Ward Recycling
Ward Recycling is the UK's largest independent metal recycler and waste management company, processing over 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually across 11 UK sites and serving construction, manufacturing, retail, public sector and household customers with metal trading, skip hire, hazardous waste, vehicle and textile recycling services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersWoodville, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ward Recycling does
Ward Recycling is a fourth-generation, family-owned UK metal recycling and waste management company founded in the 1950s and headquartered in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. It is the largest independent metal recycler in the Midlands and the UK's largest independent metal recycling and waste management company, processing in excess of 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually and running 11 sites across England and Wales including a rail-connected bulk processing facility at Barking and a port-based site at Cardiff. The company trades ferrous and non-ferrous metals domestically and for export worldwide via container, vessel and rail, and operates complementary waste streams including commercial and household skip hire, hazardous waste management (asbestos, chemicals, WEEE), vehicle de-pollution and recycling, and the WARDRobe textile recycling sub-brand which processes over 200 tonnes of textiles per month.
The business is built around physical metal processing assets — high-volume shredders, large-scale shears, balers and fully calibrated electronic public weighbridges — combined with a FORS Gold accredited own-fleet transport operation. Its competitive position is reinforced by hard-to-replicate regulatory licences including hazardous waste transport, Authorised Treatment Facility status for WEEE, and Registered Vehicle De-Pollution Centre status, alongside ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications with further ISO 50001, 26000, 20400 and 44001 commitments. The company has won the Queen's Award for Excellence in International Trade and was named Metal Recycler of the Year in 2020.
Ward generates revenue through a mix of transactional commodity trading (ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, end-of-life vehicles), recurring commercial waste and skip hire contracts, professional services for hazardous waste, and a self-serve online channel for household skip hire. It serves ten customer segments including Construction & Demolition, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, Offices, Public Sector, Utilities, Facilities Management, Vehicle Owners and Household customers, with distribution via direct enterprise sales, a National Trade Partners Programme for nationwide multi-site coverage, online skip ordering with Pay-in-3 instalments, and international metal export channels.
Ward Recycling firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ward Recycling
- Legal name
- Ward
- Website
- https://ward.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Ward Recycling is the UK's largest independent metal recycler and waste management company, processing over 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually across 11 UK sites and serving construction, manufacturing, retail, public sector and household customers with metal trading, skip hire, hazardous waste, vehicle and textile recycling services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ward Recycling industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metal Recycling and Waste Management Services
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Collection (56211), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metals Recovery & Scrap Processing (from C&D) (BPALAJAF), Industrial & Manufacturing Scrap Recycling (Factory Scrap, Turnings, Offcuts) (IMAKAMAE), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB)
Keywords
Where Ward Recycling is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Woodville
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices12 records
Markets served
Ward Recycling business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Ferrous Metal Recycling: Purchase and processing of ferrous metals including steel, iron, and various grades. Materials processed for UK end users or export overseas. Ward processes in excess of 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually.
- Non-Ferrous Metal Trading: Commercial buyer and seller of all non-ferrous metals including copper, stainless steel, aluminium, brasses, phosphor bronze, gun metal, and specialist alloys. Both UK and worldwide supply.
- Commercial Waste Collection Services: Regular waste collections, skip hire, and container services for commercial customers including general waste, dry mixed recycling, wood, plastics, food waste, and hazardous materials.
- Skip Hire: Household and commercial skip hire services ranging from 3 to 40 cubic yards. One-off or contract services with online ordering available.
- Hazardous Waste Management: Licensed transport, handling and disposal of hazardous materials including asbestos, chemicals, solvents, oils, WEEE. Services include project management for large scale disposal.
- WARDRobe Textile Recycling: Collection, recovery and reuse of textiles through textile banks, schools and clubs. Processing over 200 tonnes monthly with global export of reusable products.
