Catch up on KCM Waste Management’s latest environmentally friendly projects
Based in South Yorkshire, KCM Waste Management (KCM) has been a trusted name in the waste management industry for over 35 years. As a proud family-run business, KCM is committed to providing the ideal one-stop-shop solution to homeowners and businesses in Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and the surrounding areas. With a team of over 120 talented professionals, the company is dedicated to delivering a unique approach to waste management and disposal that eliminates the hassle of the process for its valued clients. Emma Hickling, Financial and Operations Director, runs us through the origins of the business.
“In the 1980s, two visionary brothers named Mark and Philip Hickling – respectively my father and my uncle – established KCM. From humble beginnings on the
family farm, the company grew over time into the thriving business it is today. KCM is now one of the largest family owned and operated waste and recycling businesses in Yorkshire and the North of England. I am immensely proud of what my father and uncle have achieved together, and everyone at KCM continues to drive the business forward with the passion they instilled in it,” she begins.
Recycling and reuse
Over the years, the range of services offered by the company diversified, as Emma points out: “Starting out as a skip hire business, we subsequently expanded our services to incorporate waste processing, recycling, aggregates, grab hire, and wheelie bins. These services play a key role in realising our mission: to minimise the impact of waste on the environment in the most sustainable way possible, all while maintaining the highest levels of customer service. At KCM, we believe it is extremely important to manage waste in a way that promotes efficient recycling and reuse, a philosophy underpinned by our unwavering zero landfill commitments and continuous improvements.”
This dedication to the environment is brilliantly illustrated through KCM’s recent acquisition of a new site in Sheffield. “Indeed, our site in Sheffield used to be a waste yard operated and run by another waste company. Before we acquired it, the site had been left abandoned and filled with waste. This decomposing waste generated harmful emissions, odours, and leachate (contaminated liquids) into the Sheffield region. To rectify the situation, we collaborated closely with the Environment Agency to clear the site and have since brought it back to life in a safe and compliant manner. Now equipped with a cutting-edge sorting line, the Sheffield facility efficiently sorts mixed waste into separate waste streams, facilitating recycling, recovery, and reuse as it comes in. By investing in this new plant, we have not only been able to mitigate its environmental impact but also expand our operating area to the Sheffield city region,” explains Emma.
Diving further into the benefits brought about by this investment, Emma reveals how the Sheffield site will strengthen KCM’s ability to serve both new and existing clients. “Although we could have simply kept driving our trucks from our headquarters in Rotherham to wherever they are needed, this does not align with our commitment to the environment. The Sheffield site, which also serves as a transfer station for our fleet, allows us to keep our vehicles in the local area where they are needed, thereby eliminating the need to drive unnecessary miles. Our carbon reduction strategy is a key element in forging the future of our business, and reducing travel positively impacts our carbon footprint. Furthermore, being based in the city of Sheffield allows us to react to our customers more rapidly and efficiently. As a family business, our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and I believe this investment will significantly enhance our ability to serve them and continue to grow sustainably,” she adds.
Sustainable growth goes hand-in-hand with eco-friendly initiatives for KCM. Emma expands on the ways the company fosters sustainability in its operations. “Of course, I have already touched on the Sheffield project and how we have helped that region. But beyond that, we have made significant strides in Rotherham, where we have completely stopped using fossil fuels and switched to green electric. This was accomplished through a major investment of circa £500,000 towards our own on-site substation to back this commitment. Additionally, our professional recycling services sorting waste into individual streams ensures the maximum amount of recycled materials is recovered, further reducing our environmental impact,” she states.
Investments in technologies have also empowered KCM to reduce its carbon emissions while enhancing the efficiency and productivity of its processes. “Through significant investments in our fleet, we have introduced Euro 6 vehicles that minimise the harmful emissions we generate during waste collection. This also reduces the number of trips needed for split body vehicles, thereby further decreasing our carbon footprint. In addition, our recently upgraded software system is constantly reviewing and optimising our routes for increased efficiency and reduced unnecessary travel. Meanwhile, in the processing side of the business, our range of mechanical processing facilitates the splitting of mixed waste into single streams, promoting the circular economy. Through advanced recycling techniques, we can now extract all recyclable materials while the residual waste, which cannot be reused, is sent away to be converted into energy, thus eliminating the need for landfills,” Emma informs.
Exceptional service
On a different topic, Emma shares insights into the company culture fostered at KCM. “As we are still family-owned and operated, our culture fosters a strong sense of family values. Everyone signing their contract upon being employed with us becomes and feels like a valued member of our ever-growing family. Our family ethos permeates through the way we treat our staff, going the extra mile to support and develop them, just as we do for ourselves. At KCM, the hierarchy found in traditional companies and closed doors is absent; each of our employees is invested in the business and has a voice that is listened to. This openness facilitates efficient decision-making and enables us to react faster to the ever-evolving marketplace, embrace new technologies, and comply with changing legislation.”
In concluding our interview, Emma highlights a few more exciting and recent developments at KCM. “To expand our reach, we have decided to venture into West Yorkshire, initially operating on a small scale but with a view to grow bigger. Our entry into this new market provides customers with the the opportunity to work with a family business and support the local industry. Moreover, we have recently moved into the construction and demolition segment of our industry, partnering with Spartan Site Solutions, a well-respected local company. Through this collaboration, we are empowered to offer a comprehensive one-stop-shop solution for any customer, regardless of size, backed by the KCM guarantee of exceptional service and reliability,” she ends.
Through dedication to its employees, clients, and strategic investments enhancing efficiency and sustainability, KCM is poised to continue providing exemplary service while strengthening local communities with reliable waste solutions well into the future.