Wales Recycling up to 66.6%
Neal Soils Suppliers: Wales' Leading Recycler
Wales continues to lead the way in recycling, achieving a remarkable 66.6% municipal recycling rate for 2023/24 was confirmed on 31 October 2024, an increase from 65.7% in the previous year. Surpassing the 64% target set in the Welsh Government’s ‘Beyond Recycling’ strategy, this achievement underscores the collective efforts of local authorities, businesses, and residents.
Among these contributors, Neal Soils Suppliers stands out as the number one Welsh-based contributor to municipal recycling, as confirmed by Wales Stats.
In response to the report, it’s owner, David Neal, stated,
“While we are acknowledged as Wales’ leading recycler, we see this as a shared success. Our mission is to provide innovative recycling solutions, and we’re committed to supporting the Welsh Government’s vision of a sustainable future. Together, with our fellow resource industry partners and communities, we can achieve even more.”
Leading the Way in Disposal and Recycling
For over two decades, Neal Soils Suppliers has been at the forefront of recycling innovation. At the heart of their operations is it’s aggregate washing plant, which has undergone significant multi-million-pound investments in recent years. With an annual permitted capacity of 350,000 tonnes, the facility transforms inert soil and stone into high-quality, reusable materials.
The plant employs technology, including rinse decks, log washers and cyclone systems, to efficiently grade, separate, and process materials. By adhering to stringent industry quality protocols, all products meet end-of-waste criteria, providing sustainable solutions for construction and manufacturing sectors.
In addition, Neal Soil Suppliers not only provides evidence that materials are effectively recycled but also ensures transparency in the closed-loop recycling process, demonstrating how the recycled materials are repurposed locally by end users.
Driving Change Across the Dauson Group - Supporting Wales' Ambitions
Neal Soils Suppliers is part of the larger Dauson Group, which also includes Atlantic Recycling. Together, the group expands its impact by providing additional recycling solutions, further enhancing its contributions to Wales' recycling achievements.
As Wales continues to surpass its recycling targets, Neal Soil Suppliers remains committed to upholding its values of innovation, transparency, and collaboration, playing a key role in advancing the vision for a sustainable future in Wales.
Links:
Wrap Cymru "Your recycling and what happens to it"
Congratulations Megan: Child Of Wales Awards
Megan Thyer: 2024 Wales Child Award Winner
We are thrilled to congratulate 12-year-old Megan Thyer for winning the "Young Sporting Hero" award at the Wales Child Awards 2024, held in Swansea on 27th September. Megan, from Llanelli, is part of the Welsh & GB jujitsu squad and has competed internationally, securing two golds and two silvers in European competitions.
Dauson Environmental was proud to support Megan earlier in the year when at only aged 11 at the time, won Great Britain Jujitsu’s first ever European Gold Medal in Belgium at the Europa Cup.
The judging panel for "Young Sporting Hero" award, which included Welsh sporting greats Sir Gareth Edwards and Shane Williams, remarked:
"Despite her success, Megan remains humble and shares her knowledge with her teammates, inspiring them and boosting their confidence. Her role as a trailblazer makes her an excellent role model for young athletes in Wales and Great Britain, exemplifying dedication, humility, and self-belief."
Dauson Environmental continues to wish Megan success in her journey as she strives for excellence in jujitsu and is delighted to continue to support her continued journey as she now makes her way to the World Championships in Greece later this year.
Dauson Community Grant
As part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve, Dauson Environmental Group offers community grants to support individuals like Megan and local youth sports teams. These grants are available to any voluntary group or individual working to make a positive impact in their community. Applications can be submitted by completing this form.
If you know of a group or individual who could benefit from this support, we welcome you to get in touch.
Dauson: Building on Circularity
Dauson Environmental Group: Pioneering Circularity in Development
In an era where sustainability is more than just a buzzword, Dauson Environmental Group stands out as a beacon of innovation and commitment to circularity. Founded on the principles of environmental stewardship, Dauson has successfully integrated a holistic approach to its business operations, ensuring that every step in its process contributes to a sustainable future. The Group’s ethos of circularity is not only a testament to its dedication to the environment but also a model for how modern development should be approached.
