were brought to the centre, the frequency of customer visits, and key performance indicators such as site cleanliness, queuing, website information, safety advice and procedures.

100% of those interviewed said that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the site staff and service provided at the Household Recycling Centres.

As part of the new contract celebrations, a unique bug hotel has been created at the Aston Clinton Recycling Centre and it has been made entirely from items found on site.

John Downer, FCC Site Operative and budding Repair Café regular, built the bug hotel commenting: ‘It was a pleasure to build FCC’s first bug hotel as it will help conserve local insect life by providing much-needed shelter and protection during the harsh winter months. It will also be a great talking point when local schools visit for a tour of the recycling centre.‘

In addition to the bug hotel at Aston Clinton Household Recycling Centre, a picnic area has also been created for school visits.

Bug hotels will be created at the other recycling centres by Men in Sheds Amersham – a charitable not-for-profit association which promotes men’s health and wellbeing through social interaction and practical activity. The Men’s Shed is a place where men can get together, join in activities, and talk about what’s on their mind. It is a fully equipped workshop where skilled and unskilled men can share time with each other, swap yarns and work together on community projects such as the brilliant bug hotels.

Further information on the Household Recycling Centres in Buckinghamshire can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council website.

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire Council.