Biffa Waste Services first came into existence in 1912 when the company was called Richard Biffa Ltd. Richard Biffa Junior joined the business in the late 1950s, and then in the 1960s introduced the use of skip loader vehicles into the business, for the collection of commercial and industrial waste. The business grew from there, and in 1971 Biffa was acquired by British Electric Traction (BET) and became known as Biffa Waste Services. Biffa became a national waste management company, springing from roots in High Wycombe and London, to having dry and liquid waste service centres spread across the UK.
Biffa Waste Services retained its’ Head Office at High Wycombe, as well as a dry and liquid waste service centre at High Wycombe. Biffa then successfully developed a national network of controlled landfill sites, waste transfer stations and hazardous waste treatment facilities. Richard Biffa Junior was also one of the founding members of the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors (NAWDC), when the organisation was set up in the late 1960s. This was formed to maintain high quality standards in the waste industry, and to comply with pieces of legislation such as the Control of Poisonous Substances Act 1972 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Some of the waste management companies which Biffa Waste Services acquired over the late 1970s to the 2000s were also members of NAWDC.
A Pictorial History of Biffa Waste Services Dry and Liquid Waste Collection Vehiclesby Timothy Byrnecovers the development of Biffa’s fleet of dry and liquid waste collection vehicles from the late 1970s to the 2000s. It contains the key acquisitions made by Biffa of UK waste management companies. It also includes American type waste handling equipment operated by the business during this period, e.g., Dempster, Garwood, Heil and McNeilus. The ownership of Biffa by British Electric Traction (BET), the development of Biffa’s Belgian subsidiary and later on the acquisition of Biffa by Severn Trent Water plc., are also covered. It shows how Biffa became the UK’s leading waste management company, providing sustainable waste management solutions for both its commercial and public sector clients.
Byrne felt it was important to write a book covering Biffa’s developments during this period, to respect the people involved in Biffa Waste Services through this era of the company’s development. He also felt it was important to map the developments Biffa made over this era, for both the present and future generations of waste managers to refer to as a point of reference.
Overall the book reviews some of the most interesting eras in the development of the UK private sector waste management industry, in terms of vehicle and equipment innovation. A Pictorial History of Biffa Waste Services Dry and Liquid Waste Collection Vehicles by Timothy Byrne, is available from Quality Print Plus.
To place orders for copies of the book and to ask for the associated postage and packaging costs for dispatching copies of the book to the United States, contact Mr. Tom Kiely at [email protected]or [email protected]. It is also available on E-Bay at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-Pictorial-History-of-BIFFA-Waste-Services-Dry-and-Liquid-Waste-Collection-Vehi/154324709175?hash=item23ee782f37:g:3qoAAOSwvBRgFqU6
Timothy Byrnehas been interested in waste transportation vehicles ever since he was four years old. He remembers all the national and regional waste management companies which existed from the late 70s to the year 2000. At his home he has an extensive collection of photographs and slides, illustrating dry and liquid waste collection vehicles, operated by companies including Biffa. Byrne has a degree in Wastes Management from the University of Northampton, is a Chartered Waste Manager (MCIWM) through the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, and is International Waste Manager certified by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). He has worked in a variety of roles in the industry for many years, and currently works as an International Waste Management consultant.