•Biffa has launched its search for a ‘Change Maker’ – a sustainable entrepreneur (with a business or simply an idea) reusing or recycling waste materials to create new products – and the prize is lifechanging

•The winner will receive £10,000 and tailored support (like a marketing strategy or premises) helping them make an even greater difference

•Candidates can apply via the Biffa website by submitting a 60-second video at https://www.biffa.co.uk/campaigns/changemakers before 30th April

•A judging panel will shortlist, but the public has the ultimate vote

•The remarkable story of Biffa’s first Change Maker – Kate Doran, of small business Flotsam Flo – who upcycles waste items like inflatables and wetsuits into accessories, shows the transformative impact of such support

•It’s part of Biffa’s mission to show the value of waste and help likeminded people create a micro circular economy locally

•Learn all about the competition and inspiring Flotsam Flo by watching this video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0lu3rk1g82h7uv7tqpepo/Change-Makers-A-Roll.mp4?rlkey=djey51rk81x6cdwo7s6qo9je5&dl=0 (credit: PA)

MARCH 2024: One sustainable entrepreneur using waste to create new products – in turn helping the UK’s circular economy – will win £10,000 and tailored business support from Biffa.

The UK’s leading sustainable waste management company has launched a nationwide search for its next ‘Change Maker’ as part of its What Iff campaign.

Biffa will collaborate with the winner to assess the support required and how it will be best used. That might be finding space to work from, logistical advice or a marketing strategy.

There’s no need to own an established business, either. Biffa wants to hear from anyone with a sustainable idea or skill which could grow into something more. You simply need to be passionate about reusing and / or recycling.

How to enter

Prospective Change Makers can apply by recording a 60-second video. They need to explain their business concept, why they believe themselves to be a Change Maker and how Biffa can help. Videos should be submitted via WeTransfer to changemakers@biffa.co.uk along with a completed submission form via the website.

The judging process

The deadline for entries is 30th April, when a panel of Biffa and external judges will shortlist a final five. The ultimate decision will be down to the public, who can vote via Biffa’s website and social channels. The worthy winner will then be announced at Biffa’s Waste Net Zero event in June 2024.

How life changed for one Change Maker

Biffa’s existing Change Maker Kate Doran’s small sustainable business Flotsam Flo has gone from strength-to-strength after receiving its support.

This includes a studio space to craft, and host workshops, in. Kate, 39, now also has 14 branded bins at holiday parks across Cornwall. Visitors fill these with wetsuits, windbreaks, and inflatables (all either broken or with no further use) that can take up to 100 years to biodegrade so she receives lots of waste from the local area. Biffa collects and returns the materials to Kate’s studio so she can give them a second life as one-of-a-kind accessories like purses, bags and keyrings. She’s also received invaluable mentoring from its sustainability experts.

Now, Biffa wants to help another entrepreneur unlock value through waste and enable a micro circular economy where they live. It’s part of its bigger mission to encourage the nation to see waste differently.

Kate Doran commented:

“I’ve always been passionate about recycling and reuse, but my background isn’t in business. Working with Biffa has taken Flotsam Flo to a level I never dreamed of. From mentoring me to facilitating logistics so I have a constant stream of waste to work with (and keep in the circular economy) the team has supported me not just professionally but personally too. I’ve grown in confidence and feel so connected to my local community.

“It’s the individual efforts of sustainable entrepreneurs that add up to make a big difference to our planet. No idea or business is too small – go for it. Apply today.”

Biffa’s Head of Partnerships, Carla Brian, further commented:

“At Biffa, we see the potential value in surplus and waste, and work closely with businesses to help them unlock this value through redistribution, reuse and recycling.

“We’re proud to now be taking take this a step further by launching the Change Makers competition so a likeminded entrepreneur can benefit from the £10,000 prize and our expert support – whether we’re boosting an existing sustainable venture or kickstarting a new one.

“We believe that innovation often starts at a local level. That’s why we’re eager to find budding entrepreneurs with, or aspiring to have, small businesses that will make a difference in their community with our help. Our aim is to enable micro circular economies across the country.”

Submissions close 30th April 2024.

For further information, visit https://www.biffa.co.uk/campaigns/changemakers.

Terms and conditions: https://www.biffa.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/changemakers-competition-terms.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Biffa Change Makers

At Biffa, we see waste differently. We see waste as valuable materials, and we help businesses unlock its value through reuse, redistribution and recycling. Whether it is upcycling our fleet of diesel refuse collection trucks to electric powertrains or finding a new life for our customer’s unwanted plastic inflatables, we’re always on the lookout for likeminded businesses who see things differently. If your business is making changes by giving new life to waste materials and you are looking for support, you could win £10,000 and become the next Biffa Change Maker. You don’t even need to be an established business – you might just have an idea or a particular skill that you wish to grow into a business.

How to enter

•Visit https://www.biffa.co.uk/campaigns/changemakers

•Record a 60-second film, answering the following questions:

oWhat is your business concept? Tell us about why you started it

oWhy are you a Change Maker?

oHow do you think Biffa can help you?

•Fill out the submission form at https://www.biffa.co.uk/campaigns/changemakers/changemakers-entry

•Submit your video via WeTransfer to changemakers@biffa.co.uk

•Follow Biffa’s social media channels for updates:

oFacebook /biffawasteservices

oX (formerly Twitter) @biffa

oLinkedIn @biffa

Competition terms and conditions: https://www.biffa.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/changemakers-competition-terms

The judging process

•In April, all entries will be judged by a panel of Biffa and external judges

•Five finalists will be shortlisted and move to the voting stage

•The public will vote for the winning Change Maker via Biffa’s website and social channels

•The winner will be officially announced at Biffa’s Waste Net Zero event in June 2024

About Biffa’s What Iff campaign

Biffa has been collecting waste for over 100 years, and does more than collect and manage waste. It has been driving change by asking the right questions, like What iff...? The company has ways of reducing waste that may come as a surprise, whether repackaging biscuits for redistribution or collecting expired PPE to be transformed into dog beds. Ultimately, in setting out to answer the question ‘What iff brand new was old news?’, Biffa aims to encourage the nation to see waste differently, enabling micro circular economies and encouraging innovative change along the way.

About Biffa: The UK’s leading sustainable waste management company

Biffa PLC is a leading UK-based integrated waste management company that provides collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, and energy generation services to a wide range of customers across the public and private sectors. With over 8,000 employees and a fleet of over 3,000 vehicles, Biffa is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable waste management solutions that reduce waste, increase recycling rates, and preserve the environment.

Founded in 1912, Biffa has a long and proud history of providing high-quality waste management services to communities and businesses across the UK. Today, the company operates over 200 facilities nationwide, including waste transfer stations, recycling plants, landfill sites, and energy recovery facilities.

Biffa is committed to operating in a responsible and sustainable manner and has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint, increase recycling rates, and minimise waste. The company is also committed to investing in the latest technology and infrastructure to ensure that it can continue to provide the best possible service to its customers, while reducing its impact on the environment.

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