"Recycling is almost always the best way to get rid of waste", according to the biggest ever report on the industry for the UK government. Grays Waste Services has been doing this for decades, long before it became a fashionable environmental issue. Grays customers can be assured of flexible, timely and reliable waste collection that complies with the latest regulatory requirements. Grays work with you to create a custom package of fully integrated food waste, animal by-product, used cooking oil and specialist refuse collection services.

All food waste is processed and recycled into a range of different products as diverse as fuel for energy production or pet food ingredients. The wide variety of vehicle types employed by us, comply with the latest stringent European regulations governing the carriage of animal by-products. So whether you have a one-off collection requirement, or need a daily, weekly or fortnightly service, Grays Waste Services specialist team will be able to help you.

New food safety legislation has now made it illegal for you to dispose of animal by-products such as waste meat, poultry and fish products at landfill sites. To prevent a recurrence of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, animal by-products can only be disposed of via licensed, approved routes, which lead to rendering into new products, which is environmentally friendly, or incineration with energy recovery, which is less friendly to the environment but still preferable to landfill. Grays are licensed to collect animal by-products and will recycle or reuse all waste products. We serve many local businesses, including butchers, food manufacturers, supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, fast-food outlets and outdoor events such as food fairs.

The collected products are processed to separate food materials from any packaging. The food materials are re-processed and recycled into new products, such as liquid fat, also known as tallow, and protein meal. The tallow, or liquid fat recovered from the food waste can be used in the production of biodiesel or as a renewable energy fuel source, produced by a process known as anaerobic digestion (AD) to generate power for biomass Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants. CHP plants, which generate renewable electricity, qualify for 'Renewable Obligation Certificates' (ROCs) under the Government's Renewable Energy legislation. The tallow can also be utilised to make candles, leather dressing, soap, and lubricants. The solid residues or meal, are rich in protein and can be used in the manufacture of pet food and fertilizer, or again, used as a fuel to generate renewable energy.

Photo by Waldo Jaquith, Flickr

To show you are fully compliant and within the law, regulations have placed an emphasis on businesses to dispose of used cooking oil responsibly. Once waste cooking oil has served its original purpose, businesses are legally required to correctly dispose of it. According to the CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health), it is estimated that 170,000 tonnes of fats, oils and grease is emptied into the UK's sewage system every year, at a cost to the tax payer of £15 million per annum on expensive drain clearance call outs.

Grays Waste Services recycle used cooking oil to produce carbon neutral energy, essential for creating green energy solutions for our future. By using used cooking oil as a source for Combined Heating and Power (CHP) we can produce energy and heat simultaneously, therefore reducing the effect of power generation on the environment.

Grays collect waste cooking oil and hard fats from your premises and as registered waste carriers, provide you with a waste transfer document each time we collect, to certify that your used cooking oil is being disposed of legally. Grays offer full audit and traceability for your disposals in compliance with Environmental Health requirements. We provide lidded containers to suit your needs and can collect on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis or as required - just call us when you need a collection.

Photo by AineD, Flickr

Waste management has changed dramatically over the last few years. The cost for recycling materials or processing them for reuse is far lower and friendlier to the environment than disposal at landfill. By using our own fleet of vehicles we tailor-make a package of services for collection of refuse and other waste products. We ensure the most cost effective and efficient recycling and disposal procedures are in place and we service many varied businesses including hotels, offices, restaurants, supermarkets, individual shops and whole shopping centres.

Mixed dry recycling collections can include:

• paper of all colours
• cardboard
• bottles and cans
• plastics and packaging
• tins and tubs
• polystyrene cups

Waste food and used cooking oil can be incorporated into a tailor made package. Furthermore, with today's technology waste segregation and the use of the latest up-to-date MRF's (materials recovery facility) Grays can lower your disposal costs and ensure that where possible no waste goes into landfill or incineration and all end products are reused.

Photo by Joanna Poe, Flickr

Office clearance can be one of the most labour intensive and time consuming tasks in facilities management. Issues such as the disposal of office furniture, removal of waste and decommissioning of IT can prove major headaches – especially in the light of strict regulations regarding the environment, recycling and data protection. Grays ensure that this onerous task is completed efficiently, recycling office furniture and dry waste and allowing our customers to plan and coordinate a clean and effective office clearance, whilst complying with the regulations and recycling all materials and furniture removed.

Grays have a fleet of specialist vehicles and have carried out a number of small and large scale office clearance projects across London, Kent, Essex and Sussex.

Photo by Dave Wild, Flickr

Water used to wash cooking utensils will contain fats, grease, oils and detergents and is known as grey water. It is illegal to dispose of grey water down a rainwater drain as it causes blockages and offensive odours. So if you are organising an outdoor event that requires disposal of grey water, call us now to arrange to have your grey water collected and disposed of in an environmentally friendly, legal and clean manner.

When you dispose of waste you need to know that it is done responsibly and that it is either recycled or reused. You also need to know that you comply with all the legislation regarding disposal of waste. One look at the DEFRA website will show you that this is a specialist area, requiring careful consideration. Grays Waste Services can give you advice and ensure that you comply with the latest industry rules and regulations. Grays are also members of the Freight Transport Association (FTA), an industry body set up to ensure good practice and compliance.