Enviro Waste Management has introduced a new operational approach designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve fleet efficiency by removing unnecessary overnight dustcart usage from its sack collection services.

The company previously used dustcarts across both daytime bin collections and overnight sack collection routes, with sack collections taking place between 12am and 6am.

Following an internal operational review, Enviro Waste Management has now transitioned overnight sack collections onto smaller collection vehicles, while reserving dustcarts exclusively for daytime bin collection operations.

The change means large refuse vehicles are no longer being operated continuously across both day and night shifts.

For waste operators, fuel consumption remains one of the largest operational costs across collection services, particularly for heavy vehicles operating within urban environments. Large refuse collection vehicles consume substantially more fuel than smaller transport alternatives due to their weight, stop-start routing patterns and onboard compacting systems.

As fuel prices and operational costs continue to rise across the industry, many waste companies are increasingly reviewing fleet structures and route planning to identify opportunities for greater efficiency without compromising service reliability.

Enviro Waste Management says the operational review was driven by a wider assessment of how vehicle allocation could be improved across different collection types and time periods.

According to the company, the restructure significantly reduces fuel usage and unnecessary energy consumption without affecting customer collections.

“Dustcarts are essential for larger bin collection operations, but they also consume significantly more fuel due to their size and onboard systems,” said John Kinful, Operations Manager at Enviro Waste Management.

“When we reviewed our overnight sack collections, it became clear that smaller vehicles could complete the same work far more efficiently.”

Reducing unnecessary heavy vehicle usage

Unlike standard vans or smaller trucks, dustcarts require additional energy to operate hydraulic systems and compacting equipment throughout collection routes.

By removing dustcart usage from overnight sack collections, Enviro Waste Management expects to reduce overall fleet fuel consumption, minimise unnecessary engine operation, improve route efficiency, produce lower operational emissions and extend the operational lifespan of heavy collection vehicles.

The company says the operational adjustment forms part of a broader focus on improving efficiency through practical logistics decisions rather than headline sustainability claims.

Smarter operational planning

Rather than relying solely on carbon offsetting or environmental claims, Enviro Waste Management says the focus is on identifying practical operational improvements that reduce waste across the business itself.

The company believes small logistical decisions can collectively have a meaningful impact on fuel usage, efficiency and environmental performance over time.

The company also says operational sustainability is becoming increasingly important for customers looking to work with suppliers that can demonstrate measurable efficiency improvements rather than broad environmental statements alone.

By restructuring collection methods and reducing unnecessary heavy vehicle usage, Enviro Waste Management believes waste operators can improve both operational performance and environmental impact simultaneously.

The company has also introduced more structured sack delivery scheduling for certain customers to reduce repeat journeys and improve logistical efficiency across multi-site operations.

“We’re constantly reviewing how we operate day to day,” added John.

“Sometimes the smarter decision is simply using the right vehicle for the right job. Small operational improvements can create meaningful reductions in fuel usage over time.”

A new industry event, the Hospitality Social Media Summit (HoSS), is set to debut in London on 3–4 September 2026, offering an education-focused forum for hotels, resorts, restaurants and hospitality brands, led by former senior figures from IHG and Hyatt.

Created by Kordie and co-produced with Whitney Reynolds, former Global Director of Social Marketing at IHG Hotels & Resorts, the Summit is designed to move social media beyond content activity and into measurable commercial impact.

Alisa Kremer, Founder of Kordie said: “Hospitality social media has outgrown the content calendar. It now sits at the centre of awareness, reputation, and direct bookings, but most training has not caught up. This is a working summit where teams build the operating models they need to take social seriously at the boardroom level.”

Whitney Reynolds spent 12 years leading global social strategy, content, and creator partnerships across InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and other IHG brands. She built Kimpton Hotels’ social media presence from the ground up, earning Skift’s “Best Social Presence — Hotels” in its inaugural Skiftie Awards and PRWeek’s “Best Consumer Launch” for a social-media-driven campaign. A Brand Innovators “40 Under 40” marketer, Reynolds co-produces and headlines the Summit, leading the Day 1 strategic masterclass.

