Solo Litterpicking Guidance

We encourage everyone to stay at home, and self isolate but we have been asked over the last two weeks for some guidance around the subject of solo litter picking during this time.

We understand a lot of individual volunteers are still wishing to litter pick by themselves as part of their daily exercise with many understanding the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors; boosting their immune system and a positive impact on your mental health and well-being.

Following government advice on social distancing and where safe to do so, a solo litter pick could form part of your daily exercise routine.

However, if you wish to continue with your own solo litter-picking activity then please ensure you follow the latest Government advice on COVID-19 to ensure you protect your own safety, and the safety of others:

  • Wear protective gloves
  • Wash your hands (before and after your solo pick)
  • Use your own carrier bag, bucket or cleansing bag to collect litter in
  • Don’t touch any litter with your hands
  • Don’t pick up litter with your hands
  • Don’t touch your face whilst out litter picking
  • Keep 2 meters away from any member of the public
  • Sanitise your equipment before and after use
  • Once collected, you need to dispose of your litter at home using your household general waste or recycling bins – your local authority will not have capacity to collect your litter bags during this time

In light of recent Government advise,  all group and more then 2+ clean-ups should cease. 

If you need further help, our team are working remotely from home but are still at the end of the phone, but if we can answer any questions – do give us a call, 01531 635678.

We have range of sustainable products to help you undertake your solo picks; with safety and confidence.

And if you are a solo litter picker, share some positive vibes on social media after your solo litterpick #alittlelitterpickmeup #HelpingHand

Most importantly, stay safe

Local Authorities COVID-19 Response to Front Line Services

Thanks to our friends at APSE, Helping Hand Environmental are able to share UK local authorities briefing document, which will be of particular interest to our customers in the following sectors:

  • Waste Collection
  • Waste Recycling Collections
  • Street Cleansing Services
  • Parks & Green Spaces

With the onset of ever more stringent measures to control the spread of the coronavirus, local authorities across the UK are having to implement pre-prepared business continuity plans and prioritise the levels of services they provide in the following ways:

  1. Priority rating being allocated to different service elements
  2. Arrangements for the safety of staff as well as covering staff absence
  3. Service continuity planning involving the redeployment and training of staff
  4. Innovative approaches such as providing mobile waste collection facilities 

APSE asked their member authorities for information as to how they plan to deliver services in light of the impact of the virus.

From responses, it is apparent that the majority are now referring to their pre-prepared Business Continuity Plans – with commonality across the UK with regards to the changes to delivery either implemented or ready to be implemented should the need arise.

Nominally, Local Authorities are prioritising their services based on resident needs into Primary, Secondary and Tertiary services:

Primary: (essential services – all staff redeployed to ensure service delivery)

  • Waste Collection – including recycling, food, clinical
  • Cemetery services
  • Public & contractual transport

Secondary: (medium priority – redeploy staff in phase 2 to ensure primary service delivery)

  • Street Cleansing – scheduled cleansing i.e emptying bins, town centres
  • Street Cleansing – reactive cleansing i.e fly tipping, reported litter
  • Playground checks

Tertiary: (non-essential)

  • Road/pavements sweeping
  • Grounds maintenance – wedding, planting, roundabouts
  • Bin deliveries to residents or commercial properties
  • Allotments
  • Abandoned cars/vehicles
  • Locking parks and general park duties
  • Countryside management

Key Outcome: Waste collection is seen by all local authorities and the UK government as a priority front line service with key workers status.

