Recycling and Sustainability
Our recycling and sustainability commitment is built around practical action, measurable progress, and everyday habits that make a real difference. We aim to reach a 75% recycling rate target across our operations, with careful sorting, smarter collection routes, and better reuse of materials wherever possible. In areas where boroughs use structured waste separation, we support clear segregation of cardboard, plastics, metals, and residual waste so that more materials can be recovered efficiently. This approach helps keep valuable resources in circulation and reduces the amount sent to landfill.
We also recognise that sustainability is not just about recycling bins and collection days. It is about designing a system that reduces waste at every stage. That is why we work with local transfer stations to consolidate loads, improve material recovery, and reduce unnecessary travel. By using well-managed transfer points, we can streamline recycling activity, support cleaner handling of mixed recyclables, and create a more efficient route for sorting and onward processing. In boroughs where residents and businesses separate waste into dry mixed recycling and general waste, this extra coordination helps improve capture rates and cut contamination.
Our recycling service includes practical support for items that can be reused, repaired, or redirected through local partners. We prioritise materials such as paper, glass, metals, plastics, and wood, while also paying attention to bulky items that can often be diverted from disposal. 
When possible, we recover reusable goods through charity partnerships, helping pass on furniture, appliances, textiles, and other items to organisations that can give them a second life. This keeps waste out of the stream and supports community-led reuse at the same time.
Working with charities is a core part of our wider sustainability plan. Many items that appear ready for disposal can still be valuable to community groups, social enterprises, and reuse projects. Through these partnerships, we help extend the lifespan of products and reduce the demand for new materials. This is especially useful for household clearances, office refurbishments, and changes in commercial premises, where good-quality items can often be diverted into reuse instead of being processed as waste. The result is a more circular model that benefits both the environment and local communities.
We also invest in low-carbon vans to reduce emissions across our collection and delivery work. 
These vehicles are chosen for improved fuel efficiency, lower tailpipe emissions, and reduced noise, making them a better fit for urban streets and busy neighbourhoods. By combining cleaner transport with route planning, we can lower our carbon footprint while maintaining reliable service. In boroughs that encourage separation of food waste, dry recyclables, and non-recyclables, efficient low-emission vehicles help support frequent collections without adding unnecessary pollution.
Every journey is planned with sustainability in mind. That means fewer empty miles, better load optimisation, and shorter travel between collection points and transfer stations. It also means reviewing the type of material being handled so we can match the right vehicle to the right task. For example, lighter recyclable streams can be moved in a way that reduces emissions, while more complex loads are directed through the most efficient recovery route. Recycling sustainability is strongest when logistics, sorting, and reuse all work together.
We know that local recycling practices can vary from one borough to another, so we adapt our operations to suit different separation requirements. Some boroughs focus on clear dry recycling systems, while others place more emphasis on food waste capture, bulky waste diversion, or mixed dry recycling collections. Our approach respects those differences and supports compliance with local expectations. This helps residents and businesses participate more easily in the recycling process and improves the quality of materials sent for recovery.
We also look closely at materials that are commonly recycled in the area, including cardboard, cans, plastics, paper, and household metals. Where appropriate, we support the recovery of green waste and certain electrical items, provided they can be processed safely and responsibly. Our teams aim to keep each waste stream as clean as possible, because lower contamination means higher-value recycling outcomes. Strong sorting habits and thoughtful collection practices are essential to any effective recycling and sustainability programme.
Beyond collection, we focus on reduction and reuse as the first steps. Sustainable waste management works best when items are kept in use for as long as possible. That is why we place such importance on reuse routes, donation opportunities, and careful material handling. Whether the task involves a home clearance, a commercial move, or an ongoing waste stream, we look for ways to divert suitable items away from disposal and into a more circular system. This reduces environmental impact while helping local recovery networks grow.
Our transfer station partnerships play an important role in supporting this wider model. By working with local facilities, we can ensure recyclable materials are sorted, baled, and sent on for further processing in the most responsible way. This is especially useful where borough-specific waste separation creates different collection streams that need to be managed efficiently. It allows us to keep recyclable loads distinct, maintain better material quality, and improve the overall performance of our recycling operations.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on improving our recycling percentage target and strengthening every part of the process. That includes cleaner vehicles, smarter routing, local reuse partnerships, and more effective handling at transfer stations. It also means staying responsive to borough-level waste systems and supporting the separation habits that make recycling more successful. With these measures in place, our recycling and sustainability work continues to move toward lower emissions, higher recovery rates, and a more circular future.