At the heart of Dauson Environmental Group's success are several businesses, each playing a critical role in the circular process. Here’s a closer look at how these companies work together to transform brownfield sites into thriving communities.
Bluefield Land: Transforming Brownfields
Bluefield Land is the first step in Dauson’s circular journey. Specialising in the acquisition of brownfield sites, Bluefield identifies areas that have been previously used and are now ripe for redevelopment. By focusing on brownfields, Bluefield helps to reduce urban sprawl and promotes the reuse of land, which is a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Bluefield predominantly build affordable housing schemes for Local Authorities and Housing Associations in an approach to tackle the current UK housing crisis.
Cardiff Demolition: Clearing the Path
Once Bluefield Land has acquired a site, Cardiff Demolition steps in. Experts in demolition and site clearance, Cardiff Demolition carefully deconstructs existing structures, ensuring that materials are sorted and prepared for recycling. Their meticulous process ensures that as little waste as possible ends up in landfills, aligning perfectly with Dauson’s circular ethos.
Atlantic Recycling: Converting Waste to Resources
The materials recovered by Cardiff Demolition are then transported to Atlantic Recycling. Here, all recoverables are processed and recycled. Atlantic Recycling is adept at turning what was once considered waste into valuable resources, further minimising environmental impact and supporting the circular economy.
Cardiff Demolition: Crushing for Reuse
After the initial recycling phase, Cardiff Demolition takes on the task of crushing arisings into 6F2, a high-quality material used in construction. This crushed material is then ready to be reused on site, closing the loop on materials and ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Neal Remediation: Restoring Land for Future Use
Neal Remediation plays a crucial role in managing and remediating land to make it suitable for civil engineering projects. Their expertise in land restoration ensures that previously unusable sites are prepared for development, furthering Dauson Environmental Group’s commitment to sustainable land use.
Bluefield Land: Reusing Crushed Materials
The crushed material produced by Cardiff Demolition is then utilised by Bluefield Land on-site for various construction purposes. This not only reduces the need for new materials but also enhances the sustainability of the development process.
Neal Soils: Distributing Surplus
Any surplus material that is not needed on-site is handled by Neal Soils. They specialise in the sale and distribution of excess materials, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that other projects can benefit from high-quality, recycled materials.
Bluefield Land: Building the Future
The final step in the process is the construction of new housing on the recovered brownfield sites by Bluefield Land. These new developments are a testament to the effectiveness of Dauson Environmental Group’s circular approach, transforming once-neglected areas into vibrant communities.
A Model for Sustainable Development
The work being done by Dauson Environmental Group and its affiliated businesses is a prime example of how a commitment to circularity can lead to sustainable development. Each company within the group plays a vital role in ensuring that resources are used efficiently, waste is minimised, and the environmental impact is reduced.
By focusing on brownfield sites and integrating a circular process, Dauson Environmental Group not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also revitalises communities, creating a brighter, more sustainable future.
This innovative approach is what we are implementing at Porth, showcasing the power of circularity in action. As Dauson Environmental Group continues to grow, its commitment to these principles.
For more information regarding any of our services, please contact us.
Keltruck Strenghtens Partnership with Dauson
Dauson Environmental Group Strengthens Partnership with Keltruck
1st July 2024
Dauson Environmental Group has once again chosen Keltruck to enhance our fleet.
Richard Woodland, Account Manager of Keltruck, Cardiff, facilitated the supply of new vehicles to Dauson's South Wales-based fleets, commented,
"Thank you to Dauson Environmental Group for their continued loyalty to Keltruck and Scania. I was delighted to assist with Dauson’s further expansion by arranging the delivery of their latest batch of new trucks out of an order of 26 tippers, five hookloaders, and two skiploaders."
