Enveco’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and Ex-Armed Forces Staff

We’re proud to demonstrate our ongoing support for the Armed Forces community through meaningful action, recognition, and inclusion.

We have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a public pledge that underlines our commitment to supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces. As a result, we are now officially listed on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) register and have proudly achieved Bronze ERS membership.

To celebrate this commitment, on 14th August, Enveco hosted a special presentation for our staff who have previously served in the Armed Forces. The event was led by our Chair, Councillor Adrian Hoyle, who also serves as Armed Forces Champion for the Blackpool Council.

The gathering provided a relaxed opportunity for our ex-forces staff to come together, share their stories, and reflect on their service. Councillor Hoyle also presented each team member with a custom Enveco lanyard, designed especially to recognise and honour their time in the Armed Forces.

This event is not a one-off. Going forward, we will be hosting quarterly gatherings to bring together Ex-Forces staff, fostering a strong internal community where veterans can feel connected and supported.

Additionally, we’ve embedded our Covenant and ERS pledges into our day-to-day operations. These include:

  • Covenant and ERS logos proudly displayed on our company website and in all staff email signatures
  • A welcoming and inclusive culture that recognises the valuable skills and experiences veterans bring to our team

We’re committed to ensuring that the values of the Armed Forces Covenant are lived out in our organisation, not just in words, but in actions. Whether it’s through dedicated events, visible recognition, or fostering peer support, Enveco NW is proud to stand with our Armed Forces community.

We extend our sincere thanks to all those who have served, and we look forward to continuing this important journey together.

Enveco NW Hosts Their First-Ever Thank You Event to Celebrate Blackpool’s Volunteers

On Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Enveco NW hosted their first “Thank You” event at the Blackpool Football Club, celebrating the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time to ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’. Over 140 attendees gathered for an afternoon of recognition and appreciation.

Enveco’s 250 dedicated employees work across a range of services. These include Parks and Grounds Maintenance, Street Cleansing, Domestic and Commercial Waste Collection, Blackpool Council and Enveco’s Fleet Maintenance, Pest Control, Building Cleaning, and the management of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). The volunteers who were celebrated at the event play a vital role in ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’.

The afternoon began with a presentation showcasing images of volunteers in action—picking up litter, maintaining public spaces, and supporting local initiatives. Diane Farley, Enveco’s Neighborhood Officer, took the stage to express her gratitude to the volunteers for their continuous efforts. She was joined by the Chair of Enveco’s Board, Councillor Adrian Hoyle, who also offered heartfelt thanks, underscoring the vital role that volunteers play.

A memorable highlight was the first appearance of Enveco’s Keep Blackpool Tidy Mascot. The mascot, which promotes responsible waste disposal, was well-received by the crowd, adding a fun and engaging touch to the afternoon. The mascot’s debut was a perfect symbol of Enveco’s efforts to combine education, community involvement, and environmental stewardship.

As part of the celebration, attendees were treated to a tour of the Blackpool Football Club grounds. This special tour was a bonus for everyone, allowing them to connect further with the town’s local culture and landmarks.

This event was a reminder of the power of community engagement. The volunteers’ hard work is essential to adding sparkle to the town.

Enveco’s Managing Director, John Hawkin, said: “We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers for their commitment to ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’. This event was a way of showing our appreciation and celebrating their efforts”.

Enveco looks forward to continuing its collaboration with volunteers and residents to ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’ and from our team we want to say a big THANK YOU for all you do!

Take a look at the pictures from the afternoon by clicking HERE. 

Conclusion of the 2024/25 Bag It, Bin It Campaign

Continuing the Fight Against Dog Fouling in Blackpool: Bag It, Bin It Campaign 2024/2025

As we conclude the second year of the Bag It, Bin It campaign, we reflect on the progress made in addressing the ongoing issue of dog fouling across Blackpool. Launched in partnership with Blackpool Council, the campaign has raised awareness, encouraged responsible dog ownership, and made significant strides in improving community engagement. The team’s continued focus on tackling dog fouling, especially during the darker months when incidents tend to rise, has shown meaningful results.