- Vehicle Recycling: Registered Vehicle De-Pollution Centre offering end-of-life vehicle recycling with 10-step disposal process, achieving extraction and recycling of over 95% of vehicles per EU directives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Asbestos Disposal - Bulk (over 150kgs) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Asbestos Disposal - Small One-Off (under 150kgs) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Skip Hire - Pay in 3 Interest Free |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ward Recycling product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ward Recycling purchases, processes, and trades ferrous and non-ferrous metals at scale, processing in excess of 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually. It also provides commercial and household waste management services including skip hire, hazardous waste disposal, vehicle de-pollution, and textile recycling (via the WARDRobe division) across 11 UK locations.
Product overview
Ward Recycling operates as a metal recycling and waste management company offering a diversified portfolio of services. The core offerings include Commercial Metal Recycling and Household Metal Recycling (encompassing Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling, Vehicle Recycling), Commercial Waste Services and Household Waste Services, Skip Hire (Commercial and Household), Hazardous Waste Management (including Asbestos Disposal), and WARDRobe textile recycling. Additional services include Emergency Waste Removal, National Waste Management with partner coverage, and a Special Projects Division for large-scale demolition and rail projects. The company also provides digital tools including an Online Skip Booking system with Pay in 3 payment options, WARDRobe Map for locating textile banks, and Scrap Metal Quote forms. The portfolio is organized around metal recycling as the primary business, supported by complementary waste management and disposal services for both commercial and household customers across the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WARDrobe: Textile recycling division of Ward focused on the recovery and reuse of textiles. Services textile banks across the UK and exports globally.
- RecycleACar
Products and services
- Commercial Metal Recycling Comprehensive metal recycling service for commercial businesses including collection, processing, and trading of ferrous and non-ferrous metals with nationwide coverage and rail-linked bulk shipments.
- Household Metal Recycling Metal recycling service for individuals and households offering fair prices for scrap metal drop-offs at local yards, including vehicle recycling.
- Ferrous Metal Recycling Processing and recycling of ferrous metals including steel, iron and various steel grades, with capacity of more than 500,000 tonnes processed annually using high volume shredders, shears and balers.
- Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling Commercial buying and selling of non-ferrous metals including copper, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, phosphor bronze, gun metal and specialist alloys for both UK and worldwide supply.
- Vehicle Recycling End-of-life vehicle recycling as a Registered Vehicle De-Pollution Centre, with a 10-step disposal process achieving extraction and recycling of more than 95% of each vehicle in line with EU directives.
- Commercial Waste Services Tailored business waste management including regular scheduled collections, trade waste audits, one-off collections, container services and recycling of general waste, dry mixed recycling, wood, plastics, food waste and hazardous materials.
- Household Waste Services Domestic waste management services including skip hire and disposal for household projects, clearances and renovations.
- Commercial Skip Hire Skip hire for businesses with sizes from 3 to 40 cubic yards including roll-on/roll-off skips and permit arrangements, available on one-off or contract basis.
- Household Skip Hire Domestic skip hire with sizes from 3 to 40 cubic yards, online booking, Pay in 3 interest-free instalments and delivery within 24 hours in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
- Hazardous Waste Management Licensed collection, transport, handling and disposal of hazardous materials including asbestos, chemicals, solvents, oils and WEEE for commercial and industrial customers, including project management for large-scale disposals.
- Asbestos Disposal Services Complete asbestos collection, disposal and project management covering the whole of the UK, with bulk pricing at £230 per tonne (minimum 0.5 tonnes) and a £95 small load drop-off option.
- WARDRobe Textile Recycling Textile recovery and reuse through a UK-wide network of textile banks, school and club collection points, plus a 10,000 sq ft warehouse for processing into bottany bags and exporting reusable clothing globally.
- Emergency Waste Removal 24-hour emergency waste removal services for chemical spillages, flooding, fly-tipping and other urgent situations across commercial customer sites.
- National Waste Management Nationwide waste management delivered through a preferred partner programme providing round-the-clock coverage for multi-location businesses across the UK.
