Sustainability and Recycling at Storage Shirley
Storage Shirley is committed to being more than a secure place for your belongings. We are focused on eco-friendly waste disposal and sustainable rubbish removal that supports the local community and environment. From how we separate waste, to the low-carbon vehicles we run, to the charities we work with, every part of our operation is designed to reduce our environmental impact.
Our Recycling Percentage Target
We have set a clear recycling percentage target to ensure we continually improve. Storage Shirley is working towards diverting at least 80 percent of all waste generated on site away from landfill, through a combination of recycling, re-use, and responsible treatment at licensed facilities. This target covers everyday operational waste, waste arising from customers clearing out units, and materials from our fit-outs and refurbishments.
To reach this goal, we track the volumes of materials leaving site, separate recyclable streams wherever practically possible, and regularly review our processes with our waste partners. Our team receives guidance on sustainable rubbish removal practices so that cardboard, paper, plastics, metals, wood, and electrical items are directed into appropriate recycling streams rather than general waste.
Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal Area on Site
Within Storage Shirley, we provide a clearly signed eco-friendly waste disposal area to help customers manage unwanted items responsibly. This area is designed to make it simple to separate different materials, supporting the local borough approach to waste separation, where dry mixed recyclables are kept distinct from residual waste.
Customers will find containers for cardboard and paper, mixed plastics and cans, and small quantities of scrap metal, as well as guidance on how to handle bulky or specialist items such as furniture, electrical goods and appliances. By making it convenient to sort waste, we increase the proportion that can be recycled or refurbished, helping us move closer to our recycling target and reducing the carbon footprint associated with disposal.
Sustainable Rubbish Removal Area and Services
For larger clear-outs, we operate a designated sustainable rubbish removal area that supports our low-impact approach to waste. When customers arrange disposal services through Storage Shirley, materials are transported using our low-carbon vans and taken to appropriate facilities rather than directly to landfill. We work with licensed partners that prioritise sorting and recycling, reflecting common borough policies that favour reuse and resource recovery.
Our team encourages customers to separate re-usable items from genuine waste. Items such as furniture, household goods, books and certain electricals are assessed for potential donation or refurbishment before any decision is made to treat them as waste. This hierarchy of re-use, recycling, and final disposal is central to our approach.
Partnerships with Local Transfer Stations
Storage Shirley works closely with nearby authorised waste transfer stations to ensure that all waste leaving our premises is handled responsibly. These facilities are equipped to sort mixed waste into separate streams such as metals, cardboard, plastics, wood and inert materials, maximising the amount that can be recycled or recovered.
By collaborating with local transfer stations, we reduce transport distances and associated emissions while benefiting from their specialist sorting equipment and knowledge of regional recycling infrastructure. This partnership also helps us stay aligned with local borough strategies on recycling and waste management, including preferred treatment routes for different material types.
Working with Charities and Reuse Partners
Re-use is often the most sustainable outcome, which is why we actively seek opportunities to pass on items that are still in good condition. Storage Shirley has partnerships with local charities and social enterprises that can accept suitable donations from customers, such as furniture, clothing, books, kitchenware and certain small electrical items.
When customers are clearing a unit, our team can provide information about which kinds of items are typically accepted for donation and help identify materials that should be prioritised for re-use. By directing re-usable goods to charities, we support community projects, reduce the demand for new products, and cut the volume of waste entering the disposal system.
Low-Carbon Vans and Transport
Transport is a significant contributor to emissions in the storage and waste sectors, so Storage Shirley has invested in low-carbon vans for collections and rubbish removal services. Our fleet combines highly efficient engines with routing that minimises unnecessary journeys, and we are progressively incorporating lower-emission technologies where feasible.
Using low-carbon vans for both customer moves and waste transfer supports our wider climate goals and aligns with efforts in the Shirley area and surrounding boroughs to cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside careful scheduling of collections and deliveries, this helps reduce traffic impact in local streets while still providing a responsive and reliable service.
Local Waste Separation and Customer Guidance
Local authorities around Shirley increasingly encourage residents and businesses to separate recyclables such as paper, card, glass, metals and plastics from general waste. Storage Shirley mirrors this approach inside our facility, providing clear signage and straightforward guidance so visitors can follow similar separation habits when using our eco-friendly waste disposal area.
We supply simple instructions on how to flatten cardboard boxes, remove non-recyclable packaging, and group items by material type. For items that cannot be processed through standard borough collections, such as certain electrical equipment or bulky furniture, we help direct customers towards specialist routes or our managed sustainable rubbish removal services.
Continuous Improvement and Community Responsibility
Sustainability is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time project. Storage Shirley regularly reviews recycling performance, transport emissions, and feedback from customers and partners to identify where we can do more. This could involve refining our waste signage, adding new recycling streams as infrastructure improves, or upgrading to even cleaner vehicles over time.
By combining an eco-friendly waste disposal area, a carefully managed sustainable rubbish removal area, strong relationships with local transfer stations, and active partnerships with charities, Storage Shirley aims to offer a storage solution that fits with modern expectations for environmental responsibility. When you choose our facility, you are supporting a local business that takes recycling, re-use and low-carbon operations seriously.