Local Authority operational changes due to COVID-19:

  • General waste collection has been given top priority followed then by dry recyclable collections, food and clinical waste.
  • Garden waste collections has been suspended
  • Bulky waste collections have been halted
  • Residual waste not placed in a household bin will not be collected
  • Street cleansing staff and grounds maintenance staff are being redeployed where needed and trained to support waste collections.
  • Recycling centres will remain open
  • Level of service would be very much dependent of the level of the sickness/absences
  • Street cleansing would prioritise town centres, and areas of high footfall like near supermarkets and litter and dog fouling bin emptying as highest priority.
  • Ancillary services like road sweeping, cleaning alleyways, sweeping of rural roads would be reduced
  • Reduction in large mechanical sweeping to free staff up for other duties

Additional Considerations:

  • Parking recycling vehicles at bring sites to increase capacity
  • Parking recycling vehicles to provide temporary bring sites (weekends)
  • Putting recyclables into residual waste in remote locations (last resorts)

Protection of Staff:

  • In relations to members of the public who have contracted the corona virus or are awaiting test results, local authorities are insisting any tissues or associated waste are double bagged and in placed only in household general waste bins – where waste will be held for 72 hours before disposal.
  • Staggering clocking in and off time for crews at their depots
  • Restrict number of operatives per waste vehicle (now just a driver and loader)
  • Support staff and non-essential management/supervisors are required to work from home
  • Social distancing is a key requirement to ensure the health of staff but to take into account the number of staff who have underlying heath conditions.

Undoubtedly there will be significant changes and demands being placed on local authorities during the next few months but our councils will undoubtedly rise to the challenge and meet the need of the public and their customers.

Our Coronavirus Contingency Update

To all our valued customers,

In these uncertain times, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We continue to work round the clock, 7 days a week to support our customers who provide critical front line services across the NHS and Local government.

In line with Government advice, to limit the potential spread of the virus, we have suspended all face to face visits, with all teams working remotely from home.

Your local sales manager and regional team is available at the end of a phone, across digital platforms such as Skype/WhatsApp/Facetime and email to provide support and answer any queries.

The Helping Hand Company remain committed to being responsible for what we do, those we serve and truly value the support you give in trading with us.

Please take care of yourselves and each other.

Gavin James, Managing Director

 

Our Coronavirus Contingency

To our valued customers,

At Helping Hand Company, our commitment to supporting the welfare of our employees, suppliers and customers is as strong as ever. Our priority remains to the health and well being of all we serve.

Full details of our contingency plans can be read here

I want to also take the opportunity to thank you for your continued support and thank all of the team who are working incredibly hard to ensure we can continue to support our customers well.

Gavin James, Managing Director

The Helping Hand Company

The Great British Spring Clean Postponed

ANNOUNCEMENT: THE GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN HAS BEEN POSTPONED

Dear valued customers,

Here is the official statement from Keep Britain Tidy

“Keep Britain Tidy have taken the decision to postpone this year’s Great British Spring Clean until later in the year.

Instead, the Great British September Clean will run from the 11 – 27 September, when we will be bringing communities back together to clean up our streets, parks and beaches.

In the meantime, if you are out and about getting some fresh air and doing a litter pick in line with our safety guidelines. Everything we do, whether its on our own or with family, friends and neighbours makes a big difference in protecting the environment which can only look after us if we look after it.

In the coming days and weeks, we will be updating you on how you can get involved and show your support to help #KeepBritainTidy”

Helping Hand Environmental, would also like to advise our customers that the following other national clean up campaigns have been postponed for the time being:

  • Keep Scotland Beautiful – Spring Clean Scotland read here
  • Keep Wales Tidy – Spring Clean Cymru read here
  • Surfers Against Sewage – The Big Beach Spring Clean
  • Marine Conservation Society – All Spring 2020 Beach Cleans

Stay safe #LitterHeroes 💚

 

 

Area Sales Advisor – Helping Hand Environmental – Apply Here

We are looking for an experienced sales executive to join our internal sales team, based in Ledbury – Herefordshire. Key responsibilities include B2B sales, account management, customer service and support to our Southern field based Area Sales Manager.

The company operates in several key markets, this vacancy relates specifically to the Environmental product ranges.

Ideal candidate must be self-motivated, lots of energy and determination and must have an interest in the environment.