The latest tippers delivered to Neal Soil Suppliers feature Scania’s new, high-level, heavy-duty air filtration system—the first of their kind supplied in the UK. Atlantic Recycling ordered the five hookloaders and two 18-ton skiploaders with drawbar couplings, all equipped with Hyva equipment fitted and serviced by Reload Systems. Additionally, Dauson Environmental Group acquired multiple tractor units, with eight Scania R500 XT twin tag tractor units going into service last year.
Dauson use in the ongoing supply of Scania vehicles by Keltruck is expected to continue, especially following the introduction of their ultra-efficient ‘Scania Super’ engines, which have already resulted in a remarkable 20% improvement in fuel efficiency, significantly enhancing operational cost-effectiveness. In response to Keltrucks press release, Scott Haines, Transport manager for the group commented:
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Keltruck. The quality of the Scania vehicles and the exceptional service provided by the Keltruck team have been instrumental in our operational success. The new additions to our fleet, especially the Scania Super engines, have significantly boosted our efficiency and reduced our environmental impact. We look forward to many more years of successful collaboration."
Click here for Keltruck's full Press Release
This revised press release highlights the collaboration and mutual benefits between Dauson Environmental Group and Keltruck, emphasising the ongoing commitment to quality and efficiency in their operations.
Dauson Statement: Channel 4 Dispatches
Statement following Channel 4 Dispatches “Rubbish Tip Britain” first broadcast on Friday 21st June 2024
Date: 26th June 2024
Dauson Environmental Group is extremely disappointed with the tone, context, and content of the Channel 4 Dispatches “Rubbish Tip Britain” despite providing comprehensive information to the Production Company before broadcast.
Dauson Environmental Group employs over 250 people across Wales and contributes around £50m every year to the Welsh economy. The value at the core of our business is to clean up the environment, and as a business we are committed to recycling, redevelopment, and regeneration and are proud to provide a significant contribution to the total amount of waste recycling in Wales.
Waste management, by its very nature, is a highly regulated industry. Dauson Environmental Group is committed to maintaining these high standards of environmental management and transparency. We therefore regularly and openly engage with Natural Resources Wales and other appropriate stakeholders.
Withyhedge Landfill Site
Since the purchase of the site in 2022, Dauson Environmental Group has invested over £5m at the site in order to make significant improvements. We are unable to comment on activities relating to the site prior to our ownership. This includes alleged receipt of hazardous medical waste.
We are confident that the issue of odour has been resolved. In consultation with NRW, we have implemented measures to ensure that any odour from the site is minimised and does not affect the surrounding community.
We once again apologise for the impact this has had on local residents and our community.
However, whilst the broadcast stated that Public Health Wales has recently said that “hydrogen sulphide levels had exceeded safe levels”, in fact the levels recorded have only exceeded those associated with odour nuisance, not safety thresholds.
It should also be noted that Public Health Wales’ statement relates to a snapshot from approximately three months ago when samples were tested. Independent sampling and testing has been taking place for some time and we welcome updated sampling and testing to reassure the community.
Having reviewed footage of the alleged leachate leak captured by drone footage, we can advise that this shows a discharge into a containment ditch for surface water collection, and not into a waterway. This was not reported as such in the broadcast.
We understand that NRW is investigating water pollution in the area more generally which is likely to involve a number of local operators as well as other facilities further upstream. It is inappropriate to comment further until the investigation is concluded.
Waste Management
Withyhedge Landfill site does not knowingly accept non-conforming waste. This includes plasterboard, wood, tyres, and metal girders; Our waste acceptance procedures are stringent to prevent such materials from entering our site.
Our leachate is managed in strict accordance with our leachate management plan. We should make clear that the re-circulation of leachate is an accepted practice and not a violation of our permit. In addition, in excess of 35,000 tonnes of leachate has been removed from site in the past 12 months for treatment.
We are not aware of any ongoing inquiry into waste mis-categorisation or tax improprieties; however, we are committed to working with regulators to address any issues that may arise.
It should be noted that the claim in the programme that a typical artic load is between 30 and 40 tonnes is incorrect. The average load weight at our site is between 20 and 25 tonnes.
