United Utilities has established a new environmental team to ensure the company is following environmental guidelines. The nine-strong team - the first of its kind set up by a utility – has been set up to ensure the company is complying with new environmental legislation and looking at more sustainable ways of managing waste.

At Ellesmere Port Wastewater Treatment Works the team has already established an on-site recycling facility. The new team will work across the United Utilities area to check that it is working within the rules and regulations laid down by the Environment Agency and provide support and guidance.

Rick Mills, head of the Environmental Compliance team, said:

“At Ellesmere Port we have implemented recycling bins, which means we now segregate our waste and it can be taken away for recycling rather than going to landfill. We are now recycling cardboard, wood, metal, plastic, newspapers, fluorescent tubes and oil.