The picture of Andy Cattigan - taken by Philip Hollis - that appeared in the Daily Telegraph.

Waste King, the specialist collections, clearance and recycling company – and, it must be said, a client of Bob Little Press & PR – followed up being mentioned in The Sunday Times’ Appointments section on 15^th July with being featured in the Business section of the Daily Telegraph on 16^th July.

The company, which recently won a Gold Award from the National Recycling Stars Scheme which rewards an organisation’s commitment to increasing the amount of waste it recycles and improving the environmental awareness of its staff, was featured in the Daily Telegraph as an exemplar – for a small business – of ‘helping local people and improving the environment’.

According to the Daily Telegraph article, ‘[Waste King’s] turnover has increased from £26,000 in 2008 to £588,000 last year. But the … company has only one eye on profits and has taken several extra steps to ensure it has a positive impact on local people’s lives. The business diverts some of the higher-quality waste to good causes, including clothes and shoes to the Salvation Army and records, CDs and DVDs to the British Heart Foundation. It also donates a selection of old computers to a severely autistic local man called Matthew, who finds comfort in dismantling and rebuilding them… Being environmentally friendly is also a major focus. The firm’s ethos is to reduce long-term pollution by sending the smallest amount of waste possible to landfill and it guarantees to recycle at least 85 per cent of what it collects…’

Andy Cattigan, Waste King’s operations director, commented: “If you’re in the waste and recycling business, it’s important to be seen not only as professional and competent, but also as caring for the environment. It’s important that Waste King provides a ‘green’ and ‘clean’ service as well as a competitive one.”

The previous day, Waste King’s managing director, Glenn Currie, had been quoted in an article in The Sunday Times about the use of humour in the workplace.

“Everybody at work needs to understand when it is OK to tell jokes, as well as which topics are acceptable and which are not,” said Currie. “Our Environment Agency-licensed staff often get ‘mucky’ and difficult jobs to do and a bit of banter between workmates can help pass the time. On the other hand, employees clearing out the house of someone who has died would need to take a respectful tone when introducing themselves to relatives. As the job goes on, they might then see that it’s OK to have a bit more banter. It’s all about using emotional intelligence.”

He added: “Appropriate humour is the shortest distance between two people and, in the right context, brings you closer to people – and it helps to make people happy.

“Of course, one of the key ways in which we make our customers happy is by meeting their needs and disposing of their waste in the most environmentally friendly way – notably recycling it,” Currie continued.

To see the articles, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/sme-business-essentials/9397531/environment-business-waste-king.html and

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/Appointments/article1080755.ece

Comment: Modesty forbids one – except to say ‘ congratulations’ to Waste King on being recognised for a highly creditable environmentally friendly – and responsible – approach to business.