In 1993, the company gained the first of ten major regional PPP (Public Private Partnerships) or PFI (Private Finance Initiative) waste contracts from Birmingham City Council, which included building and operating a new Energy Recovery Facility (ERF).
This was followed two years later by the awarding of the landmark 28-year Hampshire waste management contract as part of Project Integra, now a byword for excellence in landfill diversion. Our partners are Hampshire County Council, 11 district/borough authorities and the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton.
In 1997, we made the first of a number of major acquisitions in the form of Leigh Interests, later to form our commercial and industrial waste management arm. The launch of our packaging regulations compliance scheme and our own independently run Environmental Charity followed a year later. Since that date we have donated £5 million to worthwhile causes up and down the country.
A major development in 1999 was the opening of the UK College of Environment and Transport, forerunner of Campus Veolia UK. The Campus is an award-winning facility which offers a centre of training excellence for our entire workforce.