Whitney Reynolds said: “Today’s social media teams are being asked to do more with social media than ever before. This Summit is about providing attendees with the strategic scaffolding to meet the demands of the job. It brings a business-results-oriented perspective to the work, alongside practical frameworks teams can use immediately to drive performance and visibility.”

Joining the faculty are Laura Ferrari and Stefano Della Schiava, co-founders of SHIFT Collective, a newly launched boutique agency specialising in brand strategy and premium content for hospitality and lifestyle brands.

Ferrari served as Director of Social Media EAME at Hyatt Hotels Corporation from 2019 to 2025, where she led campaigns including the Park Hyatt Fashion Week activation across Milan, Paris, and London, the Andaz creator-led brand campaign, and the World of Hyatt TikTok launch that turned hotel teams into credible brand ambassadors for Gen Z and Millennial travellers.

Before Hyatt, she led global social media at IWC Schaffhausen, directing content productions for major campaigns, product launches, and brand partnerships — including the IWC x Santoni collaboration.

Laura Ferrari said: “Most hospitality brands have global ambitions but local execution that doesn’t quite match. The strategy exists at headquarters, but by the time it reaches the property team in a different country, something gets lost: the nuance, the platform choice, the cultural tone. The result is content that looks consistent on a brand level but doesn’t actually speak to the audience it’s meant to reach.

“That’s the gap I want to help close in this lab. Winning Hearts Worldwide is about giving teams a practical framework to move from “we want to attract international travelers” to a focused, market-fit plan they can brief and execute.” 

Della Schiava brings a complementary creative and production lens, having built the global brand image of Nespresso (creating the Nespresso Content Studio across social, digital, e-commerce, and retail), Toyota Europe (the Beyond Zero 2.0 electrification campaign and the Drop by Drop purpose platform for the Olympic and Paralympic Games), and Mastercard.

Stefano Della Schiava said: “We’re living in a moment where everyone can make content, and AI is making that even easier. But for premium brands, ease is not the point. The point is distinctiveness, consistency and control. A content system is what allows a brand to stay culturally alive without becoming chaotic. It connects strategy, craft, production, governance and data into one living engine. Not to make more noise, but to make every expression of the brand feel intentional.” 

Together, they will lead Winning Hearts Worldwide: Social for International Travellers, a Day 2 lab on multi-market strategy, local messaging, and measurable booking paths for global guests. Their session brings operator-level, campaign-proven experience, giving delegates practical frameworks informed by work with some of the world’s leading hospitality and lifestyle brands.

Unlike traditional conference formats, HoSS is built around implementation. No other event focuses exclusively on hospitality social media at this level. The programme combines the depth of in-person executive education with an innovative digital learning layer, including AI-powered tools and resources that extend value long after the event. Across two days, delegates work through an executive-style programme that helps hospitality teams build strategy, strengthen measurement, deepen creator partnerships, and connect social activity more directly to guest trust and direct demand.

Day 1 is a Strategic Masterclass led by Whitney Reynolds which guides delegates through the foundations of a leadership-ready social strategy, including goal-to-KPI alignment, content pillars, brand personality, audience-channel mapping, modern tactics, and reporting rhythms. Every delegate leaves with a completed Strategy on a Page.

Day 2 involves eight facilitator-led, 90-minute Practical Implementation labs focused on tangible outputs. Each lab follows a framework-to-build structure: delegates work on real scenarios, benchmark against peers, and leave with toolkits, templates, and a clear action plan.

Launching alongside the Summit is a major global research initiative. Kordie is currently conducting a benchmark study, curated by Whitney Reynolds, of more than 300 hospitality social media and marketing leaders across hotels, resorts, restaurant groups, and agencies to define the state of the industry heading into 2027. The findings, covering AI adoption, commercial attribution, team structures, and resource allocation, will be previewed exclusively at the London Summit, providing delegates and media partners with first-look data on how the world’s leading brands are evolving their digital strategies. The full report is planned for distribution to 3,000+ hospitality marketers globally. 

