A SILSDEN firm is taking skip hire and waste management into the technological age.

Traditionally, much of the industry's business has been done over the phone.

But Silsden and Wilmot Skips is helping to change that, with the launch of a new website and online booking system.

The initiative has been introduced by the ownership team of Dale Spencer, Rob Leighton and James Plumb, who bought the business last year.

The trio also owns Keighley firm RDJ Keiton Developments and is behind the current renovation of the town's former Victoria Hotel building.

Rob said: "Buying a skip company just made total sense to us, as our construction business has grown hugely and a big overhead was waste removal. However, we also recognised a great business opportunity and our involvement in the industry meant we immediately had lots of ideas for growing the firm.

"We believe the new website offers a more efficient and convenient option when it comes to skip hire.

"Booking a skip online provides many benefits to customers. With a quick and easy transaction system, you can book 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we have also added useful information to help the customer – such as a visual guide to give them a better idea of what size of skip they require."

But Rob says the option remains for anyone who wishes to speak to a team member and make a booking over the phone to do so, any weekday between 8am and 4pm.

The firm also has its own yard for storing and sorting waste, which benefits recycling – something the team is keen to develop further.

Rob adds: "By sorting waste at our yard, we have loads of specific materials – such as aluminium and cardboard – collected and sent directly to the appropriate recycling centre. This saves time and minimises the chance of not sorting waste correctly. It’s reassuring to know that the waste we collect is being recycled as efficiently as possible.

"We are proud to take an ethical approach when it comes to the environmental impact of our building work and we have brought this approach into our waste management business. We aim to encourage the use of sustainable materials where possible, but – where it is not possible – we now also aid in the reuse or recycling of discarded items. As our company motto states, 'think green'!"