Over 30 refuse collection vehicles, and 20 support vehicles have arrived at North Weald Airfield, where they started Epping Forest District Council’s new waste and recycling collection service on 4 November 2024.
Earlier this year, Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) announced plans to create its own wholly owned Teckal company, Terra Verde Services, to deliver the waste and recycling service rather than go back out to contract once the existing contract with Biffa has ended.
In May this year, Epping Forest District Council awarded SFS an eight-year contract to supply and maintain a new waste and recycling fleet. To ensure a smooth transition, the new vehicles arrived at the depot throughout October before the start date.
Crews have been attending special induction days run by TVS at the new environmental operations hub at North Weald Airfield, where the team has familiarised itself with the new vehicles, safety technology and bin lifting equipment, as well as undertaking banksman training.
Dave Ward, Interim Managing Director at Terra Verde Services, says: ‘TVS is looking forward to commencing the delivery of waste, recycling and street services for Epping Forest District Council and its residents. TVS is excited to be working with the vehicle fleet supplied by SFS. The quality of the fleet, sourced from Dennis Eagle, Scarab and Hako, meets the highest standards demanded by operators across the waste and resources industry.’
More than 100 existing staff members have been TUPE transferred to TVS to continue operating the vehicles. SFS has also recruited additional staff to manage and maintain the new fleet. No rubbish or waste will be brought to or stored on the airfield. The depot will provide storage, maintenance, and fuel for the new fleet vehicles, which can run on either diesel or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
The new 52-vehicle fleet comprises 30 26-tonne refuse trucks provided by Dennis Eagle, plus additional support vehicles, including sweepers, tippers, and vans. SFS will be responsible for the maintenance of the fleet, which will take place at the council’s new environmental operations hub at North Weald Airfield.
Councillor Ray Balcombe, Contracts Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council, welcomes SFS and its fleet of Dennis Eagle vehicles to Epping Forest. He says: ‘There is nothing more critical among the services Epping Forest District Council provides our residents than refuse and recycling.
‘Our people are crucial to our new waste and recycling service. But support is critical to success, and we also need the best tools for the job. That is why I am so pleased to welcome SFS as a key partner with TVS in delivering and maintaining our brand-new fleet. Together with Dennis Eagle, we are confident we are providing the tools our people need and the service our residents demand.
Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS, says: ‘We are delighted to have had the entire fleet in place well before the contract start date. All staff members are fully inducted, any TUPE transfers have been completed as required, and the workshop is fully equipped and ready to go. This will help ensure the new waste and recycling collection service has a smooth rollout.
‘We look forward to maintaining the fleet to a high standard and delivering an efficient fleet operation to Epping Forest District Council and TVS.’
Dennis Eagle Sales and Marketing Director Richard Taylor says: ‘It has been a pleasure to collaborate with SFS once more as they embark on their new contract with EFDC, providing this new fleet of Dennis Eagle vehicles. This partnership further enhances our long-standing relationship with SFS, which began in the early 1990s. Our dedicated training team has been on hand to support this seamless delivery, facilitating our comprehensive and robust train-the-trainer courses to allow the teams to gain confidence in their new fleet and to enable them to get the job done once they are mobilised.’
SFS celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2023 and has an extensive track record of delivering fleet and workshop management solutions to local authorities across the UK. The company operates a nationwide network of workshops, and its own specialist vehicle hire division, CTS Hire, provides short-to-medium-term municipal vehicles.
