BCB News Archive

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Latest News Archive 2006

BCB's MD talks about IPPC, the Changing Face of Hazardous Waste Disposal and the Exciting future for BCB

20th November 2006

It’s been some time since we sat down with BCB’s Managing Director and with much change afoot in the industry and the company alive with rumour of exciting change, it seemed like a good time to get it straight from the top.

Q: The Green Hangar has been in operation for some 18 months now. How do you think the transition to IPPC has gone?

A: Frankly it has been a very difficult time. It is one thing to plan (and spend) a state of the art infrastructure and cutting edge management systems, it’s another to bring it into operation. Quite honestly, it’s the second aspect – rather than the first – that will catch our competitors as they face the migration to IPPC process.

Q: Can you elaborate on that last point?

A: IPPC is hitting all the decks across the hazardous waste sector as we talk and operators are facing serious problems with practical and infrastructure upgrade issues. That aspect cannot be understated – existing facilities will have to spend at least £500k to make the standard in the first year. In most cases, significantly more. But having found that cash, the operators are then going to find that is just the start and adjusting to managing under the new standards and principles is the bigger challenge.

Q: What does that mean for the waste producer?

A: It means operating costs are going to surge across the sector (to BCB’s level eventually) and price rises will continue unabated. Choice – for the waste producer – will contract and the continuing, ongoing roll-out of regulatory change (treatment and landfill) will continue to bite.

Q: Talking of regulatory change, would you consider that the industry has passed the more significant milestones?

A: Not a chance. The Agency has treatment practices firmly in its sights and there is more pain to come all round.

Q: More difficult times, then?

A: I prefer to call them challenging. It’s a new world order and, if you can’t embrace and drive dramatic change, you are not likely to be a significant player in this industry. That’s an accelerating trend already visible in the market place.

Q: You touched on some of these aspects in your recent CIWM article. Would you care to elaborate on BCB’s future plans?

A: I am on record as saying there is no future for the independent hazardous waste transfer operator – that is something I stand foursquare behind – and that final disposal solutions are the key to success. BCB has a unique vision for medium to long term success.

Q: That’s a bold statement!

A: Imagine an operating facility that embraces a range of disposal and treatment options such that it can provide an end disposal solution for all difficult and hazardous wastes and – this being the critical point – these options are 99% recycling in fundamental nature.

Q: This is the plasma option spoken of in the CIWM article?

A: Plasma is only a part. I am on record as saying that BCB will deliver the first working plasma solution for hazardous waste to the UK market and I’d still put my shirt on that. However, plasma is a top end solution only suited to the more difficult and intractable wastes. We need practical solutions for the other 75% of materials we deal with.

Q: These solutions being?

A: I’m not at liberty to be too detailed at this stage – legalities and corporate confidentialities and all that. I can only say that we have a comprehensive suite of technologies lined up which are all state of the art. No cement mixers. No landfill.

Q: Sounds expensive!

A: On paper, the investment proposed is currently topping £15m. and may reach £20m.

Q: And BCB can afford all this?

A: Yes and no! Certainly, the independent BCB of today is in no position to deliver this investment package.

Q: So, I take it that means we too are swallowing the plc pill?

A: Actually, no. There will be a corporate re-structuring of BCB in order to provide the investment vehicles necessary to fulfil my vision for the future. Again, I can’t go into detail at this stage but I can promise this: BCB will endure and it will continue to set the pace in this industry. Leading the way in IPPC was merely the start. Oh, and I can promise that I’m going to be around for the foreseeable future.

Q: Can I ask about timeframe?

A: I expect to reveal the new corporate structure early in the New Year. In terms of delivering technology, the first phase may be only 12 months away. However, since we are proposing to make a multi-faceted IPPC permit application encompassing all our new technologies, don’t be surprised if that agenda slips somewhat. Remember, planning is always the key in these things.

An impressive, some may say exaggerated, vision of the future from MD Phil Boardman. Never one to sit on the fence! That said, you may want to consider his track record in fulfilling promises and predicting future trends.

