O'Donovan Waste Disposal has made the bold move to switch its entire fleet to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This is a huge step for the multi-award winning business that operates with a fleet of 100 HGVs, serving the construction and demolition sectors throughout London and the Home Counties.

HVO is a sustainable and 100% renewable fuel that eliminates up to 90% of net carbon dioxide emissions. The green alternative fuel reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 30%, particulate matter (PM) by up to 86% and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by up to 90%.

Having been named as the Institute of Directors (IoD) Director of the Year in the family business category at the annual awards event in 2021, Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, has at last been sent her actual award.

Due to the pandemic, the awards ceremony did not take place in person and due to diary scheduling, it is only now that Jacqueline finally has her prestigious award in her hands. This particular award recognises individuals in family businesses who have responded to the varying commercial climate and who have contributed to the success of the diverse, dynamic and innovative family business sector.

A new case study from Interpave explores recent urban realm regeneration projects in Tottenham, London exemplifying the synergy of concrete block permeable paving and street trees to address climate change while delivering SuDS. It demonstrates important new techniques applicable to all urban areas.  

The regeneration of White Hart Lane in north Tottenham, by muf architecture/art, was a pilot designed using ‘Healthy Streets’ principles. But it also applies innovative sustainable drainage (SuDS) techniques introduced by design collaborators Robert Bray Associates. This approach reduces flooding and pollution through the integration of bioretention raingardens to collect and treat polluted road runoff. 

SCB Group is supporting Hype Motorsport, the UK’s first green track day experience company to offset their carbon emissions and attain the ‘ClimatePositive’ status. Hype Mostorsport is the first in the UK to offer businesses and motorsport enthusiasts the opportunity to have a positive impact on the environment, whilst racing sports cars around top UK and European circuits. In addition, all customers become ClimatePositive road car badge holders for 12 months.

Hype Motorsport cofounders Ben Hyland and Mike Jarvis have invested more than £300,000 in the business which is now designated as ‘ClimatePositive’ thanks to carbon offsetting through SCB, to redress and improve on the carbon footprint left by businesses and individuals.

Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, has received the lifetime achievement award from the Worshipful Company of Carmen. This esteemed award was founded in 2011 to recognise and honour the outstanding service, dedication, diligence and leadership given to the transport industry in the UK by exceptional individuals over an extended period of two decades or more.

The Worshipful Company of Carmen is one of the 110 livery companies in the City of London and it dates back to 1517. Steeped in tradition, the Company represents a wide range of aspects within the transport and logistics encouraging achievement and the advancement of knowledge in the transport and logistics profession through awards, lectures and social activities. It’s benevolence and historic fellowship are renowned and respected and it continues to adapt and evolve to meet the challenges of today’s transport and logistics industry which contributes £127 billion to UK economy.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, has welcomed the launch of a new training course that will overhaul the route to becoming a heat pump installer in the UK.

The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, published in November 2020, outlined a target to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 as part of ambitions to create green jobs whilst making strides towards net zero by 2050.

The new training course, launched by the Heat Pump Association, aims to equip the heating industry with the additional skills needed to deliver on this target and deliver low carbon heat to hundreds of thousands of British homes.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

“The Government is absolutely committed to working with industry to drive down the costs of heat pumps over time so they are increasingly affordable for consumers.

“While heat pumps are fast becoming a natural option for households, we need to ensure we have enough skilled tradespeople to hit our target of 600,000 installations each year by 2028 – so the Heat Pump Association setting up this training scheme is absolutely critical in this endeavour.

“Today’s news is a great example of how government and industry can work together to accelerate progress and create the high-skilled jobs needed to make homes greener and more energy efficient.”

The new course will be available for bookings across 38 training centres spread across the UK, with the ability to train over 40,000 installers each year across the HPA membership alone at maximum capacity.

Phil Hurley, Chair of the Heat Pump Association, said:

“Today’s launch is a landmark achievement and the HPA is proud to have worked hard with others across industry to bring this new heat pump training pathway to life.

When we laid out our vision to government last year, we recognised our role in delivering training and skills, and we have successfully achieved this whilst working in constructive partnership with the Secretary of State and his team.

“The heat pump industry is now fully equipped to lead the way in transforming the way homes are heated to reduce carbon and lower energy bills.

“Importantly, we are also supporting plans to build back better through upskilling existing heating installers so that they are equipped with the tools and skills they need to allow consumers to access heat pumps as a solution to decarbonise their homes.”

Further details on how heating industry professions can find and book a course can be found below.

HPA Course Bookings

Courses are being offered by HPA Executive Members and must be booked directly with the course provider via the links below.

Grant UK | www.grantuk.com/professional/training

NIBE Energy Systems |  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  | Register Your NIBE Pro Interest – NIBE

Panasonic |  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Samsung Electronics |  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Worcester BOSCH | www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/professional/training

Courses will also be made available through other executive members of the HPA, which include:

BAXI Heating | Daikin | Vaillant

For further information visit www.heatpumps.org.uk

Jacqueline O'Donovan, managing director of O'Donovan Waste Disposal, was named in the Growing Business Top 20 UK SME Leaders. Already known as a trailblazer within business and having previously been named as a ‘mover and shaker’ in her sector, Jacqueline heads up O'Donovan Waste, an award-winning business employing 185 staff and specialising in recycling construction and demolition waste. She was selected for her innovative leadership and resilience shown over the course of the pandemic, encouraging and inspiring both sector and business peers whilst collaborating on strategy and decision-making within her industry and beyond.

A global specialist in protective security, surveillance, intelligence, cyber security, due diligence, training and dog handling, has further strengthened its portfolio of services in collaboration with UNTHA UK.

The business has bolstered the capabilities of its secure destruction division with the investment in a confidential waste shredder, certified to DIN-66399 standards.