Every delegate receives access to the HoSS Digital Hub, Kordie’s AI-powered learning platform. The Hub provides ongoing access to practical tools, templates, and expert-vetted updates, ensuring the strategies built during the Summit are successfully implemented long after the event closes.

The Summit is designed to carry internationally recognised professional accreditation. Delegates will be able to count attendance toward formal professional development requirements. Certification details will be confirmed ahead of the event.

Tickets and partnership enquiries for the London flagship are open now at hospitalitysocialsummit.com.

A second edition in Madrid will follow in Q4 2026.

A UK SEO agency that has worked without long-term contracts since 2008 claims the wider industry is now beginning to shift in the same direction, driven by rising client demand for transparency and measurable accountability.

Carrie-ann Sudlow Consultancy says the growing number of agencies promoting “no contract SEO” reflects changing expectations across the industry, with businesses becoming increasingly wary of lengthy retainers, unclear reporting and outsourced fulfilment.

The agency recently updated its Best SEO Agency page to highlight its long standing approach to flexible SEO services, transparent communication and commercially focused results.

Founder Carrie-ann Sudlow says the industry is evolving because clients now expect measurable performance and clearer communication from their marketing partners.

She said: “We have never believed clients should feel locked into a contract. If an SEO campaign is delivering properly, businesses stay because they see value in the work being done.”

The consultancy says it adopted a no contract approach from the outset in 2008, well before flexible SEO retainers became widely promoted across the industry.

According to the agency, businesses are increasingly looking for SEO providers that focus on genuine growth rather than confusing reports and vanity metrics.

Carrie-ann added: “Clients are asking tougher questions than they did years ago, and rightly so. Businesses want transparency, accountability and realistic expectations.”

The company believes ongoing Google algorithm updates and the rapid growth of AI generated content are also pushing agencies to demonstrate genuine expertise and long term strategic thinking.

Rather than focusing purely on rankings or traffic, the consultancy says successful SEO should ultimately be measured by enquiries, conversions and sustainable business growth.

Carrie-ann said: “SEO should not feel overcomplicated. Businesses want honest advice, clear communication and strategies that support long term growth.”

The agency has worked with businesses across a wide range of industries throughout the UK since 2008 and says demand for transparent SEO services continues to increase as companies become more selective about where they invest their marketing budgets.

UK landlords are facing mounting financial pressure as a wave of hidden ownership costs continues to erode profits across the private rental sector, according to property specialists LandlordBuyer, with many investors unaware of the full scale of ongoing expenses impacting yields.

While rising mortgage rates and proposed EPC regulations have dominated headlines in recent years, industry experts say many landlords are now being hit by a growing list of ongoing costs that are making rental properties increasingly expensive to maintain.

From licensing schemes and insurance premiums to maintenance inflation and compliance requirements, the true cost of owning a rental property is rising sharply, particularly for smaller landlords with one or two properties.

According to government and industry data, landlords across the UK are facing increasing financial strain due to a combination of regulatory and operational pressures.

Government estimates suggest the average cost of upgrading a rental property to meet future EPC standards could reach £5,400 per property. Selective licensing schemes in some UK councils can cost landlords up to £1,000 per property every few years.

Rising repair and maintenance inflation has significantly increased the cost of tradespeople, materials, and emergency property repairs. On top of this, higher mortgage refinancing rates and void periods are continuing to reduce rental profitability for many landlords.

Industry experts warn that these pressures are causing many landlords to reassess whether keeping rental properties remains financially sustainable long term.

Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of LandlordBuyer, said: “A lot of landlords went into property expecting stable, predictable long-term returns, but the financial reality has changed dramatically over the last few years. What we’re seeing now is a constant build-up of hidden costs that many owners simply didn’t anticipate.

“Between compliance requirements, maintenance inflation, insurance increases, licensing fees, and higher mortgage costs, the pressure is growing from every angle. For smaller landlords in particular, the margins are becoming increasingly tight.

“We’re speaking to more landlords who feel overwhelmed by the ongoing financial commitment of holding onto rental properties, especially older homes that require continuous investment.

“As a result, many are now exploring alternative options, including selling tenanted properties in a way that avoids disrupting tenants and removes the stress of ongoing ownership.”

