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Keenan Celebrates UK Coverage Amid Driver Shortage

KEENAN RECYCLING HAS REACHED ITS BIGGEST MILESTONE TO DATE, AS IT CELEBRATES FULL NATIONAL COVERAGE – OPERATING FROM THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND, TO THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND, DESPITE NATIONWIDE DRIVER SHORTAGES.

The waste management company, which reduces the amount of waste going into landfill by collecting and recycling organic material, has invested over £4m in new trucks in the last 12 months, adding six new depots including London, Exeter and Manchester, and recruiting around 25% more drivers.

Following this investment, Keenan plans to more than double its headcount, increasing by around 230% in the next two years, and invest in another 200 high-tech trucks.

Currently processing over 100,000 tonnes of organic waste each year, the company turns food waste into premium grade compost or biofuel, which generates electricity at numerous anaerobic digestion plants (ADPs) across England.

Initially set up as a garden composting business, Keenan Recycling launched its commercial food waste collection services in Scotland in 2009 before moving south of the border in 2018 and expanding across England. Keenan is passionate about delivering a cost-effective service that encourages customers to reduce the impact on the environment.

As part of its increased coverage, Keenan has introduced a Driving Academy at sites in Manchester, Leeds, Guildford, Shrewsbury and Newcastle, as it seeks to fill some of the 100,000 reported shortages in HGV drivers across the UK.

Since launching, the recycling firm has been inundated with applications for drivers, amid the on-going driver shortage which has been reported by a range of sectors, most notably supermarkets and hospitality.

More than 1,000 people have applied for the Academy which includes paid-for training, a competitive salary, and job security following training with Keenan. In addition, the waste management company is also offering accommodation for those who need to relocate to undergo training.

Claire Keenan, collections director said: “We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with the response to our new Driving Academy which has allowed us to place our own vehicles across the length and breadth of Britain.

“Last year saw us make significant investments into England, that allowed us to serve a wealth of new customers south of the border including colleges, restaurants and fast food chains.

“Our new fleet of trucks boast a bespoke configuration including, individual bin weighing, slave bin for caddy and bag uplifts and RFID technology that allows customers to track when their bin has been uplifted.”

With a top of the range and ever expanding fleet, Keenan believes it can continue its growth ambitions across the UK to cement itself as the market leader, especially as waste laws in England look set to change in the next two years.

“Scotland has been practising food waste legislation for seven years, and England is set to catch up by 2023.   As a result of the new regulation, businesses that produce, handle or sell food will by law have to recycle leftovers or food that has gone out of date.

“Offering full coverage across the UK puts us in an ideal position to expand our services and capitalise on these new opportunities. We have plentiful experience in the changes and know how we can best work with customers to not only reduce their waste – but help save them money too!”