Recycling and Sustainability at Storage Coombe
Storage Coombe is committed to operating as an eco-conscious storage and clearance provider. From the way we manage every eco-friendly waste disposal area on our premises to the careful planning of each sustainable rubbish removal area, we focus on minimising landfill, cutting carbon, and supporting our local community.
Our Recycling Percentage Target
We have set a clear recycling percentage target: to recycle or reuse at least 85 percent of all materials that pass through Storage Coombe by the end of next year. We are already close to this goal and constantly reviewing our processes to push that figure even higher over time.
This target covers a broad range of items commonly found in storage units and during clearances, including cardboard, paper, metals, rigid plastics, electrical goods, textiles, and reusable household items. By separating materials at source in each eco-friendly waste disposal area, we give them the best possible chance of being recycled locally instead of ending up in landfill.
Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal Areas On Site
Every Storage Coombe site includes a dedicated eco-friendly waste disposal area designed to make responsible recycling simple for our customers and staff. Clear signage and colour-coded containers reflect the approach used by many local boroughs, where dry mixed recycling, food waste, glass, and residual rubbish are separated to improve recycling performance.
Customers are encouraged to sort materials before disposing of them, and our team is trained to identify items that can be recycled or reused. Cardboard from moving boxes is flattened and baled, metal items are collected for specialist recycling, and small electricals are set aside for compliant processing under local rules for electronic waste.
Sustainable Rubbish Removal Areas
For larger clearances, we use dedicated sustainable rubbish removal areas where materials are checked, sorted, and weighed before leaving the site. This process helps us track how close we are to our recycling percentage target and identify new opportunities to recover more resources.
We mirror the waste separation practices promoted across London boroughs, ensuring items such as glass jars, metal cans, cardboard, and certain plastics are segregated into appropriate streams. Where boroughs place special emphasis on food waste or garden waste collections, we work to keep these materials free from contamination so that they can be processed into compost or energy.
Working with Local Transfer Stations
Storage Coombe has established strong working relationships with licensed local transfer stations. These facilities are crucial in our commitment to sustainable rubbish removal, as they provide further sorting, quality control, and access to specialist recycling outlets.
By sending separated loads to transfer stations instead of mixed general waste, we support a circular approach that channels materials into local recycling plants and recovery facilities. This includes paper and cardboard reprocessing, metal recycling, plastics recovery, and safe handling for items that require special treatment, such as fridges, televisions, and certain batteries.
Partnerships with Local Charities
Recycling is only one part of our sustainability approach. Where possible, we prioritise reuse through strong partnerships with local charities and community organisations. Good quality furniture, working appliances, books, clothing, toys, and household items are assessed in our eco-friendly waste disposal area and diverted for donation whenever appropriate.
These partnerships help extend the life of items, support families and individuals in need, and reduce the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products. Before anything is consigned to recycling or disposal, our team looks for opportunities to donate it, in line with local reuse initiatives supported by several boroughs.
Low-Carbon Vans and Smarter Transport Planning
Our commitment to sustainable rubbish removal also extends to how we move items. Storage Coombe is rolling out a fleet of low-carbon vans, including modern fuel-efficient models and, where routes allow, hybrid or fully electric vehicles. This reduces emissions during collections, deliveries, and transfers to local facilities.
We optimise routes to cut unnecessary mileage, consolidate collections where practical, and plan drop-offs to coincide with trips to nearby transfer stations or charity partners. This smarter logistics approach helps lower our carbon footprint and reduces congestion on local streets.
Supporting Local Borough Recycling Goals
We actively align our practices with the recycling and waste separation guidance issued by nearby councils. That includes following local rules for separating paper and cardboard, glass, metals, plastics, and food waste, as well as complying with controls on hazardous or restricted items such as paint, gas bottles, and certain electricals.
By mirroring the way borough recycling services operate, we make it easier for materials leaving our sustainable rubbish removal areas to be processed efficiently within the existing local infrastructure. This approach helps boost regional recycling rates and ensures that our activities contribute positively to wider environmental targets.
Continuous Improvement and Transparency
Sustainability at Storage Coombe is an ongoing journey. We review our performance every quarter, tracking the proportion of items that are reused, recycled, recovered as energy, or sent to landfill. These figures guide investments in better sorting equipment, staff training, low-carbon vans, and improved eco-friendly waste disposal areas across our sites.
As we refine our operations, we will continue to raise our recycling percentage target and share information on our progress. Our aim is to make it easy for every customer storing with us to know that their unwanted items are handled in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