The Role:

  • Account Management
  • B2B Sales (proactive: customer retention and new customer acquisition)
  • Offer high standard of customer service
  • Respond to customer needs and enquiries
  • Be a one point contact for customers

The Person:

  • Computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
  • Able to work on your own or as part of a team
  • An outgoing personality
  • Ability to build long term working relationships
  • A creative thinker
  • A flexible work approach

This is a great opportunity for the right candidate who is up for an exciting challenge.

Offering an attractive salary with an additional bonus structure.

3 years sales experience preferable; however, full sales and product training will be given

Is this you? Then we want you in our team.

Please send your CV with a covering letter to Carly Di Crescienzo – UK Sales Manager carlydicrescienzo@helpinghand.co.uk

 

Environmental Bill – Post Brexit Update

The Environment Bill was re-introduced to Parliament on 30 January 2020, with Defra releasing a policy paper alongside it.

The Bill outlines measures intended to protect and enhance the UK’s environments in a world without EU oversight.

The UK’s departure from the EU leaves an environmental ‘governance gap’. The Bill aims to ensure maintain key EU standards, including measures to tackle air pollution, meet net zero by 2050, and restore and enhance nature.

Key Outcomes:

1. New Green Watchdog

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will hold the government to account on environmental law and its Environmental Improvement Plan. The proposed body will enforce its powers through a new kind of legal instrument, an ‘environmental review’, that can force public authorities to take action if a court finds they have failed to meet environmental standards. The body will also examine the worth of new environmental policies and investigate potential breaches

2. Environmental issues enshrined in law

As part of a new environmental governance system, the Bill outlines requirements for legally binding targets on air and water quality, biodiversity, and waste efficiency. These new targets replace those under the existing EU framework.

3. Biodiversity net gain

If enacted, the Bill will enshrine in law the principle of biodiversity net gain. This would require a developer to offset and improve the value of any natural habitat damaged or destroyed as a result of development.

Biodiversity net gain applies to almost all development in England, with 10% net gain to be achieved though a structured plan. National infrastructure projects covered by the Planning Act 2008, some small developments not requiring an environmental impact assessment, or those on brownfield land, will be exempt from the net gain policy.

If a developer is unable to provide a 10% biodiversity gain in habitat creation, it must provide an offset on another piece of land or purchase conservation credits from the Secretary of State.

What’s NEW?

1. International leadership

The Bill includes a new pledge to create a two-yearly review of ‘significant developments in international legislation on the environment’ to feed into the Environmental Improvement Plan and target-setting process. The aim is to position the UK as a leader in environmental protection.

2. No commitment to non-regression

One of the changes in the ‘level playing fields’ section of Boris Johnson’s renegotiated EU Withdrawal Agreement means there is no obligation to uphold EU environmental standards. But Defra communications do stipulate that the UK will be free to go above and beyond current rules.

Read more the Environment Bill 2020 update: HERE

Christmas Shutdown Dates

Helping Hand Environmental want to ensure every customer is guaranteed their order in time the festive season. Should you need any products in time for Christmas, place your order by:

Friday 13th December for personalised or non standard AND
Friday 20th December for ex stock items.

Call our Sales Team today on 01531 635678.

The Helping Hand Company will close for business on Monday 23rd December and reopen on Thursday 2nd January 2020. 

We will still be accepting online orders online during our Christmas Shutdown period, but we will not be processing your order until we return to work on Thursday 2nd January 2020.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your custom throughout 2019 and wish you a very Merry Christmas & New Year!

Brummie Bull – Community Trust Project Launched

The Helping Hand Community Trust were delighted to launch Brummie Bull on Friday 25th October in partnership with Andrew Wood – Herefordshire Community Recycling Raising Money for Local Charities, Lynne Stokes and the Eco Club from St Mary’s Primary School.

Brummie was proudly made by Helping Hand Rotherwas colleagues – Mark Bishop, John Anderson and Gareth Hughes as our sponsored Community Trust October project.