Drone footage
Dauson Environmental Group categorically denies the allegations of gunshots on our site. We would suggest that the investigators confused the noise with automated ‘bird scarers’ which are deployed on site
Dauson aids Wales to 2nd in the World
Dauson Environmental Group Proudly Contributes to National Achievement
5th June 2024
Wales Secures Second Place in Global Recycling Rankings
On June 5th 2024, Wales was officially recognised as the second-best country in the world for recycling, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s environmental efforts. This outstanding achievement is attributed to the collaborative efforts of various organisations, including Dauson Environmental Group and its subsidiary, Neal Soil Suppliers, which emerged as the leading destination for recycling in Wales.
To achieve this, Neal Soil Suppliers has invested in advanced recycling systems, featuring state-of-the-art wash plant facility, to enable the efficient recovery of both hazardous and non-hazardous soil and stone, including municipal street sweeping collections. In addition to this and through its extensive network of partners, Neal Soils exemplifies the closed-loop recycling model, ensuring that new, recovered materials are reintegrated into the supply chain. Remarkably, over 95% of new materials created by Neal Soils are reused within the Southeast Wales locality.
In addition to soil and stone recovery, Dauson Environmental Group extends its recycling solutions through Atlantic Recycling. This subsidiary manages the recycling of diverse materials such as mattresses, plasterboard, and mixed household materials, further contributing to Wales’ recycling achievements
Neal Soils Ranks Top of Wales’ Recycling Destinations
David Neal, Director for Dauson Environmental, expressed his pride in the company’s contribution to Wales’ recycling success.
“As a wholly Welsh, independent company, Dauson Environmental provides a necessary avenue to ensure Welsh material is not only treated in Wales, but new materials are reused in Wales also. We are delighted to be part of the success story of Wales as a world leader in recycling.”
As part of the announcement of Wales’ achievement, Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies added,
This is excellent news and, with the action we are already taking, we are working towards challenging for the top spot.
In rolling out the successful approach to household recycling to our workplaces, we are also taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency, while providing important benefits to the economy, by capturing a resilient supply of high-quality recycled materials.
This is so important for Wales because it means capturing high quality recycling that is fed back into the economy and supports creating jobs, with a high percentage staying in Wales and the wider UK for processing.
It also helps us tackle the climate and nature emergencies by reducing our carbon emissions and avoiding the need to extract raw materials with the damage they can bring.
I often talk about a Welsh way of doing things and the team effort which had led to today’s achievement is one should all be rightly proud of – da iawn Cymru!
Dauson Environmental Group has made a significant impact on the national recycling effort, contributing to approximately 5% to Wales’ total recycling volume of 920,000 tonnes. This achievement underscores the vital role that independent, local companies play in supporting Wales’ goal towards a ‘Net Zero Wales’ and we look forward to supporting this agenda with Government and our partners.
Wash Plant Upgrade Completed
Dauson Environmental Group Announces Completion of Wash Plant Extension at Neal Soil Suppliers Ltd.
25th May 2024
This month, Dauson Environmental Group are pleased to announce the completion of the wash plant extension at Neal Soil Suppliers Ltd. This significant expansion which has taken over 18 months to complete and backed by an investment of over £6 million, underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and operational excellence, ensuring long-term reliability in processing both hazardous and non-hazardous soils.
The wash plant, which is over 15 years old, has been significantly upgraded to incorporate the latest green technologies. These improvements make our processes far more efficient and environmentally friendly, while also expanding our production capacity. The new extension allows us to transform these materials into high-quality, reusable resources, contributing to a circular economy. Key upgrades include enhanced screening capabilities and advanced cyclone extraction of sands, which significantly improve the efficiency and quality of our soil processing. This investment ensures maximum recovery of materials handled through the site, optimising resource utilisation and minimising waste.
Additionally, the expansion includes an upgraded filter cake press process, which now utilises repurposed machinery from the redundant Tower Colliery mine in Aberdare. We are delighted to see this equipment, once used within the Welsh coal industry, being given new life in a next-generation environmental initiative.