Successful Relocation of Head Office

27th October 2006

BCB has now successfully relocated all it's customer support services at Tockwith nr. York, alongside the Green Hangar site. The new Head Office houses all customer support and accounting staff as well as providing meeting rooms and a visitor's suite. Office Manager and Senior Management Accountant, Vicky Christie, let out a huge sigh of relief that the move had gone so well - "when you take into account that, along with new staff and the sheer logistical task of moving, we had to re-house and wire in state of the art technology and IT backup the move could not have gone more smoothly. I would like to thank each and every member of staff who gave up time and energy to assist." For details of the new address please see our 'contact us' page. Please note that all email and telephone numbers remain unchanged.

Technical Team Strengthened Again!

3rd September 2006

BCB are pleased to announce yet another key appointment within their technical management team as Gareth Thomas joins us as Operations Manager. With a degree in chemistry and a waste management chemist pedigree Gareth is more than equipped for the challenges of managing hazardous waste to the rigorous standards of IPP, having previously worked with Cleanaway and WRG. Asked how hehe felt on hearing of his successful appointment Gareth commented, "I am delighted to have been goven the opportunity to progress my career in hazardous waste management and I am looking forward to the challenges that waste transfer within IPPC and BAT provides."

BCB Filtration System Achieves Zero Emissions On Large Scale

6th June 2006

Leading independent hazardous waste transfer operator, BCB Environmental Management Ltd, has continued its ground breaking investment with the launch of its innovative zero emissions carbon filtration system.

The system is pioneering new territory within the hazardous waste sector, where such technology has apparently never been used for extracting Volatile Organic Components (VOCs), on a scale which achieves zero emissions for an entire operation. VOC’s, otherwise known as solvents, are typically present in such common waste streams as paints, adhesives and inks.

more information here

The Green Hangar Open Day 2006 and Hazardous Waste Seminar

23rd May 2006

Following the success last year of the inaugural Open Day event to launch the Green Hangar, BCB has invited it’s customers and industry partners to once again to visit the Tockwith facility and inspect the cutting edge of hazardous waste management in the U.K. One year on from its opening, the Green Hangar still stands alone as the only waste transfer facility in the U.K. to have fully embraced the concept of IPPC. Customers are invited to visit and observe the operation on a normal working day and see what best available technique means in our working environment. Beginning at 1230 p.m. with cocktails and buffet lunch, the formal activity will start with a short introduction to the principles of Integrated Pollution, Prevention and Control and its implementation within our operation. This will be followed by a brief tour of the working Hangar and the opportunity to chat with our management and maybe get a first hand understanding of why all those tricky codes on the consignment note really do matter. The afternoon will end around about 4.00 p.m. with a formal announcement of Phase IV. What is Phase IV? Come along and find out; BCB plan to re-define the landscape of hazardous waste management in the U.K. For the really keen, the Friday morning will see the final roadshow seminar on the Hazardous Waste Regulations. As you are probably aware, we have been touring the country this year with our seminar – to universal acclaim. Struggling with the Hazardous Waste Regulations? This is the last chance this year to put yourself in the know. Attendance at the Open Day and/or the seminar is by invitation only, however if you would like to attend the event please contact The Roadshow Team at BCB’s head office or alternatively email us at openday@bcbenvironmental.co.uk Clearly, the combined event offers an unparalleled opportunity to both fulfil your Duty of Care obligations and spread awareness and necessary knowledge to key employees. I look forward to seeing you in June. The drinks are on me. Phil Boardman Managing Director

Senior Appointment At BCB

2nd May 2006

Mike Wilson joined BCB Environmental Management Ltd as a Senior Operations Manager in April, providing both specialist technical knowledge and waste industry experience. This new appointment is intended to strengthen BCB’s technical know-how and to bring a fresh and innovative management perspective, which will assist BCB’s mission to become the leading independent player in this sector.
For more details click here

