Clearing the Vape Haze: DA Miller and Sons Transport Boosts Environmental Responsibility

Family-run business leads the charge in recycling vapes and appliances, helping Northern Ireland on its path to a more sustainable future.

Claudy-based DA Miller and Sons Transport Ltd is at the forefront of driving environmental responsibility across Northern Ireland, particularly during NI Recycling Week. Under the leadership of Director Glen Miller, this family-run business is committed to promoting sustainability through the recycling of end-of-life appliances and white goods, shaping a greener future for the region.

Founded in 2004, DA Miller & Sons Transport initially started with just one vehicle, transporting municipal waste to landfill. Since then, the company has grown significantly, specialising in recycling transport across the UK and Ireland from 2009 onwards. Today, they are experts in large-volume bulk haulage, using walking floor trailers that are ideal for the recycling industry.

“Our large-volume walking floor trailers now have a capacity of 100 m³ (130 yrd³), allowing us to reach payloads of up to 26 tonnes, even with lightweight materials such as alloy wheels, farm plastics, and dry mixed recyclables,” said Glen Miller, Director.

In the past year alone, the company has collected 3,000 tonnes of fridge freezers—approximately 70,000 units—and over 1,000 tonnes of televisions, equating to around 150,000 units. These efforts have been instrumental in preventing hazardous materials from reaching landfills, while also recovering valuable resources for reuse.

Glen Miller stated: “At DA Miller and Sons, we are acutely aware of the environmental damage that can be caused by improperly discarded appliances. Our mission is to ensure that these items are responsibly collected, dismantled, and recycled in a manner that protects the environment and reduces our carbon footprint.”

DA Miller and Sons collaborates with 94 recycling centres across Northern Ireland, collecting and transporting appliances to specialist facilities. Fridge freezers are sent to Toomebridge, where harmful refrigerant gases are safely removed, and metals and plastics are recovered. Televisions undergo a similar process in Duleek, Co Meath, and Halifax in England, ensuring that as little waste as possible ends up in landfill.

Expanding their operations, DA Miller and Sons has recently taken on vape recycling under a new contract with Veolia. These smaller devices contain hazardous materials, such as lithium batteries, which require careful handling. “Our vape recycling programme is an important new step in tackling electronic waste and ensuring dangerous materials don’t end up in landfill. Even small changes can have a huge impact on the environment,” Glen Miller explained.

“As a business, we are proud to play our part in the recycling sector and fully support the Rescue Me Campaign in Northern Ireland, run by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs,” Miller added.
 
“We’re passionate about helping to create a more sustainable Northern Ireland,” said Miller. “Everything we do is driven by a commitment to protecting the environment. By recovering materials from old appliances and vapes, we reduce the need for new resources and lower carbon emissions. This is not just about waste management – it’s about creating a circular economy that benefits everyone.”

As NI Recycling Week highlights the importance of sustainability, and with the "Rescue Me - Recycle" campaign encouraging more waste reduction, DA Miller and Sons Transport Ltd remains dedicated to its role in fighting climate change and protecting the local environment for future generations.