Raising the Green Flag A Win for Blackpool’s Parks, and for the Teams Who Care for Them

At Enveco, we take pride in keeping Blackpool’s parks and green spaces thriving. That’s why we’re delighted to celebrate the news that seven of our parks have received the Green Flag Award for 2025.

This includes:

• Anchorsholme Park
• Crossland Park
• Kingscote Park
• Stanley Park
• Watson Road Park

And two retaining their awards from last year:

• Devonshire Road Rock Gardens
• Highfield Road

As a wholly owned Blackpool Council company which is responsible for grounds maintenance, our teams are out – rain, shine, or snow – mowing, planting, pruning, litter picking, and ensuring parks are welcoming for everyone. We know that beautiful green spaces don’t happen by accident. It takes planning, consistency, and genuine care.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to:

• The Parks Service at Blackpool Council, who guide the vision and standards behind these achievements.
• The dedicated Friends of Groups, whose volunteer work, events, and community spirit bring each park to life.
• And of course, to our very own grounds maintenance teams, who bring energy and professionalism to every task.

This achievement is proof of the power of partnership, between Blackpool Council, dedicated Friends of groups, and our hardworking Enveco GM teams.

Enveco’s Chair, Councillor Adrian Hoyle said: 

“I’m incredibly proud that seven of Blackpool’s parks have won Green Flag Awards this year. It’s a true reflection of the quality, care, and commitment that goes into maintaining our green spaces. “Congratulations to Anchorsholme Park, Crossland Park, Kingscote Park, Stanley Park, and Watson Road Park on achieving this recognition. I’d also like to commend Devonshire Road Rock Gardens and Highfield Road for successfully retaining their awards from last year. “These achievements highlight the strength of the partnership between Blackpool Council, the dedicated Friends of groups, and our hardworking Enveco Grounds Maintenance team, whose year-round efforts help ensure our parks remain clean, welcoming, and enjoyed by all.”

Councillor Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader (Place) and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: 

“To receive Green Flag Awards for all seven of our entries is a fantastic achievement for Blackpool and a testament to the incredible teamwork and community pride that goes into looking after our parks. “We are very proud of our green spaces and the strength of the partnerships we’ve built with local volunteers and organisations. “A huge thank you and well done to everyone who contributes to making these parks places we can all enjoy. “This is a fantastic achievement for Blackpool and a testament to the incredible teamwork and community pride that goes into looking after our parks.”

Gaining this prestigious recognition shows just how powerful collaborative working can be in delivering clean, safe, and vibrant green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Thank you to everyone who helps make Blackpool’s parks something to be proud of.

Read more about this fantastic achievement on the Blackpool Council Website. 

 

Paul Preston Retires After 41 Years of Dedicated Service

Paul Preston began his journey with Blackpool Council in September 1984, fresh out of school and full of enthusiasm (and hair, he jokes).

Starting as an admin clerk based at the Layton Depot, he was made permanent on 10th December 1984. For the first few years, Paul worked in administration until 1987, when he transitioned to the stores department, where his natural flair for numbers began to shine. Remarkably, he can still recall product codes from 40 years ago.

Following this, Paul joined the Illuminations team in a similar administrative role. Alongside the day job, he took on some fun perks too—like dressing up as the Switch-On Clown! He fondly remembers Thursday nights out in Blackpool with colleagues.

In 1990, Paul returned to the admin office at the depot before moving into HR in 1992, working under Richard Nulty. His career continued to grow, and in 1997, he was promoted to manage the wages office.

Later, Paul joined the Street Cleansing team as a supervisor. This marked a major change in his routine—shifting from a traditional Monday-to-Friday role to a four days on, four days off rota, with on-call responsibilities during his days off. This was also when his long-standing working relationship with Jez Evans began.

In 2001, during the implementation of the Best Value Review, Paul returned to a Monday-to-Friday schedule and became the Technical Officer. He was later promoted to Street Scene Area Manager in 2005.