This year, 502 stencils were deployed throughout the town, reminding dog owners to “Bag It, Bin It,” while over 150 posters were placed in key locations to further reinforce the message. In addition to these visible reminders, we saw a remarkable increase in community participation. Over 500 ‘you have done the right thing’ cards were distributed, giving the responsible dog walkers a chance to enter a competition. The number of cards uploaded online rose to 101, an impressive increase from the previous year.

These efforts reflect a significant uptake in engagement, demonstrating that residents are becoming more mindful of their responsibilities when walking dogs. 3 warnings were issued this year, highlighting our commitment to educating the public and ensuring compliance. While the number of penalties remained low, this aligns with the intention to foster a culture of responsibility rather than relying on punitive measures.

The “Do the Right Thing” competition returned this year to reward responsible dog walkers. Winners are celebrated each month, receiving prizes such as a month’s supply of dog food. The competition not only acknowledges responsible behavior but also helps to inspire others to follow suit.

The challenge remains in continuing to educate and raise awareness. To that end, we continue to use street stencils as a visible tool to reinforce the campaign’s message and encourage responsible dog ownership.

As we wrap up the 2024/2025 campaign, we are proud of the progress made. The success of Bag It, Bin It reflects the power of community collaboration. While there’s still work to be done, we remain committed to reducing dog fouling and maintaining clean streets in Blackpool. By working together, we can continue to “Bag It, Bin It” and create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.

Enveco Launches Vape Recycling Initiative at Blackpool’s Household Waste Recycling Centre

We are excited to announce the launch of a vape recycling initiative at the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), marking an important step forward in managing waste from single-use vapes.

The HWRC team has been actively exploring ways to manage and recycle the growing volume of vape waste. After considerable research and efforts, they discovered a cost-effective solution following discussions with a Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) provider. In response, Enveco’s HWRC applied to the producer-funded scheme, resulting in Wastecare, a leading waste management company based in Widnes, being selected to handle vape recycling. The Wastecare solution is fully funded from the producer-funded scheme, ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective approach for Blackpool residents.

The recycling process is simple and efficient. Residents can drop off their used vapes at the HWRC, where they will be safely stored in a specially provided receptacle. This ensures the safe disposal and recycling of vapes, reducing the environmental impact of these products.

Whilst it’s too early to estimate the total volume of vape waste, Enveco is optimistic that this initiative will provide a sustainable solution as demand for recycling increases, particularly with the government’s move towards a ban on single-use vapes.

Councillor Adrian Hoyle, Chair of the Enveco Board said:

“This is a significant step forward in vape waste management, benefiting both the environment and Blackpool. Enveco remains committed in providing innovative waste solutions and continues to seek new ways to improve recycling programs for the residents of Blackpool.”

Are you ready for the Christmas/Winter season?

To help, we have some important updates, helpful tips, and seasonal reminders to make your waste disposal and recycling efforts even easier during the festive season and beyond.

Green Waste

The Green Waste Service will have the usual winter break between the 22nd of November 2024 to the 17th of January 2025.

Christmas Tree Collection

Like previous years, the Trinity Hospice Charity will be collecting used Christmas Trees. If you would like your tree collected (for a small donation), please visit Trinity Hospice for details.

Winter Waste Collection Changes

To check your current waste collection day please click this link.

 

Winter and Post-Christmas Recycling Tips for Blackpool Residents

As the colder months and Christmas celebrations approach it’s important to stay mindful of how we handle our waste.

At Enveco NW, we’re committed to helping you recycle efficiently this winter. Here are some handy tips to make sure you’re doing your part for our environment:

Correct Use of Bins: Please ensure you’re using the right bins for your waste.

To help take a look at our BRAND NEW waste guide in the image below, which has been created with Makaton Symbols’*.

* Makaton is a communication programme that is increasingly used by people with communication difficulties to aid communication.

