Anglo Recycling traded through the whole pandemic. 

Our big Lancashire mill (almost 150,000ft2) meant that staff could socially distance and we could meet government guidelines.  The staff who worked through the pandemic were all volunteers – this was very important to us.

The company is a poster boy for the furlough scheme with 75% of staff on furlough in April and all staff back at work in August.  There have been no compulsory redundancies.

The company is proud to have satisfied every customer order during the period – even if the boss was occasionally seen on a machine (nothing too technical for him though).

In addition, the company took the chance to refurbish some surplus space in part of their 1851 mill for a local entrepreneur who has started a very successful gym in the Anglo mill.  This meant that the gym could open and offer a full programme of classes and equipment (including a barbers’ shop) when government restrictions were lifted in July.

As orders were few and far between in the early days, we took the chance to refurbish the recycling line we had installed in 2010 and that had run non-stop.  We have always been able to process and recycle back into fibre, carpet edges and clothing – but we wanted to extend our capability and offer greater efficiency as customers are bringing more different waste streams to us.  We think this extended capability will be a great strength to the business going forward.

During the darkest days of lockdown, Anglo was approached by a number of individuals wanting to help out by sewing masks for their local hospital or community.  The harbour master on the Isle of Mull made masks for the whole island community and the local hospital.    We, with local Lancashire companies Nonwoven and Lydall, who manufacture the materials required and we supplied in cut lengths or cut parts as required to help get this material to the individuals who wanted to help out.  It was a great example of Lancashire manufacturers helping the community at a time of great need.”