By 2010, the Council was facing budget pressures, leading to the integration of street cleansing, highways, and grounds maintenance into the Neighbourhoods team. It was a tough time for many. Paul faced his own challenges—the demands of the role, the passing of his father, and the birth of his daughter—but credits the support of Mark Anderson for helping him through.

In 2015, with services reorganised once more under Jez Evans, further budget cuts were made—reducing the budget to a third of its previous amount. Despite this, Jez worked tirelessly to protect jobs. Paul’s role expanded significantly, taking on responsibility for alley gates, pest control, office moves, dog wardens, and enforcement in 2020.

That same year, on a quiet Friday afternoon, Paul received a phone call from Jez Evans:
“Paul, I may want you to become the manager for the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) —there’s someone else I’m considering too.” It probably won’t be you’.

Monday morning the phone rang and Jez said ‘Can you manage the HWRC.’

Paul has managed the HWRC for the past five years, achieving some incredible milestones:

• Creating employment opportunities through partnerships with organisations like The Prince’s Trust and Project Search
• Overseeing the successful Reuse Shop, which has increased its sales year-on-year
• Reaching an impressive 77% recycling rate
• Leading the team to win ‘Team of the Year’ at the Keep Britain Tidy Awards

Reflecting on his remarkable career, Paul simply says:

“It’s gone in the blink of an eye.”

Thank you, Paul for all you have done – we wish you a very happy retirement.

Take a look as some great images from Paul’s last day HERE! 

Happy retirement to Jez Evans: Celebrating 43 Years of Service to Blackpool

Last week marked a significant milestone in Blackpool’s environmental journey as we bid a fond farewell to Jez Evans, Enveco’s Operational Director, after an incredible 43 years of dedicated public service.

On Friday, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate Jez’s remarkable career and wish his a very happy retirement.

Together, —sharing stories, fond memories, and heartfelt well wishes. His leadership, legacy, and lasting impact on the community will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed.

A Career Spanning Four Decades
Jez began his career in 1982 as a Commercial Waste Administration Clerk at Blackpool Council.

Over the years, he played a vital role across a wide range of services including:

• Rates and Revenues
• Blackpool Zoo (when it was council-owned)
• Printing and Stationery
• Environmental Health

But it was within environmental services that Jez truly made his mark, becoming a driving force behind many of the town’s most important and innovative projects.

Key Achievements
Jez led or contributed to a number of standout projects and initiatives, including:

• The introduction of CMS (Cleansing Monitoring System), which later evolved into the national indicators Best Value 199 and NI 195
• Managing the transformation of Layton Depot into a waste transfer station for Blackpool, Wyre, and Fylde’s green and recyclable waste
• Overseeing the successful reintroduction of Blackpool’s domestic waste collection service after 20 years of private contract delivery
• Leading the smooth transfer of all street scene services to Enveco
• Acting as Head of Public Protection during a crucial 12-month transitional period

Perhaps his greatest achievement? Leading Blackpool’s Street Scene services through a period of austerity, maintaining exceptional standards with a committed and hardworking team—delivering well beyond expectations.

Jez Reflects on His Career
We asked Jez to share a few words as he embarks on his well-earned retirement:

“I have had a great career and will always be grateful to all the colleagues I worked alongside—many of whom go above and beyond every day. Blackpool Council and its leadership over the past 10 years have been remarkable, especially given the financial challenges faced (which are often quickly forgotten). To witness the current transformation and future aspirations of the town shows a clear vision—one that will maintain Blackpool’s success as the best seaside town in the country. That resilience perfectly reflects our town’s motto: Progress. I’m proud of my contribution to delivering essential services and leave with full confidence that the team at Enveco will continue to succeed for the residents and visitors of Blackpool.”

Thank You, Jez
From all of us—thank you, Jez, for your unwavering commitment, passion, and service. Your legacy will continue to inspire the work we do every day.

All the best to Blackpool’s very own Chief Litter Picker, Jez Evans!

Take a look at the great pictures of the farewell afternoon HERE.