Wrapping Paper and Cards: Not all festive wrapping paper can be recycled. Avoid foil or glittery paper—stick to plain, non-laminated paper that can go in your brown sack.

Excess Packaging: With the increase in online deliveries, please remember to flatten and break down your cardboard boxes before placing them in your brown sack to make space for everyone’s recycling.

2. Unwanted Gifts and Items: If you have gifts you don’t need or items in good condition, consider donating them to our local Re-use Shop or a local charity. This helps reduce waste and supports the community.

3. Food Waste: During Christmas, food waste can increase significantly. Try to avoid overbuying and use leftovers creatively. If you do have unavoidable food waste, ensure it’s disposed of in your grey lidded bin.

By recycling thoughtfully and reusing where possible, we can all make a big difference this winter. Together, let’s Keep Blackpool Tidy and green throughout the festive season!

Keeping Blackpool Tidy with the help of the Environment Agency

Enveco NW Environmental Services Hosts The Second Annual Litter-Picking Event for Environment Agency Employees

This June, dedicated employees of the Environment Agency took to Blackpool’s beach and promenade to help Keep Blackpool Tidy from litter. Enveco’s street cleansing service diligently cleans the beach every morning from 6am, but due to the resort attracting a high footfall of visitors litter builds up throughout the day. The help from these events and Enveco’s valued volunteers adds an extra sparkle to Blackpool’s streets and town.

After a high tide, unusual items are often found on the beach, and this year was no exception, with the team discovering a large trowel and old metal buckets. The Environment Agency employees receive two volunteering days per year, and they have chosen litter picking again as they feel it’s crucial to the environment to keep it litter-free. Despite the wind, the team managed to collectively pick 72.5 kilograms of rubbish.

Enveco NW is proud to host this annual event, which not only benefits the local community but also demonstrates the Environment Agency’s commitment to environmental stewardship. If you would like to organise a company litter pick, email enquiries@enveconw.co.uk today – Or, if you want to become a part of the Keep Blackpool Tidy community,

If you want to a organise a company litter pick email enquires@enveconw.co.uk today. Or do you want to become apart of the Keep Blackpool Tidy community? Find out how today and go to the official Keep Blackpool Tidy page today.

Keep up-to-date with the latest Blackpool environmental campaigns and news by following socials today @EnvecoBlackpool.

Blackpool’s Pavement and Carriageway Weed Treatment!

Enveco are contracted by Blackpool Council to deliver a street cleansing service, including the management of weeds, across the town.

Enveco deal with weeds on council land (public realm), which covers roads, footpaths, parks and open spaces. The primary aim is to prevent problem weeds that compromise drainage systems, cause damage to highway and footpath surfaces, damage/interfere with structures, e.g., walls, or reduce visibility of signage and ensure weeds do not pose a health and safety risk for users of roads and footpaths. Weeds left untreated can cause slip/trip hazards and may cause obstructions on footpaths, forcing people to avoid and potentially move onto roads.

An integrated weed management plan is adopted that, combined with street cleansing activities, ensures a year-round approach is taken and does not just focus on killing of weeds through chemical treatment. The frequency of mechanical sweeping on highways has been increased to ensure road gulleys/kerb edges are kept clear of detritus to reduce opportunities for weed growth. All residential areas have both street and footpath mechanical sweeping scheduled throughout the year; again, this reduces the buildup of detritus, which can create seed beds for new weed growth, and regular sweeping clears the buildup of dead weeds.

Monthly street inspection surveys identify problem areas, in particular the growth of mares tail, which is resistant to chemical treatment and will direct staff to manually remove weeds.

The above approach is ensuring a reduction in the use of pesticides, though, as we do not have a viable alternative at present continue to use a glyphosate-based herbicide. This type of herbicide is known as a non-residual translocated herbicide. Glyphosate is used because it is the safest and most effective herbicide that is available and certified for use in amenity situations. It is neutralised in contact with soil and has very low toxicity to humans, animals, and insects, and is widely used by many local authorities across the country.