Flammable Solids - BCB Policy Introduced

11th April 2006

Progressive change in the hazardous waste disposal sector over recent years has introduced significant complexity and re-written the rule book with respect to what can be done with certain waste types. No more so than the category of material that the industry refers to as flammable solids. Typically the sludge or solid bottom phase of solvent based wastes types such as inks or paints. Banned from landfill in 2002, the options have been squeezed and squeezed. Today the U.K. has only two options and the inevitable result is spiralling cost. Worse still, there are certain categories of flammable solids for which the U.K. has no viable treatment or disposal options. This has become - for BCB - a chronic problem, the cost being added to substantially by the need to consolidate part drums once the liquid phase has been pumped off.In line with the Waste Framework Directive policy that the producer pays, we have no option but to introduce charges to cover the costs. Since it is manifestly impossible to accurately calculate the solid phase of a 205 litre drum before the liquid has been pumped off, BCB is asking its clients to accept these charges at face value and understand that they will be applied fairly. It is possible by probing to estimate the volume of solid in a drum and we encourage all waste producers to undertake this exercise before shipping the drums and examine their waste producing processes to eliminate the problem.

BCB celebrates new industry record!

March 2nd 2006

Commenting on a record financial performance for the sector in February, BCB Managing Director Phil Boardman issued the following statement: These are very difficult times for all operators in the hazardous waste sector. Too much change in too short a time is posing a challenge that will change the face of our industry forever. Therefore, it gives me an enormous sense of pride to report a 20% surge in revenues and record profits. This reflects our dominant position in hazardous waste transfer and is a tribute to the hard work and determination of our workforce and management team. In order to meet the increased demand for our service, all our operational facilities are moving to extended shift working. To improve efficiencies and deal with issues arising in the solvent sector (caused by the Waste Incineration Directive), the doors of the Green Hangar were temporarily closed. But it's business as usual now and we are predicting further growth in March. A year ago I said that the Green Hangar story was only the beginning. Watch this space over the next few months for some very major announcements. Our competitors are taking the first staggering steps towards IPPC and it's time for BCB to raise the bar once again and maintain its industry leading profile.

March 1st march 2006

BCB Roadshow News

The second BCB Roadshow took place at the Thistle Hotel in Middlesbrough on March 1st. The event was attended by over 60 delegates, representatives from wide ranging industry backgrounds. Feedback from the event confirmed that the content of the presentations matched the needs of today’s Hazardous Waste Producer and the event was very well received by all attendees. The full feedback on the event can be viewed below and via the ‘Roadshow Comments’ button. If you wish to attend the next event (expected early April in Manchester) contact ‘The Roadshow Team’ at BCB Head Office (email: roadshow@bcbenvironmental.co.uk ) or your BCB Area Sales Manager.

 

BCB Roadshow Rolls into Town !

26th January 2006

BCB began a series of nationwide Roadshows when the inaugural event took place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Chichester on Tuesday.

These informational seminars focus on compliance for waste producers within the Hazardous Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2005 (HWR) and demonstrate how BCB's innovative approach to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), within Hazardous Waste Management, supports this.

The event was well supported with approaching 100 represented companies in attendance. Initial verbal feedback from delegates confirmed that the seminar was well received and provided excellent guidance to waste producers in meeting the Demands of HWR.

Commenting on the success of the event, Managing Director Phil Boardman said, “this is the first in a series of events and judging by the attendance and the comments of the delegates thus far, it has been a complete success”. If you are interested in attending the seminars please visit this website for details and regular updates of forthcoming events, or alternatively contact Head Office or your appointed Area Sales Manager.

New Manager set to Reinforce Technical Sales Team

13th January 2006

From January 2006 BCB are pleased to announce the appointment of James Lucas Bsc(Hons) as Area Sales Manager for Northern England and Scotland. Chemistry graduate James has a professional sales background in chemicals, raw materials and manufacturing and his extensive knowledge and qualifications will further reinforce the technical capabilities of BCB’s ever expanding sales force.

James commented, “I am delighted to be joining such a forward thinking, innovative and technologically robust company. I have followed BCB’s progress in the last 12 months with keen interest and have been amazed at how the company has embraced the new regulatory demands with such visionary developments as ‘The Green Hangar’ and their in-house ‘Waste Controller’ software systems. I must say that having now had the chance to experience the BCB approach first hand, it is even more impressive than I expected”.

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