Enveco Hosts First-Ever Blackpool Beach Litter Pick Marathon in Partnership with SEA LIFE Centre Blackpool

On Tuesday 6th May, Enveco NW hosted our first-ever Blackpool Beach Litter Pick Marathon, in proud partnership with SEA LIFE Centre Blackpool—and what a success it was!

Over 170 incredible volunteers joined us across four key coastal locations, collecting litter from Blackpool’s beautiful beach. From families to community groups and local businesses, the turnout and enthusiasm was truly inspiring.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the day possible, including:

• Councillor Jane Hugo Cabinet member for climate change and Chair of Enveco’s Board, Councillor Adrian Hoyle for showing their support and getting stuck in

• Tesco, for not only taking part but also kindly donating water for our volunteers

• All the local businesses, community members, residents and visitors who joined in and rolled up their sleeves

• And of course, our amazing Enveco team, whose dedication and coordination ensured the event ran smoothly

This was more than just a clean-up—it was a community coming together to protect and preserve Blackpool’s coastline. A massive achievement in our ongoing mission to Keep Blackpool Tidy.

Stay tuned for more events like this—and if you missed out this time, we’d love to see you at the next one!

Councillor Jane Hugo, cabinet member for climate change said:

“I am really pleased to have been invited to be part of this event and appreciate the huge support from the local community and businesses. This litter pick is a brilliant event to encourage people to keep the beach clean and tidy.  It also helps emphasise the importance of protecting the marine life and the sea from pollution as the sea plays a vital part of climate regulation.”

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

The UK’s new recycling legislation is already in effect, and businesses must prepare for significant changes.

A Guide to Simpler Recycling for Businesses: Enveco NW Can Help!

Under the Simpler Recycling rules introduced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), all businesses and non-household premises with 10 or more full-time employees must separate recyclable materials from general waste by 31st March 2025. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to start planning!

What’s Changing in Waste Management?

From 31st March 2025, businesses with 10 or more full-time employees will need to ensure they separate their recyclables and food waste from their general waste. This is part of a national push to reduce landfill waste and improve recycling across the UK.

By 2026, local authorities will also be required to collect all recyclable waste streams from households. Smaller businesses (those with fewer than 10 employees) have until March 2027 to comply, but there’s no need to wait – Enveco NW can help you get ahead of the game today!

How We Can Help Your Business Stay Compliant

We provided a tailored waste collection services designed to help businesses meet these new regulations with ease. Our food waste, recycling, and general waste collection services ensure your business stays compliant, while contributing to the UK’s circular economy.

One of the key benefits of signing up for Enveco’s food waste collection service is the access to communication resources that will guide your team on proper waste disposal practices. This support is vital in ensuring your business maintains efficient and environmentally-friendly waste management systems.

Get Ahead with Our Waste Services

We are committed to making waste management as simple as possible for businesses of all sizes.

By choosing us, you ensure that your business stays ahead of the curve, avoids potential fines, and plays a role in creating a more sustainable future.

Ready to Take Action?

Want to learn more about how we can help your business stay compliant with the new regulations?

Fill out the enquiry form by clicking this link to request a visit from their Waste Liaison Officer.

Don’t wait until the last minute – ensure your business is prepared for the future of waste management today!

Keep Blackpool Tidy: A Year in and a New Push for a Cleaner Town

Since its launch in December 2023, the Keep Blackpool Tidy campaign has made significant strides in improving the cleanliness and appearance of our town.

Originally launched by Blackpool Council in 2016 in collaboration with Keep Britain Tidy, the campaign has now expanded under the guidance of Enveco to include a comprehensive street scene focus. The goal is simple: to encourage Blackpool residents and visitors to take pride in the town by binning litter, reporting environmental issues, and getting actively involved in keeping Blackpool clean.

This year, we’re bringing even more attention to the campaign, with an added push as we head into the brighter nights of spring and summer. Our expanded campaign encourages everyone to take the Keep Blackpool Tidy Pledge, become a Keep Blackpool Tidy volunteer, and remain aware of the environmental fines in place for offences like littering, fly-tipping, and graffiti.

