Recycling

Recycling is a major part of our environmental policy. We aim to reduce waste going to landfill sites by recycling as much as possible.

Materials such as paper, cardboard, metal, wood, plastics and glass are separated and recycled. The majority of our plastic waste is recycled on site. All other waste streams are assessed to maximise their recycling potential. A monthly report is issued detailing the quantities of waste removed from the site.

The continuing efforts on improving our recycling activities and encouraging employees, led to a significant reduction in the landfill tonnage. In 2008 and 2009, GPS has achieved 39.7% and 48.5% year on year reductions in landfill waste. Overall, since 2007 and by the end of 2009 landfill tonnage has reduced by 69%.

Up to 30% of our total waste is now being recycled and we hope to increase this further as new opportunities are identified.




The used PE piping can be easily remanufactured into high-quality non-pressurised pipes. Recycling gives PE waste a new lease of life and reduces the amount of plastic waste going to landfill sites.

We are keen to help our customers lessen their impact on the environment and to this end, offer a free waste collection scheme, where we regularly collect surplus piping from customers and then filter and recycle it. We utilise return delivery journeys so no extra mileage is made.


How does it work?

Upon a customer’s request and subject to availability, we place a purpose built PE recycling container on their site. This container can be used instead of a waste skip for all PE surplus or waste materials.

Once the container is full, or if the use of a site has come to an end, the customer rings the number printed on the container to arrange collection. When the full container is removed, a replacement empty container can be delivered.

Once the full container has been returned to GPS, the containers are emptied, inspected and sorted into the following categories:

- unsuitable for recycling
- suitable for recycling but requires cleaning
- suitable for recycling without cleaning.

Whilst items not suitable for recycling will be sent for landfill, all other items will be cleaned as appropriate and then recycled into materials that can be used in non-pressure pipe applications.

It should be appreciated that for this scheme to operate effectively then a high percentage of returned items should be recyclable within the scope of the scheme i.e. surplus/unwanted PE pipes and fittings. Should this not be the case it may be that a specific scheme would not be viable.

Please contact your Area Sales Manager for further details.