VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT, the French collection services group, has bought out, CLEANAWAY UK for €859 million (turnover of £494 million expected for 2005-2006 tax year, with 7,500 involved in this service). The British waste services company is a subsidiary of the Australian group BRAMBLES INDUSTRIES. This acquisition will enable VEOLIA to develop in the property sector, which already represented 26% of its turnover in 2005.