Welcome Break, the motorway service operator, has been shortlisted for the Retail/Service Sector Recycler of the Year award at this year’s National Recycling Awards. These awards recognise and highlight the excellence and innovation present throughout the recycling and resource management industries today.
This recognition is perfectly timed for Welcome Break as it makes operating in a greener way a key priority for the business. Welcome Break goes up against nine other renowned companies in this category, including Marks & Spencer, Birmingham Airport and Mitie Waste & Environmental Services, and the John Lewis Partnership.
Dramatically reduced volume of waste
Caring for the environment is an important consideration for Welcome Break, and it is the first motorway services operator to put into practice and embrace recycling to its full potential. Welcome Break segregates all waste generated within its brands, including Starbucks, Waitrose, Papa Johns, Harry Ramsden’s and Subway, which has dramatically reduced the volume of waste that was previously being sent to landfill. This new way of handling waste has been embraced by all areas of the business and is being demonstrated across the estate.
Customer engagement
Customer engagement with recycling has increased thanks to on-site car park bins, and Welcome Break has also designed and rolled out, with the help of market-leading environmental product manufacturer Glasdon, new customer recycling and clearing stations within its service stations.
A huge priority for the business
Rod McKie, CEO of Welcome Break, commented: “We’re thrilled to have reached the final for this award, and hope to inspire other motorway service operators to follow in our footsteps. It was a record-breaking year for entries and we’re up against some tough competitors, but are confident that we have what it takes – we consider recycling a huge priority for our business, and winning this award would recognise our dedication to the on-going task of reducing the waste we send to landfill.”
About Welcome Break
Welcome Break is one of the UK’s leading independent motorway service operators, and has over 27 sites across the UK. Formed in 1959, Welcome Break now has over 50 years’ experience in the sector and attracts 80 million motorway customers a year. Welcome Break employs more than 4500 team members who offer its customers world class hospitality and retail brands such as Waitrose, Starbucks, Harry Ramsden’s, KFC and Burger King in a friendly and relaxing environment.
It has recently announced a new partnership with the world’s largest specialist sandwich provider, Subway, and branches have opened at Welcome Break Woodall on the M1 at Sheffield, Welcome Break Charnock Richard on the M6 near Chorley, Welcome Break Oxford on the M40, and Welcome Break Birchanger on the M11. It has also partnered with salad brand bar Tossed, with the first unit opening at Birchanger on 23rd May 2014.