Environmental

New woodland planted by Fresh Start in carbon capture scheme.

Fresh Start Waste Services is proud to have planted 8,000 trees in a Cumbrian woodland to mitigate our annual carbon footprint.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Nicola McGrath, recently took a tour of the site, where alder, oak, birch and sycamore trees will flourish for years to come as part of the innovative Forest Carbon scheme.

“We saw lots of local wildlife,” says Nicola, who was joined by our Commercial Director, Colin Harvey. “It’s extremely rewarding to know that Fresh Start is helping to create a beautiful, natural space, as well as taking a responsible approach to managing our impact on the environment.”

Colin first met Forest Carbon’s Co-Founder and Director, Stephen Prior last year. That initial conversation has since led to the planting of enough broad-leaf trees to capture more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (the equivalent of 12 months’ worth of emissions from our fleet of trucks).

“We already take positive steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as far as we can,” explains Nicola. “Partnering with Forest Carbon, who lead the way nationally in voluntary carbon woodland creation, has finished the job, ensuring the remaining balance is now fully captured.”

Since 2006, Forest Carbon have planted more than eight million trees in over 150 new UK woodlands with the support of partners such as Fresh Start. The woodlands are all independently audited and certified under the UK Woodland Carbon Code, which provides assurance around the carbon savings achieved.

Stephen, who is a member of the UK Woodland Code Advisory Board, adds: “In addition to capturing CO₂, a UK woodland also delivers other local and tangible benefits for biodiversity, landscape, flood management, water quality and recreation.

‘We’d like to thank Fresh Start Waste Services for committing to improve the fabric of the planet and the country, as well as taking early action on climate change.”

Both Nicola and Colin were invited to the site to see the official company signage in situ (pictured), which designates our area of the woodland.

“This voluntary investment shows that we are accountable for our actions and committed to leading the way in waste management,” concludes Nicola. “All our customers, partners and staff can take pride in knowing that this woodland exists and that we will be continuing to add to it as our company grows.”

Learn more about Fresh Start’s waste services including collection, waste management and recycling services. Alternatively, call us on 0808 178 1066 or email info@fswaste.co.uk with any enquiries.