Drurys Engineering, part of the Amcomri PLC Group, partnered with Waste Mission to transform its waste management systems. This collaboration not only streamlined the waste management processes and boosted recycling rates but also supported the company in achieving ISO 14001 certification.
At a glance
Hertfordshire-based Drurys Engineering was preparing for ISO14001 accreditation and significant production growth, but the team recognised that their waste management system would not keep pace.
In common with many engineering firms, the waste streams being generated by engineering processes, especially scrap metal, were complex and challenging to segregate. The team were also keen to cement their commitment to improving environmental performance by securing the ISO 14001 certification.
So, the Drurys team sat down with their longstanding partner, leading sustainable waste management experts Waste Mission, to devise a total waste management strategy that would help them revolutionise their waste streams, increase recycling rates, cut costs and prepare for growth.
Specific challenges for Drurys Engineering
Precision engineering company Drurys is a leading manufacturer of components for the aerospace, defence, and other industrial sectors. It has provided state-of-the-art manufacturing, machining and assembly for more than 20 years – and it has partnered with Waste Mission for its scrap metal recycling since 2014.
One of Drurys’ main concerns was that its previous system required a large security skip for aluminium swarf and smaller containers for non-ferrous swarf, all of which took up valuable space on site. Scaling up production would require more waste-storage capacity, and its recycling systems did not allow for contaminants such as coolant to be filtered out, meaning that any metal it could recycle was of poor quality.
The company were also facing a question of how to dispose of various waste that had been stored on site, including WEEE waste, which was taking up valuable space.
Wider challenges for the manufacturing industry
Solving the challenge of how to recycle metal scraps such as aluminium swarf (chips or filings) is central to the sustainability of metal sourcing and the manufacturing economy.
Finding ways to recycle more metal and reduce contamination could save significant costs in producing raw material and energy, cutting emissions and boosting profitability. The need to recycle more metals is growing ever more pressing, driven by factors such as price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
The benefits of a thorough waste review
Waste Mission began its journey in the UK over 40 years ago as a specialist metal recycling company, and has expanded its business to include a wide range of other waste management solutions. Waste Mission and Drurys have collaborated over the last decade, first through a focus on scrap metal, and then in developing a comprehensive waste management system, enhancing both the company’s sustainability and profitability.
After dealing with their scrap metal efficiently for years, Drurys asked the Waste Mission team if they could support them with other waste streams, helping the company to work towards their ISO 14001 status.
Through a thorough waste review process on site, it was revealed that waste management would be enhanced through further segregation on site. Waste Mission provided additional containers to facilitate this. The efficiency of space use on site was also identified as an area for improvement. After a backlog of aluminium swarf and oil containers was recycled, extra containers were introduced for an ongoing and efficient waste segregation and collection schedule.
Mike Danson, Operations Manager of Drurys says
‘Over the past year, Waste Mission has played a critical and integral role in our ISO 14001 implementation journey. Their expertise and support ensured our waste streams are not only managed efficiently and in line with legislative requirements but also optimised through the implementation of new waste management technology on-site. This collaboration has even allowed us to increase the value of some of our recyclable waste streams.
The integrated team support from Waste Mission has been indispensable. Their service has made our waste management significantly more efficient and effective, directly contributing to Drurys' ongoing business growth and development.’
Waste Mission’s solutions
1 – Processing swarf
Acting on Waste Mission’s advice, Drurys installed a pucking machine which not only compacts aluminium swarf into ‘pucks’ (briquettes) but also separates fluids and oils associated with the cutting process, such as coolants.
By installing the new machine, the company has significantly improved efficiency and safety. The machine compacts scrap metal directly into briquettes, reducing the volume and eliminating the need for a large skip in favour of smaller, more manageable stillages. This process not only increases the scrap's value but also allows for the recovery and reuse of extracted coolant, creating a new revenue stream. Additionally, its integrated wheelie-bin tipper minimises manual handling, removing the need to tip swarf from height and greatly enhancing health and safety on site.
2 – Waste segregation
Another key step forward was segregating different types of waste to make them easier to dispose of and recycle. A new internal bin system now segregates aerosols, coolant spill kits, oily rags, electrical and electronic waste, plastic swarf and hazardous waste.
3 – Streamlining collections
In keeping with its strong focus on sustainability, Waste Mission now collects some of Drurys’ other waste streams alongside its scrap metal to reduce vehicle movements and collections’ carbon footprint. For example, oily rags and waste coolant are also collected on Waste Mission vehicles that gather scrap metal.
4 – Increasing transparency and visibility
Drurys is now utilising the Waste Mission customer portal, which provides the team with full visibility across all their recycling metrics, helping them pass waste management audits and demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations.
A shared commitment through collaboration
Mike Danson, Operations Manager of Drurys, says:
‘Drurys Engineering Ltd is delighted to announce its successful implementation of ISO 14001 certification, achieved on the first attempt with no non-conformances. This significant accomplishment was made possible through our longstanding and exceptional partnership with Waste Mission.
For many years, Waste Mission has been an invaluable partner, consistently providing friendly, helpful, and supportive waste management services. Their commitment to excellence has been instrumental in enabling Drurys' continuous business improvement.’
Robert Pepperell, Commercial Manager of Waste Mission, says:
‘The importance of recycling metal is stronger today than at any other point in our 40-year history in the sector. It has been hugely rewarding to collaborate with another local company with similar values in ways that have streamlined its waste management processes, improved its sustainability and boosted its bottom line. Our proactive account management style means we can also prompt for collections when in the area, or give cheaper alternatives when a request is made.”
If you’d like to find out how Waste Mission can help your business, book a no-obligation waste review today.
