Terra Verde Services Ltd (TVS) marked its first year with the opening of its bespoke operations hub at North Weald Airfield.
TVS, the council’s wholly-owned refuse collection and street-cleaning service, was launched in November 2024.
The bespoke operations hub, built by Barnes Construction, has a dedicated maintenance hangar, incorporates modern office space and welfare facilities for staff and is designed to accommodate future growth.
Sustainability was designed in with solar panels generating renewable energy on the roof, EV charging, cycle and motorcycle parking. Even the canteen chairs are 50% recycled plastic.
More than 30 new refuse freighters, street sweepers and other vehicles make up TVS Ltd fleet in their distinctive green and black branding.
Since its launch in November 2024, the council says TVS has transferred 140 staff members from the previous refuse contractor, got all services fully operational without any disruptions, reduced complaints significantly and increased compliments.
Missed collection calls have fallen from a monthly average of 530 to 300.
Council chairman Cllr Louise Mead said: “A decision by Epping Forest District Council’s Cabinet in July last year that the future delivery of waste collection services should be delivered through a wholly-owned council company. This marked a significant milestone and change from an outsourced waste and street cleansing contract.
“The collections teams work through storms, snow, and sunshine to collect waste and recycling from homes in the district – a service we know is extremely important to our residents. Fantastic people doing a fantastic job.
“It is a great asset for the council to have its own waste company and to be based at such a fantastic facility, which will be vital in helping to continue to deliver an excellent waste service.”