  • Brummie is very special he is built to collect funds for the Hereford Royal British Legion and Hereford SAS branch.
  • The name Brummie was chosen to honour Herefordshire SAS legend and 22 regiment member – Brummie Stokes.
  • School children across Herefordshire will make recycled poppies (from the end of plastic bottles and old uniforms) to pin onto Brummie as part of his official campaign tour.
  • The Helping Hand Company want to encourage as many as possible of all ages to make poppies – to thank those who gave so much for us to have what we have today and generations forward.

Brummie will be making a guest appearance at several Herefordshire locations this Autumn including:

  • Hereford Railway Station on Tuesday 29th October 10am
  • Boulder Barn, HR1 1JS on Friday 1st November all day
  • High Town, Hereford on Saturday 2nd November all day
  • Weston Under Penyard on Thursday 7th November 12 noon
  • Bromyard High Street on Friday 8th November 9am
  • High Town, Hereford on Sunday 10th November for Remembrance Day Parade
  • Old Market, Hereford on Saturday 30th November 9am

You can also follow the latest campaign updates on Facebook, LIKE Herefordshire Community Recycling Raising Money for Local Charities and LitterpickersUK

For further information on this innovative project and The Helping Hand Community Trust, please contact Lindsay Richmond-Kearns, Communities Manager on 01531 635678.

What Impact will The Environment Bill have in your local Community?

The Environment Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 14 October 2019 but what does the Bill mean for your local environment?

The Facts:

The Environment Bill 2019-20 sits alongside the Government’s longer-term objective for “this, to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than that in which we inherited it.”

The first part of the Bill is to provide measures to address environmental governance gaps following withdrawal from the EU and beyond.

The Bill puts into legislation a series of environmental principles and establishes an Office for Environmental Protection, which will have scrutiny, advice and enforcement functions.

It also makes provision for the setting of long-term, legally binding environmental targets in four “priority areas” of air quality, water, biodiversity and resource efficiency and waste reduction, along with the production of statutory Environmental Improvement Plans – 25 Year Environment Plan

The Highlights:

  • A new direction for resources and waste management

The Bill makes provisions for the managing of waste and producer responsibility. The provisions introduce a revised extended packaging producer responsibility scheme, the power to regulate for ecodesign standards and resource efficiency information across a wider range of products, and amendments to the responsibilities and powers for separating and recycling waste. It provides a framework for a deposit return scheme.

  • Improving the air we breathe

The Bill deals with air quality and amends the requirements and management of Local Air Quality Management Frameworks. It also provides local authorities with greater powers in smoke control areas and includes provision to require the recall of road vehicles on environmental grounds.

  • Delivering sustainable water resources

The Bill includes provisions relating to water resources management in six different areas: the development of joint regional plans for long-term water resource management, a statutory duty for water companies to develop long-term drainage and sewerage management plans, amendments to the water company licencing process, amendments to the abstraction licence process, powers to amend water quality standards and the land valuation process for internal drainage board (IDB) charges.

  • Restoring and enhancing nature and green spaces

The Bill legislates for the creation of the net gain requirement of 10%, expands the duty on relevant authorities from conserving to “conserving and enhancing” biodiversity, and legislates for the creation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies to cover the whole of England supported by DEFRA and legislates for the introduction of conservation covenants.

  • Chemicals regulation (REACH)

The (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation regulates the manufacture, placing on the market and use of chemicals. The REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 set out how the requirements of the REACH Regulation are enforced.

The Conclusion:

This Bill creates a framework in which strong local government leadership will be enhanced to drive the necessary, and once in a lifetime environmental improvement to reverse decades of biodiversity loss and improve air quality. Most of the Bill extends to England and Wales and applies in England. There are some parts that extend to the whole of the UK or apply to specific countries.

Government will fully fund all new burdens on local authorities arising from the Bill in order to make our ambition a reality. We are committed to working in partnership with local government, businesses and wider stakeholders on the implementation of these measures, to identify and secure the capacity and skills to deliver a cleaner, greener and healthier environment.

To make a difference today to your local community, give us a call on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk