Thursday 26th August 2010
Powerday boosts a more sustainable Chelsea Flower Show
Building on last year’s impressive recycling rate, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has recovered more than 99 % of the waste generated in last week’s Chelsea Flower Show. Over 450 tonnes of waste including wood, soil and food waste from the show have been recovered at Powerday’s Materials Recycling Facility in North West London.
The RHS is UK’s leading gardening charity, demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. The Society has strong environmental credentials and high environmental performance goals, placing huge importance on demonstrating these at the world’s most famous flower show.
The waste generated at the show is segregated by Powerday less than six miles from where the show is held at the Royal Hospital. As much as possible is recycled with much of the remainder recovered as ‘ready to use’ fuel to generate energy from waste. Wood is shredded and sent to Slough Heating and Power, soil is sent by rail to Buckinghamshire for land restoration projects and concrete is crushed and reused in building projects.
Powerday appointed Contract Manager Derrick Franklin to work closely with the Royal Horticultural Society to meet its high sustainability targets for the Show. Derrick says: “Powerday’s location, infrastructure, 24 hour operations and extensive experience in the events sector means we are well positioned to provide the quality service and high recycling rates required by RHS. We look forward to delivering further innovation and even higher recycling rates at Chelsea Flower Show in coming years.”
Caroline Humphries, Deputy Head of Operations (Shows Department) Royal Horticultural Society says: “The Royal Horticultural Society places high importance on environmental best practice. We have been pleased to work with Powerday again this year to deliver this and build on our excellent recycling rate from last year.”
