The introduction of the district’s new food waste service is providing 25 permanent jobs at East Hampshire Norse (EHN), and many of them have gone to East Hampshire residents.
The service (which launched on 5 October) currently includes seven new vehicles, each with a three-person crew (one driver and two loaders). Each of the crews has at least one experienced team member who knows the area well and has worked for East Hampshire Norse for a while – EHN has recruited new staff to replace any who have moved internally.
The service collected a total of more than 49 tonnes of food waste in its second week, an increase of 14% on the week before.
Find out more about the food waste service
Councillor Robert Mocatta, East Hampshire District Council portfolio holder for Regeneration and Prosperity (which includes climate and environment), said:
“The expansion of our environmental services to include food waste collections is producing more than the obvious benefits of natural gas and fertiliser.
“It’s great that East Hampshire Norse has been able to provide these new jobs in the East Hampshire economy, and that most of them have been filled by local people.”
Simon Whittle, Operations Manager at East Hampshire Norse, said:
“Working on a bin crew is hard work in all weathers and not everyone is suited to it.
“I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm of our new staff, some of whom have never worked in waste services before.
“They’re a credit to East Hampshire Norse and the district, and a vital part of why we’ve been able to start the food waste collection service so successfully.”
If you, or someone you know, are interested in working for East Hampshire Norse, you can find job listings on the Norse Group website.