Weed treatment spraying commences in Spring (April/May) when weeds have started to grow, as the herbicide is only effective when sprayed on a plant because residual weed treatment chemicals aren’t used, which ‘poison’ the soil. A second spray then takes place in Summer (July/August) on remaining weeds/new growth to prolong the effectiveness of treatment.

Residents can help maintain weed-free streets and reduce the use of chemicals by clearing weeds that may have grown in front of their property or haven’t been treated due to parked cars preventing access manually.

The parks and open spaces team have reduced the use of chemicals to control weeds and is phasing out the use around tree bases and park furniture.

The Blackpool Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy has also encouraged the increase of areas left in a more natural state, so areas are not being mown or treated to encourage greater biodiversity.

We hope this information is useful, and for regular updates on street cleansing operations and weed treatments, please follow our Facebook account: @envecoblackpool, where we will post information on planned treatment dates.

 

Blackpool’s HWRC Heroes rescue car keys from the skip!

A Blackpool resident used the Household Waste Recycling Centre and unintentionally threw his car keys into a skip. In addition to being kind and efficient, the staff members went above and beyond to retrieve the keys.

Max Speakman of Blackpool visited the Household Waste Recycling Centre on January 29th. During the visit he unfortunately misplaced his car keys in the skip, while discarding the waste. When the visitor returned to his unlocked car and couldn’t find his keys he realised immediately – out of concern he went straight to an HWRC staff member for assistance. This occurred two minutes before the site was scheduled to close.

That day, every employee participated in the effort to find the missing keys. The team and the resident decided to call it a night after 30 minutes of nonstop searching in the rain. The Site Manager and Assistant Manager arranged for the unlocked vehicle to be left on site overnight, with security monitoring the vehicle until the keys could be found. In a panic, the resident returned home and began researching companies where he could purchase new car keys. He anticipated having to pay about £450.00 for replacements.

The following morning the Site Manager devised a strategy. He realised the most efficient way to look for the missing keys would be to arrange for the skip to be taken to the Layton Depot to be tipped out. The manager then contacted the resident to ask if he was happy with the plan – the resident was over the moon and was very pleased when the site manager said this would be done free of charge. The Assistant Manager and other HWRC staff members went to the Depot to sort through the waste, by 10:00am the keys had been found.

A great success and effort from all those involved.

The girlfriend of Max Speakman said:

“Honestly honestly honestly can’t thank all the workers enough – they went above and beyond and saved my grateful partner a lot of money. They didn’t have to do any of that and the fact that they did restored our faith in humanity”.

 

Memorial Stones Rescued from Marton Methodist Church Before Demolition!

The Fylde Memorial Arboretum aims to find family members of 8 memorial stones saved from demolition.  

Steve Harvey, Enveco’s grounds maintenance gardener noticed that Marton Methodist church was due for demolition. From spending many days with his family at the church he remembered the section of memorial stones. Concerned about what would happen to the stones, Steve Harvey reached out to the new owners of the church who stated the stones would be saved to keep the memories of families and veterans alive. Steve Harvey then contacted the Volunteering Manager, Chairman of the Fylde Ex-service Liaison Committee, Paul Binns, and Volunteering Labourer, Captain John Jones from Fylde Memorial Arboretum Community Woodland about the memorials.

One of the stones is a memorial tablet, inscribed with 38 names of local men who were killed during the First World War between 1914 to 1918. It was decided the tablet would be placed in a suitable setting at the arboretum. Enveco’s grounds maintenance team placed the stone in a tastefully decorated area that Captain John Jones had created with stones and a handcrafted memorial statue. Everyone who was involved did a fantastic job.

