Foott reaches milestone in sustainable waste management
By Deanne Jeffers
LOCAL waste management company Foott has celebrated a major milestone, having processed 20M containers since November 2023 under the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). CEO Andrew Yeoland proudly announced this achievement, noting that the figure was reached in just under nine months.
“20 million containers that could have ended up anywhere, but now they’ve ended up exactly where we want them to go,” he said, emphasising Foott’s role in keeping the community clean and green.
“It’s interesting. We were expecting it to quiet down quite a bit more. But what we found, which is really positive, is the incoming containers have sustained themselves even in the non-summer or non-holiday months as well, which means people are generally collecting all the time now and bringing them in and we’re seeing more and more new faces coming into the depot as well.”
Foott’s success goes beyond sheer numbers; it lies in its innovative approach to waste management. In July the company processed over 2.25M containers, thanks in part to their investment in high-speed sorting machines, which ensure rapid and accurate processing for customers. Further, the recent trial of an electric truck in Shepparton earlier this year yielded positive results, with Andrew noting, “The battery life was a lot better than we expected,” signalling a promising future for sustainable transport in the waste industry. Andrew said, “We can definitely see the potential and future for electric trucks within the waste and recycling industry.”
“Just because we’re a regional player doesn’t mean we can’t be at the forefront of innovative and cutting-edge technology. We’ve got every right to be at the forefront of it as anyone else does.”
Beyond technology, Foott’s commitment to excellence is evident in its community engagement and growth. The company employs nearly 90 people, with plans to expand further by the end of the year, due to its kerbside collection contracts, which began in Benalla on July 1 and will commence in Shepparton early 2025, as well as the popularity of the CDS.
“Our employment growth has come out of the Container Deposit Scheme and these upcoming kerbside contracts. It’s nice to be in a position where you’re not only investing in the region, but you’re also bringing on new people.”
“So, whether it be through the business sector or whether it be through community groups or sponsorships, we try to be as strongly involved as we can and really help the community as much as we can. We all live here, and we want to make sure that we’re contributing equally, in terms of contributing to the community as well,” Andrew said.
