O'Brien Waste Recycling Solutions wins contract with Nexus

by Karen Dent, The Journal
Sep 27 2012

Ian Turnbull of O'Brien Waste Recycling Solutions with Tom Pinder of Nexus

A FAST-growing waste recycling business has scooped a high- profile contract with Metro operator Nexus.

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (PTA) has appointed East Boldon-based O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions to collect general, electrical, builders and trackside waste plus scrap metal from the Metro and South Shields Ferry Terminals.

The family-run business, which turned over £33m last year and employs 350 people at its sites in Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside, has invested in three new bin collection lorries after the successful tender, bringing its fleet to 150-plus vehicles.

O’Brien already works with big names in the region, including Metrocentre, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle and Sunderland football clubs, Sage Gateshead, Northumbria and Durham police and Newcastle Airport.

Nathan O’Brien, director of waste management at the firm, said: “The Nexus contract is an excellent addition to our portfolio of high-profile clients and we are delighted to be working with them.

“Our investment in new vehicles demonstrates the commitment we have to providing high quality, bespoke services which exceed the expectations of our clients whilst at the same time being competitively priced.

“It’s worth a significant amount. The contract requires a significant amount of investment from both Nexus and O’Brien with an aim to ultimately achieve 100% landfill diversion.”

The business has also employed a new account manager to oversee improvements and implement new recycling methods for Nexus staff to adopt, as part of the contract. Tom Pinder, infrastructure manager for Nexus, said: “O’Brien’s won through in a competitive tendering process in which it impressed both in the quality of service it could offer and value for money.”

The non-hazardous waste collected from Nexus sites will be taken to one of the O’Brien’s centres, where it will be processed for recycling.

In addition to waste recycling services for large companies, O’Brien also collects and disposes of waste for retailers, restaurants, pubs and offices across the region.