Colleagues have taken part in a series of Green Days at UM’s Terminals sites in Liverpool, Hull and Portbury.

The initiative, organised by UM administrator Louisa Brown, follows the coming into force of The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025 at the end of March which requires all organisations with 10 more full time employees to separate their recycling and food waste from their general waste.

Louisa planned the days, which took place earlier this year, working closely with UM EHS Manager Rebecca Broughton-Lee, Compliance Manager Jo Winning and Group HR, Training and Office Manager Geraldine Carroll.

The main objectives of the Green Days were:

• Presentations aimed at enhancing recycling awareness, integrating recycling practices across the business, and examining the advantages of recycling for UM Terminals, the environment, as well as the challenges we face.
• Discussion on e-waste and strategies to lower CO2 emissions.
• Launch of our energy poster campaign giving tips on how colleagues can play their part to reduce waste and improve efficiencies.

Hull

Louisa said: “During my visit, we discussed the different recycling initiatives implemented in both Hull East and West, along with the positive impacts of recycling on the environment and how small changes can make such a difference.

“The tanks in Hull West are currently being refurbished, and the resulting scrap metal will be recycled. The proceeds from the scrap metal will be deducted from the overall cost of the tank refurbishment.

“After the presentations, we lightened the atmosphere with an engaging Kahoot quiz to gauge who had been attentive to the key messages we aimed to convey!”

Portbury

Louisa said: “We held our second Terminals Green Day in Portbury, where we delivered the same presentations highlighting the significance of recycling and its beneficial effects on the environment.

“Following the presentation, some participants organised a litter pick, collecting various items around the site and filling a small bag with recyclables.

“The team at Portbury has created a small pond in the green space, which supports plants and wildlife, while the green space has also attracted different types of wildlife, including deer.

“It’s quite rare to find green spaces within industrial zones. I reached out to The Woodland Trust and was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary community tree pack. In November, we will be welcoming a variety of trees and shrubs.

“By transforming this area, we will enhance biodiversity, address climate change, and establish new habitats for wildlife.”

Liverpool

Louisa said: “Our third and final Green Day was in Liverpool.

“Our first day began at Gladstone, conducting three presentations in smaller groups to ensure that everyone had a chance to participate. The following day took place on Regent Road, where both office and site staff were present.”

Louisa had previously organised various activities as part of Recycle Week 2023 for head office colleagues in London including litter picking on the River Thames, an e-waste clean-up, zero waste training, a fundraising coffee morning and the introduction of a food waste caddy bin in the office. She plans to organise a Green Day for the London team next year.

She said: “I am hugely grateful to all colleagues at the various sites who got involved with the Green Days.

“We packed lots into the different days, improving people’s knowledge and explaining some of the simple things we can all do to reduce waste and improve recycling.

“There were also some bigger wins too, such as the tree planting we will be doing in Portbury and a potential, exciting initiative to recycle the sample pots used for our molasses at all our terminals. This would involve developing a new process and is something that we hope to take forward with the ESG team after further discussion.”