However, it didn’t stop there, as part of the rescue, Steve Harvey managed to retrieve 8 additional memorial stones and handed them to the Arboretum for safekeeping. They aim to return these to family members. Can you help? Below are the names of these additional stones that are looking to be returned to family members:

  • The Leeming Family
  • Mr and Mrs J.R. Cookson
  • John and Emma Parkinson
  • Mr and Mrs John Hallam
  • Mr John W Cardwell
  • Mr W Carr
  • Thomas and Betty Cardwell (of Cropper)
  • Elizabeth and Howorth
  • Mrs E.D. Denbigh

Can you help get these stones to the right people? If so, please email marketing@enveconw.co.uk for more details.

Jez Evans Operations director from Enveco NW Said:

”Steve’s commitment to pursue the safekeeping of memorial stones when Marton Methodist Church was sold, cannot be understated to preserve the names of Blackpool residents who lost their lives in the Great War. Enveco and Blackpool Council have a strong relationship with the Fylde Memorial Arboretum volunteers who tirelessly maintain the community woodland and would encourage anyone to consider supporting this ‘Green Space Asset’”.

The beautiful space at the Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland was founded by Don Aiken, a D-Day Veteran, the 5.5-acre site contains a range of young trees as a living memorial to remember fallen comrades and loved ones. If you love the outdoors and are interested in meeting like-minded people – They are looking for volunteers! To find out more about volunteering opportunities email paul-binns@sky.com.

 

 

 

 

7 ways to recycle, or donate unwanted Christmas presents

After the busy festive time, there may be a temptation for a big New Year clear out. We get it, but it’s important to take a bit more time with the clearing to make sure used wrapping paper, and unwanted gifts, are not unnecessarily going to landfills.

So, we have compiled a list of our top 7 tips that may help you with your January clean:

1.RE-GIFTING

Did you get a gift that’s not your style, well if so why not re-gift it for to that friend who you know will love it or why not arrange a mutual swap of unwanted Christmas presents with a friend or family member?

2.TAKE UNWANTED HOUSEHOLD GIFTS TO YOUR LOCAL REUSE SHOP

Located at the far end of our Household Waste Recycling Centre, is a great little shop. Which accepts donations and stops fit-for-purpose items from going into landfills, in turn helps the circular economy. Click here to find what you can and can’t take…

3.CHARITY SHOPS

There are so many great charity shops around, which are created to help important causes, so if there is a charity close to your heart, why not take your unwanted items there for someone else to find joy in them?

But let’s not forget that not everything can be donated. The British Red Cross, which operates hundreds of charity stores around the United Kingdom, has a list of goods that they are unable to accept, they consist of:

  • electric fires
  • medication
  • objects that can be used as weapons
  • bicycles
  • prescription glasses
  • children’s clothes with drawstring hoods
  • used Moses baskets or cots

4. DONATE OLD STAMPS

Save your used postage stamps from Christmas cards and gifts and gift them to organisations to repurpose them to make revenue.

Because they are sold per weight, used stamps can be converted into cash to support the ongoing operations of numerous charities. To donate, just clip off the stamp, leaving about 1cm of envelope bordering the stamp, and take them to a local charity which accepts them as donations.

Or you can collect stamps for RNIB and make a difference to blind and partially sighted people, to learn more about this charity click here.

5. DONATE CLOTHES AND BLANKETS TO THE HOMELESS

Giving away warm clothes and essentials to the homeless or the people residing in local homeless shelters is an additional extremely valuable choice. Make a wardrobe purge, or if you received any extra blankets, giant jumpers, hats, scarves, or socks for Christmas this year that you don’t wear, donate them to a good cause and help keep the homeless warm this winter.

If you have any concerns and have identified a rough sleeper, you can telephone Blackpool Council direct on 01253 477765 or email them at HSAT@blackpool.gov.uk.

6. RECYCLE

Recycle more than just your used Christmas cards and empty bottles/cans.  When it comes to cleaning up after the festivities consider how any of the packaging you received for Christmas this year can be recycled appropriately.

Take a look at our helpful what goes in your bin guide.

7. DONATE TOYS TO A CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

If your children’s have too many gifts or something that wasn’t the ideal fit for them, you can give away unwanted toys to a local hospice or children’s hospital.