LandlordBuyer says it has seen growing interest from landlords looking for quicker and simpler exit strategies that do not require tenants to vacate before a sale can take place.

Many landlords remain unaware that it is possible to sell a property with tenants still living in it, avoiding the delays and uncertainty often associated with traditional property sales.

Landlords interested in understanding more about how to sell a house with tenants can learn more about the process and challenges involved in selling a property with tenants in situ.

With rising costs continuing to reshape the private rental sector, property experts believe the financial pressures facing landlords are likely to remain one of the defining issues in the housing market over the coming years.

3West has taken the first formal step towards delivering a substantial new housing development in Exmouth, presenting its vision for the EXMO_20 site north of Hulham Road during a dedicated community webinar.

The proposed development forms part of East Devon District Council’s emerging Local Plan and has been identified as a potential allocation to help meet the district’s pressing housing needs. 

Earlier this week, 3West hosted an online community webinar to introduce the project and explain the planning process to local residents and stakeholders. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to hear more about the company’s early vision for the site and ask questions directly to the project team. 

The plans are at an early stage, but 3West’s ambition is to create a well-designed, landscape-led neighbourhood that responds sensitively to its surroundings and delivers much-needed new homes for Exmouth. 

David Matthews, Business and Operations Director at 3West Group, said: “East Devon desperately needs new homes. Our emerging plans for the site known as Exmo_20 will create a neighbourhood for Exmouth, shaped by landscape and community. 

“To get this right we need to work with the local community to understand how these plans can be the best they can be. Our webinar on Wednesday evening was one of the first steps. We’re introducing ourselves, explaining the process and beginning to understand what people think about our approach. 

“This is the beginning of the process. We will be engaging throughout the summer ahead of submitting a planning application later this year.” 

The webinar recording, presentation slides and plans are now available to view on the project website at EXMO_20 Community Webinar. 

Residents are encouraged to visit the website to learn more about the project and sign up for updates as the proposals evolve. 

3West expects to carry out further community engagement over the coming months, with a planning application anticipated later in 2026. 

For more information, visit www.exmo20.co.uk.

Manchester-founded proptech company BNKer has announced a new partnership with fellow property technology business Doorly as the two firms look to reshape apartment living through smarter in-building storage and resident experience solutions. The collaboration aims to address growing space pressures across the UK residential market by integrating BNKer’s self-storage offering within modern developments.

After a successful first year, bringing self storage to the doorstep of over 4500 apartments, BNKer has already begun making its mark on the UK’s residential property market. Since launching in Manchester, the proptech company has quickly connected with leading property developers across the North West – including the renowned Renaker – and beyond, bringing its onsite self-storage solution to some of the most sought-after home hotspots. Now, through a partnership with fellow Manchester-founded and rapidly expanding start-up Doorly, the two businesses are working together to reshape the way renters experience modern apartment living. 

Also founded in Manchester, Doorly has created a platform designed to simplify everyday living by connecting users with trusted local service providers. Through the app, users can browse, compare and connect with professionals offering a wide range of home services – from at-home hairdressing and beauty treatments to cleaning, babysitting, dog walking and more. By linking with BNKer, residents can now book extra space. 

Like BNKer, Doorly places the end user at the centre of its model. The platform provides a natural opportunity for BNKer to introduce its storage solution directly to people navigating the realities of modern apartment living. 

With a clear ambition to place its self-storage solution in front of the right audiences across the UK, BNKer’s partnership with Doorly marks an important step in both companies’ growth journeys. By connecting BNKer with Doorly’s growing renter audience, the collaboration creates opportunities to raise awareness of the storage solution while opening the door to new conversations with developers and property operators across the UK. 

Michael Lawes, Founder of Doorly, said: “This was a very natural partnership for us, particularly as both businesses are at similar points in our growth journeys. Doorly was created to make everyday living easier by connecting people with trusted local services, and BNKer is tackling another major challenge many people face in modern apartments – the lack of space. 

“As we continue expanding beyond the North West and into cities across the UK, it made sense to work with a company that shares a similar outlook on improving the way people live in their homes. Through this partnership, we can introduce BNKer’s solution to the people experiencing these challenges first-hand.” 

