Community Relations and Support

Viridor aims to deliver its services while working with and supporting the local communities in which it operates

Landfill Communities Fund (LCF)

Under this highly successful and strictly regulated landfill tax credit scheme, Viridor is able to contribute up to 6% of its landfill tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies (EBs). This provides funding for projects that meet environmental objects contained in the Landfill Tax Regulations.

Funding supports a diverse range of projects including:

  • The conservation, restoration or enhancement of natural habitats
  • The maintenance or recovery of important species, improving biodiversity
  • Maintenance or restoration of historically and architecturally important buildings
  • Community and amenity projects such as village halls, community centres, sports facilities, playgrounds and parks.

Such projects can create significant long-term environmental benefits and jobs, and improve the quality of life in communities near landfill sites.

During the year Viridor donated £9.7 million to Viridor Credits Environmental Company, an independent charity established to distribute LCF funding predominantly in areas surrounding Viridor landfills. Decisions on local funding are taken at grassroots level by panels in each area, using criteria of sustainability, value for money and proven need.

Example projects during the year include:

  • A £300,000 grant to a pioneering marine project to produce the first detailed habitat map of the seabed off a large section of Dorset's coast, to help better manage these important and sensitive natural features
  • At Otmoor in Oxfordshire, a £130,000 grant to help enhance one of the most important wetland restoration sites in the UK, where wet meadows and reed beds provide a haven for many thousands of rare birds, plants and wildlife
  • Coldingham Village Hall, Berwickshire, a £20,000 grant towards insulation improvements and an energy-efficient heating system, part of the refurbishment of a much-used local amenity and social hub.

For further details see Viridor Credits website at www.viridor-credits.co.uk

Charitable Support

Viridor continued to support its two 'adopted' charities, Scope and the Primary Immunodeficiency Association (PIA). The Company match-funds anything raised by employees for these charities. It also provides a 'payroll giving' facility enabling employees to donate directly to their chosen charities, with the Company providing match funds for the first month.

Education and Life Long Learning

The Company hosts educational visits for school and college students, community groups and a range of other interested UK and international parties at its recycling, waste management and renewable energy sites. Information on services and resource management issues and signposting services for teachers are provided on request and via the Company website.

The Company currently operates four site-based education centres at recycling and EfW facilities in Greater Manchester, Suffolk and Peterborough, providing interactive education opportunities. These centres provide innovative programmes and services to support waste prevention, recycling and resource efficiency campaigns and activities in partnership with local authorities and other parties. Curriculum-linked materials are developed and delivered by Company education officers working with Children's Services Departments and educationalists. Other such centres are being developed at Lakeside EfW facility near Slough, and at recycling facilities in Sussex, Glasgow and Greater Manchester.

The Company is also the lead sponsor of the Carymoor Environmental Education Centre in Somerset, a best-practice 'hub facility' for the delivery of education and related research activities in sustainability, renewable energy, resource management and biodiversity, and home to the Somerset Waste Action Programme.