Recycling Insurance

Recycling at Christmas

18/12/2011 in Recycling Insurance

Macbeth specialise in insurance for recycling companies. Here however are few interesting facts about recycling at Christmas.

One billion Christmas cards ended up in waste bins in the UK this year. One tree is needed to make three thousand cards.

We used 500 million more aluminium can drinks over Christmas.

Over 3 thousand tonnes of aluminium foil was used to wrap food in.

An extra 750 million glass bottles and jars were used over Christmas and New Year.

We use approximately 83km2 of wrapping paper.

8 billion Christmas trees were used last year and most of them were thrown away.

The amount of plastic that was thrown away in the UK last year was equivalent to 50,000 polar bears.

An incredible 9,000 tonnes of extra rubbish is created every year from Christmas trees, that’s almost five times the weight of the London Eye.

Happy Christmas from all at Macbeth’s

Insurance for the plastic extrusion & plastic injection moulding sector

26/11/2011 in Business, Business Combined, Recycling Insurance

Traditionally underwriters have considered this sector high risk and consequently the premiums charged have reflected this.

Good risk management is a major factor in obtaining the most competitive insurance deal and we have had particular success by arranging pre-cover surveys. A survey by the insurers prior to the inception of cover can identify areas of concern and address these at the earliest opportunity.

Insurers are increasing looking to build long terms relationships with their clients and in some cases are offering discounts for longer term policies and low claim rebates.

For more information about plastic extrusion & plastic injection moulding insurance, please contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or complete one of our enquiry forms.

Shredding move poses insurance problem for Tyre Recycling Services

17/07/2011 in Case Study, Recycling Insurance

Every business needs to keep pace with changes in its market place to ensure its offer continues to meet demand and generate profits. So when Tyre Recycling Services in Fareham decided to switch from tyre baling and move into tyre shredding, it was made strictly on business grounds.

“What we didn’t anticipate was the huge hike in our annual buildings insurance premium this decision would cause,” explained Tyre Recycling’s Sam Bedford. “Quotes came in at around £20,000, three times what we were originally paying, plus there was a potential requirement of an additional £10,000 for fire alarm and sprinkler systems.

“The alternative would be the expense and upheaval of moving premises altogether.”

The proposed increase was due to evidence that large stockpiles of tyre shreds (more than three metres deep) can be prone to spontaneous combustion. Rather than the knee-jerk reaction of their landlord’s insurers who had previously arranged cover for the building, Tyre Recycing required a better informed and more considered approach that would protect the business from this risk – and at an affordable cost.

Macbeth Chartered Insurance Brokers already handled much of Tyre Recycling’s insurance business with liability and contents cover. “They’ve always proved very approachable with a problem-solving attitude,” added Sam, “so we naturally turned to them for help.

“They took the time to understand the issue we faced, and its potential for our company, and applied their experience in finding us a manageable alternative. They worked quickly, too, which was vital in avoiding any interruption to our business.”

The Macbeth solution

• Delivered specialist insurance advice tailored to the needs of the recycling industry
• Drew on an active network of insurers prepared to look at difficult or unusual risk to source quotes
• Throughout provided a pro-active, problem-solving approach to a business-threatening issue.

Client verdict

“Macbeth’s intervention was crucial to us being able to continue as a profitable business,” Sam added. “We had to swallow a premium increase but, more importantly, we avoided having to make any major alterations to the premises.

“This meant we were able to stay put without incurring any additional outlay on our building.”

Further bad new for insurers that specialise in the waste/recycling sector

14/06/2011 in Recycling Insurance

The recent massive fire at the Eco-Oil Ltd facility on the Kingsnorth Industrial Estate at Hoo in Kent, highlights how risky the waste and recycling industry is. With other high profile incidents such as the recent scrapyard fire at Brent Cross that close the M1, it is no wonder that insurance rates for recycling and waste risks continue to rise.

Many insurance brokers will shy away from recycling insurance risks as they do not have the experience, knowledge or access to the right insurance markets. Macbeth are experts in the recycling/waste risk industry, including cover for a tyre recycling company working from a  building constructed of wood!!!

For impartial advice regarding waste and recycling insurance, contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or complete one of our enquiry forms.

Skip Hire Insurance – How liability premiums are calculated

17/05/2011 in Recycling Insurance

When it comes to insuring the Public & Employers Liability risk for skip hire operators,  there are a number of ways that insurers calculate the premium.

For businesses with one or two skip lorries the most competitive way of rating is based on the number of vehicles. We typically see quotes in the region of £700 per vehicle based on £5,000,000 public liability and £10,000,000 employer’s liability.

For risks where there are 5 or more vehicles, we generally recommend policies that are calculated on a wage-roll and turnover basis.

Macbeth have access to a specific insurance scheme dedicated to the skip hire and waste industry, which caters for skip lorries in addition to the liability risks.

For further information please contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or complete an enquiry form.

Various questions should be continually asked about wastes

16/02/2011 in Recycling Insurance

1. Are containers lidded where required?

2. Are containers carefully stacked to avoid the danger of overbalancing during transport?

3. Is the driver (of the forklift truck, waste collection vehicle, etc.) aware of the hazards of the material being transported?

• Wastes awaiting disposal should be stored in a secure designated area which minimises potential harm to the environment, employees, disposal contractors and property, and which is properly supervised and regularly inspected.

• It is preferable that hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are stored separately. Safe access and egress must be provided both for the placing of wastes into storage and for the removal of wastes by transport and disposal contractors.

• All stored containers must be accessible so that they can be checked for leaks and deterioration in the fabric of the container. This checking is easier if the wastes are stored in rows or bays within a building or compound and not scattered in many locations around the site.

• All storage areas should be covered with a hard-standing material, resistant to corrosion and suitably impervious, to prevent percolation of waste or contaminated rainwater into the ground and potential contamination of groundwater in the event of a spillage.

• If hazardous liquid wastes are stored, the area should be bunded (i.e. surrounded by a well-constructed bank) to prevent run-off in the event of a spillage

• If flammable wastes are stored, then a no-smoking policy must be enforced.

For further information about insurance and risk management for waste & recycling companies please contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944

Tyre Fires

18/10/2010 in Insurance Industry News, Recycling Insurance

A recent spate of fires in factories recycling tyres and rubber is making insurers even more wary when it comes to providing material damage insurance. Always considered a high fire risk the market for insurance is contracting even further.

From a liability point of view, thing are also not looking good to with environmental concerns especially relating to water runoff pollution claims, following fire brigade attendance.

Macbeth still have markets willing to quote for tyre and rubber recycling risk. For further information contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or email tony.gibbs@macbeths.co.uk

Sam Bedford – Tyre Recycling Services Limited

08/10/2010 in Recycling Insurance, Testimonial

“Macbeths offer a very professional and efficient service.  Trying to find insurance in our industry is extremely difficult, but with the knowledge and training of their staff they have always been our first priority when looking for insurance.

Macbeth’s are always friendly and offer the most competitive rates within our industry.”

Sam Bedford – Tyre Recycling Services Limited