The site also enjoyed an upgrade and expansion to its bunded processing and storage site with the laying of almost 10,000 cubic meters of concrete.
David Neal, CEO of Neal Soil Suppliers Ltd, commented on the completion:
“We are thrilled to see the wash plant extension come to fruition. This investment not only enhances our operational capabilities but also reflects our commitment to sustainable practices. By incorporating new technologies, we can ensure that our processes are efficient and more environmentally friendly, while sustaining our ability to provide high-quality recycled materials for our customers”.
This project represents a major milestone for Neal Soil Suppliers Ltd and Dauson Environmental Group, reinforcing our dedication to innovative and sustainable practices within the industry.
"Pride of Wales" Awards 2024
Atlantic Recycling Supports Nation Radio’s “Pride of Wales” Event 2024
Atlantic Recycling is delighted to announce its continued support for Nation Radio’s “Pride of Wales” event in 2024. As a key sponsor, Atlantic Recycling reaffirms its commitment to celebrating and recognising the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across Wales.
The “Pride of Wales” event, hosted annually by Nation Radio, honours those who have made significant contributions to their communities. This prestigious event highlights the dedication, courage, and extraordinary efforts of people who have gone above and beyond to make Wales a better place.
Darren Griffiths, Commercial Director for Atlantic Recycling, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for being involved in this inspiring initiative once again.
“We are proud to support Nation Radio’s ‘Pride of Wales’ event for another year. Celebrating the remarkable achievements of individuals and organisations within our community aligns perfectly with our values at Atlantic Recycling. It’s an honour to be part of recognising those who make a real difference in our society.”
Atlantic Recycling’s partnership with the “Pride of Wales” event underscores its broader commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. By supporting events that celebrate local heroes, the company not only contributes to recognising their achievements but also inspires others to take positive action within their communities.
Nation Radio’s “Pride of Wales” event will take place on 11th July 2024 at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, promising to be a memorable evening filled with stories of heroism, dedication, and community spirit. As the date approaches, nation radio are appealing for nominations. All details on how you can nominate your champion can be found here.
New Community Batting Net Facility
Atlantic Recycling Supports Llandaff Cricket Club at Launch of New Community Batting Net Facility
14th May 2024
On10th May 2024, Atlantic Recycling proudly supported Llandaff Cricket Club in the launch of their new community batting net facility at Llandaff Fields, Cardiff. The event marked a significant milestone for the club, enhancing its facilities and further promoting community engagement and inclusivity.
The launch event was attended by key figures from Welsh and Local Government, Cricket Wales and other community representatives including Dauson Group. Carl Alexis from Criced Cymru/Cricket Wales praised the new facility, stating, "This is what good looks like." The sentiment was echoed by everyone present, reflecting the positive impact of the new development on the local community.
Ben Maizey from Dauson Group, presented with a framed shirt by the club in recognition of the company’s support, expressed his delight at being part of the initiative.
"What a pleasure to continue to support this wonderful club, especially in light of recent racist attacks, with the opening of a new batting net facility. A club of diversity, Llandaff Cricket Club continues to show strength and progression in unity and inclusivity. A true success story and one that we are happy to support and be part of".
The new batting net facility is expected to provide a much-needed space for players of all ages and skill levels to practice and improve their batting techniques. It stands as a testament to the club's commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone in the community.
Llandaff Cricket Club, known for its diverse membership and inclusive approach, has been a beacon of strength and unity, particularly in the face of recent challenges. The new facility not only enhances the club’s physical resources but also reinforces its dedication to promoting inclusivity and community spirit.
Atlantic Recycling's continued annual sponsorship support for Llandaff Cricket Club underscores its commitment to community engagement and sustainability. The company’s involvement in
the launch of the new batting net facility highlights the importance of corporate support in driving positive community initiatives.
The successful launch event at Llandaff Fields was a celebration of community spirit, inclusivity, and the shared love of cricket. It showcased the collective effort of local organisations and the community in creating a supportive and enriching environment for all.