Landfill taxes boost waste management firm

A NORTH WEST waste management firm says higher landfill taxes are driving a boom in sales.

Runcorn-based GPT Waste Management helps public and private sector organisations from across the country dispose of waster in the most cost-effective manner.

Founded five years ago and employing 12 people GPT’s annual turnover id £4.2m. Due to increased demand it is expecting sales to rise 12% or £500,000 this year.

The business operates as a broker and uses more than  250 specialist sub-contractors who specialise in recovering, reusing and recycling waste.

All disposals comply with EU legislation and because each contractor aims to reduce the amount of waste being put into the ground, clients make significant landfill tax savings. 

During 2008 the business managed 300,000 tonnes of waste, ranging from the disposal of cardboard and mixed office waste to hazardous materials. Typically clients operate in the facilities management market place, defence and social housing sectors.

Guy Cherry, owner and operations director, explained: “Many of our competitors own landfill sites and therefore they have a vested interest in filling them with waste.

“With landfill tax however increasing by £8 per tonne each year, this option is not environmentally friendly or cost effective. We operate a completely different business model to our competitors and as landfill tax continues to rise, GPT quite simply becomes the lower cost option.”

GPT Waste Management is working with the Warrington office of accountants Baker Tilly.

Partner David Charnock said: “The amount of waste produced each year in the UK is increasing by 3% each year and there are now over 1,300 pieces of environmental legislation which companies must follow. GPT offers true consultative advice to clients.

“They not only provide solutions, they implement the recommended changes and manage and monitor the situation on an ongoing basis.”