PHS’ journey to reduce waste and emissions across the UK

In 2016, PHS started its LifeCycle programme with a simple goal: to reduce sanitary waste going to landfills by sending it to Energy from Waste (EFW) facilities instead. This change has helped PHS to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions and champion eco-friendly practices in the hygiene sector.

PHS milestones include:

• Since 2016 PHS has reduced its emissions by c148 million kgCO2e;
• Year-on-year the business has significantly grown its percentage diversion levels, whilst simultaneously growing the total volume of wasted collected;
• In 2016 PHS collected c40 000 tonnes of waste and diverted just 17.5% from landfills; and
• By 2023, the volume was up 72%, to c69 000 tonnes and 92.4% of this waste was sent for energy recovery.

This journey included strategic supply chain relationships, and in 2019 PHS signed a five-year deal with a leading waste management company, who is the number one provider in the UK in terms of capacity of EFW. This relationship started at four EFW plants and has now extended to seven, with a national footprint.

This partnership has been so successful that in 2022, PHS extended it through to 2029.

PHS also has relationships with several other key EFW operators. Making use of various facilities across the UK has enabled year-on-year increases in waste diversion and volume.

PHS now covers all major UK cities, with only remote areas still using landfills. Working towards 100% diversion, PHS is committed to extending its footprint as new EFW facilities become available.

Making a real difference in reducing waste and protecting our environment is at the heart of the LifeCycle programme.

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