The campaign’s core message is clear: ‘Bin It, Report It, Together, Lets Sort It’. Whether you’re picking up litter as you walk through town, reporting issues like graffiti or fly-tipping, your actions make a difference. By joining forces with Enveco and Blackpool Council, we are amplifying the efforts of those who already contribute and reaching out to those who may not yet be aware of the impact they can have.

How You Can Get Involved:

1. Take the Pledge: Show your commitment to a cleaner Blackpool by signing up for the Keep Blackpool Tidy Pledge. This is a simple way to take responsibility and show your dedication to helping us improve the town’s appearance.
2. Volunteer: Our volunteer community is growing, and we’re always looking for more people to lend a hand. Whether you want to organize a local clean-up or simply join an existing team, your time and effort can help make a big impact.
3. Report Issues: We rely on the community to report environmental issues such as littering, fly-tipping, and graffiti. Together, we can address these problems before they escalate.

Since our launch, we’ve already seen a fantastic response from the people of Blackpool. Residents, local businesses, and volunteers have all played a vital part in maintaining the town’s beauty. But we’re not stopping here – we want to continue building on these efforts and encourage more people to get involved.

Enveco and Blackpool Council will continue to provide visible reminders through posters, radio ads, and an online presence to keep the message top of mind.

Together, we can ensure that Blackpool remains a clean, welcoming place for both residents and visitors. So let’s keep up the momentum – take the pledge, volunteer, and help us make Blackpool the best it can be. #GetInvolved and let’s Keep Blackpool Tidy!

Enveco Launches Bertie as Mascot for Keep Blackpool Tidy Campaign

We’re excited to introduce Bertie, the new face of Enveco’s ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’ campaign. Bertie, a friendly and fun-loving dog mascot, is here to promote responsible dog ownership and inspire Blackpool’s residents, especially the younger generation, to take pride in their town. Bertie is set to become a well-loved ambassador for the campaign.

Bertie’s arrival is a major milestone for Enveco’s ongoing ‘Bag It, Bin It’ initiative, which plays a vital role in the ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’ campaign. This year-round effort encourages dog owners to always carry bags and clean up after their pets. The goal is simple: ensure that our streets, parks, and beaches stay clean for everyone to enjoy. While the ‘Bag It, Bin It’ campaign is a year-round initiative, we are especially active during the darker months, from October to January. During this period, Enveco runs a special competition that gives responsible dog walkers a chance to win a FREE month’s supply of dog food if they’re spotted carrying bags to pick up dog waste.

Although the idea of a mascot was developed by Enveco as part of the campaign, it was one of Blackpool’s own young residents who gave Bertie his name. Eva Mawdsley, a dedicated local who noticed a rise in dog fouling in her area, took action to address the problem. Last year, she reached out to her local Councillor, Paul Galley, with a proposal to install a bin. Eva included a map indicating the ideal location for the bin in her correspondence, which prompted Councillor Galley to act swiftly and enlist Enveco’s help in inspecting the area. They quickly discovered that if a bin was placed where suggested, it could result in obstructions to the pedestrians. Enveco’s officers and Eva devised a plan and marked the location with a ‘Bag It, Bin It’ stencil.

Eva’s commitment to keeping Blackpool tidy didn’t go unnoticed. Enveco was so impressed with her determination that they nominated her for the Keep Britain Tidy awards. Despite tough competition, Eva’s passion for reducing dog fouling and promoting a cleaner environment earned her the Young Litter Legend certificate. This well-deserved recognition highlights her outstanding efforts to make her community cleaner and greener.

On 10th March 2025, Eva was invited to meet the mascot and collect her certificate. Eva not only gave Bertie his name but also created a slogan: “Bag It, Bin It with Bertie in Blackpool.” This slogan will help to reinforce the campaign’s message.

Bertie’s introduction is a new and exciting chapter for the ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’ campaign.

Enveco is proud to continue supporting Blackpool in its mission to keep the town clean, and we’re excited to see how Bertie will help motivate everyone to get involved.

To learn more about Eva’s story, visit Junior Blackpool Resident Tackling Dog Fouling.