The timing of the collaboration is particularly relevant as both companies look towards further expansion in London, where the challenges of limited apartment space are felt most acutely. As rental living continues to grow across the capital’s high-density developments, demand for practical, accessible storage solutions is only increasing. 

David Fricker, Founder of BNKer, said: “Partnering with Doorly gives us the opportunity to connect directly with the people experiencing the space challenges that come with modern apartment living. 

“Doorly gives residents access to services from their phones, so now they can reserve extra space as and when they need it. 

“Our goal has always been to help buildings make better use of the space they already have. Doorly has built a platform that speaks directly to residents across the UK, so working together allows us to better understand which residents need for extra space and where, while continuing to build relationships across the wider residential property sector.” 

As both companies continue expanding their presence across the UK, the partnership reflects a shared ambition to improve the everyday realities of apartment living – connecting residents with the services and space they need while helping landlords make better use of the buildings they manage. 

SCEND, the eCommerce fulfilment and third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has been awarded B Corp Certification by B Lab, placing it among a vanishingly small group of UK logistics operators independently verified against the standard. Of the approximately 3,500 UK 3PLs in the market, only a small handful are B Corps. SCEND’s B Impact Assessment score of 93.7 sits comfortably above the 80-point threshold required for certification.

The certification covers governance, employee practices, environmental impact, and community engagement, requiring demonstrable outcomes rather than stated policies, and is subject to ongoing reassessment as businesses grow. It sits alongside SCEND’s existing ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications adding another layer of external verification to an operational framework that was already being held to account.

“There’s a version of growth that looks good on a spreadsheet and not much else,” said Jack Crumpton, Co-Founder of SCEND. 

“We didn’t set out in 2017 to become a B Corp – we just made decisions we could defend to ourselves. B Corp is the external audit of whether we actually did. The fact that fulfilment as a sector is so under-represented in the certification tells you something about how far it has to go, and we’d rather be part of changing that than waiting for it to change.”

One shift the certification process made tangible was how SCEND measures success. Revenue growth remained important, but it was no longer the only metric that mattered. Client satisfaction, employee wellbeing, and supplier due diligence became equally central – alongside the development of shared values that could be embedded across the business and felt at every level of it.

SCEND worked with B Corp specialists The Pollinators throughout the certification process. “Logistics has such an important role to play in shaping more responsible supply chains, and SCEND’s curiosity about the certification translated into practical changes with real impact across the business. Their commitment to doing business with greater transparency, accountability and care really aligned with our own values,” said a representative from the firm.

The sector isn’t typically associated with this kind of accountability. For SCEND, the certification reflects a longer-term commitment to how the business is run, not simply a milestone to mark. What began as a regional operation has grown into a business with international reach, and the same principles that shaped it then are now being held to an internationally recognised standard.

 B Corp Certification represents a point of accountability for what comes next: growth that holds itself to something.

London Harts United FC have completed a remarkable unbeaten campaign in the Essex Alliance Senior League, lifting the title and earning promotion to Step 6 football after a flawless season without defeat.

The club played thirty games, winning 24 and drawing six. The team scored 112 goals across the campaign and kept 10 clean sheets. They are one of only four teams down to Step 7 to go through the entire 2025/26 season unbeaten.

The title win earns the club a place in the Thurlow Nunn League next season, stepping up to Step 6 of the English football pyramid. It is the biggest moment in London Harts United’s 3-year history and the start of a new chapter for everyone at the club. 

A club representative said: “This is a huge moment for us as a team and as a community. With over 7,000 clubs competing across the English football pyramid, staying unbeaten from August through to May is something very few sides ever manage at any level. 

“To go a full season unbeaten takes discipline, unity, and belief. The players have shown incredible commitment from the first match to the last.

“The club’s achievement this season shows exactly what grassroots football is capable of, bringing people together and giving the next generation something to aim for.”

London Harts United draws support from families and supporters across London and Essex. With promotion secured and the league title under their belt, the Harts head into next season as a club to watch out for.