EWC is awarded with prestigious Europe's 500, three year's running, for recognition for outstanding growth performance and contribution to employment. Click here to see the certificates

To be ranked on the Europe's 500 list, companies must be based either in one of the 15 core European Union member states or in Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland. An entrepreneur must own a minimum equity stake in the company, but no single shareholder can own a stake of more than 50%. Companies must also have been founded before 2001, have at least 50 employees in the year 2003 and a maximum of 5,000 in the year 2000, and show profits at least once during a three-year reference period.

BusinessWeek and Europe's Entrepreneurs for Growth, a Brussels-based organization that represents more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, have teamed up to create a listing of Europe's high-growth, job-creating companies.

North Yorkshire County Council has granted a new £2.1m contract to Environmental Waste Controls PLC (EWC) to run 16 of thier household waste recycling centres.

Clare Wood, the county council's executive member for waste management said thier had been a major increase in the level of recycling in North Yorkshire in recent years but further improvements were planned.

"During the past seven years the amount of household waste that's been brought to the sites and recycled has gone up from 7 percent to 35 percent" said Coun Wood.

"Although the new contract sets a target of 50 percent EWC has achieved recycling rates of 60 percent in other areas of the contry. We're aiming to quickly reach that level in North Yorkshire." Under the new contract, the council wants to make sites easier for residents to use and recycling assistants will be on hand to offer help and advice.

EWC won the contract under tender and the change in contractor coincides with changes in the way the sites operate. Instead of using open skips, compactor units will be used at all sites to speed up servicing operations.

This chage aims to cut waiting times, increase the number of materials that can be recycled and reduce the number and length of temporary closures.

Security cameras and automated number-plate recognition technology will be used at each site to deter use of the sites by commercial waste producers.

Hilton UK & Ireland has turned to EWC to manage its waste management and recycling programme for the next five years.

CHESHIRE, UK (22 March 2005) – Hilton UK & Ireland is working to enhance its waste management and recycling programme across all of its UK and Irish hotels, through a new £7 million, long term agreement with specialist provider Environmental Waste Controls (EWC).

The decision to award the contract to EWC comes at a time of increasing focus on the recycling and waste management procedures operated by large corporations, and was made in line with Hilton’s award-winning Environmental Sustainability Policy.

With landfill tax increasing to £18 per tonne from April 2005 (up from £15 in 2004), and £3 per year increases set for the next five years, the EWC solution is designed to increase the recycling levels of Hilton UK & Ireland hotels, while reducing waste and directing waste from landfill.

EWC has over 10 years experience in efficient and responsible waste management offering a complete end-to-end solution, from segregation, recycling, and the provision of highly efficient compaction systems through to end delivery.

Specifically tailored to the requirements of Hilton in the UK & Ireland, the EWC solution was chosen for it’s innovative approach and comprehensive programme, creating a single point of management for all waste and recycling activities across the Group. Through a single monthly payment, Hilton ensures compliance with all hygiene and health & safety legislation, and on-going management of an economically and environmentally responsible waste and recycling programme, while enabling Hilton to budget effectively for the future.

“Hilton UK & Ireland is serious about the environment and through our award-winning Environmental Sustainability Training Programme - which included the single largest training of staff in environmental issues in the UK - and partnerships with environmentally sound organisations such as EWC Ltd., we expect to meet our target of reducing utility consumption across the region by 10% by the end of 2006." said Wolfgang M. Neumann, Area President, Hilton UK & Ireland. “We are implementing a long term change of culture, not just a policy, and our partnership with EWC will help us reach our target.”

Full implementation of the EWC solution will be completed in May 2005, providing Hilton UK & Ireland with -

• Recycling – EWC has introduced and enhanced comprehensive recycling facilities across Hilton’s UK and Irish hotels, all designed to operate in line with Hilton’s environmental programme. This has been supported with a detailed training programme, to help ensure personnel are fully skilled to maximise the levels of recycling.
  
  
• Reducing - EWC only operates with highly efficient, quality sealed compactors sourced from Northern Europe, resulting in reduced volumes of waste, leak proof waste management, reduced transport costs for the waste and reduced vehicle emissions.
  
  
• Communication – Hilton hotels now has a single point of contact at EWC for its complete waste management service. This allows a fast, efficient, co-ordinated response.
  
  
• Management – EWC offers Hilton web based monitoring of its waste and recycling programme, providing on-going contract management, continuous improvement and expert advice on all aspects of recycling and waste management.

Bill Edwards, Managing Director of EWC, said:

“The Hilton solution was designed to maximise the recycling opportunities, while minimising waste and managing costs across the group. By providing a programme specifically tailored to the needs of Hilton, combined with high quality machinery and a comprehensive waste management programme, EWC is making it easier and more efficient for Hilton to achieve their environmental targets.”