- Special Projects Division Large-scale construction, demolition and rail project waste management services, handling complex multi-stream waste from sites such as parcel distribution depots and rail upgrades.
Quantifiable outcome
- 500,000+ tonnes of ferrous metals processed annually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ward Recycling
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments10 records
Ward Recycling technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ward Recycling partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Retail Giant (Sharewear Trial)minorTrial scheme with major retailer for clothing charity partnership through WARDRobe and Sharewear.
- 1538 (Community Interest Company)minorFuel donation partnership to support delivery of essential supplies to war-torn Ukraine.
- University of Manchester School of Social SciencesminorPre-loved clothing drive partnership with Sharewear and University of Manchester to tackle clothing poverty.
- Barking Rail-Connected Site PartnersminorOpened new rail connected metal processing site in Barking, East London to support national operations.
- Treetops HospiceminorAnnual Christmas Treecycling initiative partnership. Ward supports the hospice's environmental fundraising campaign through Christmas tree collection and recycling services.
- SharewearcoreCharity partnership providing emergency clothing, shoes and bedding to prevent clothing waste and clothing poverty. Trial scheme with retail giant announced.
- Bad BambiminorVintage clothing store partnership promoting reuse. Ward invests in the high street while Bad Bambi provides mental health first aider training for the community.
- Arena CommunityminorFoodbank charity partner based at Community Hub on Belfield Street, Ilkeston. Ward supports local community initiatives.
- Cancer JourneyminorSupport group meeting monthly in Chilwell providing information, support, therapy, social activities and informative talks.
- UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT)minorProud member of UKFT which brings together designers, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to promote UK fashion and textile industry.
- Textile Recycling AssociationminorProud member of the TRA, the UK's trade association for collectors, sorters, processors and exporters of used clothing and textiles.
- British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA)coreActive member with voice in shaping the industry. Industry body for metal recyclers in the UK.
- National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC)coreActive member of the federation representing demolition contractors, supporting industry shaping and best practices.
- East Midlands Rail ForumminorActive member supporting rail industry in the East Midlands region.
- University of DerbyminorPartnership with University of Derby DE-Carbonise project to increase sustainability and reduce emissions among the construction supply chain.
- University of NottinghamminorPostgraduate Placement Nottingham (PPN) scheme hosting placement student Deepak Kataria from August 2021.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ward Recycling competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EMR Group (European Metal Recycling): EMR is the UK's largest metal recycler, operating across ferrous and non-ferrous metals, ELV processing, and integrated waste services. It is the most direct competitor to Ward in Midlands/UK scrap metal collection, shredding, and international export.
- Renewi: Dutch-headquartered recycling and waste management company with substantial UK operations across commercial waste, hazardous waste, and materials recovery facilities. Comparable to Ward's waste collection and MRF activities for UK commercial customers.
- Biffa: One of the UK's largest waste management companies providing commercial waste collection, skip hire, recycling, and hazardous waste services. Directly comparable to Ward's waste management arm — skip hire, hazardous, recycling — across a similar SME-to-enterprise UK customer base.
- REAL Group (Roundtable Engineering & Asset Lifecycle): Independent UK metal recycling and demolition group providing scrap metal processing and demolition services. Closely comparable to Ward in being an independent UK metals and demolition player serving C&D customers.
- Reconomy: UK-focused waste management and recycling company providing commercial waste, skip hire, and resource management services across multiple sectors. Direct overlap with Ward's commercial waste and recycling proposition for enterprise clients.
Broad incumbents
- Sims Metal Management: Global metal recycling major with significant UK operations across ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, including metal recycling and brokerage activities. Overlaps with Ward's commercial metal recycling and ELV services but operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies.
- Veolia UK: UK arm of global environmental services group offering waste collection, hazardous waste, recycling, and materials recovery. Overlaps with Ward's commercial waste, hazardous, and recycling verticals but operates as a broad incumbent rather than metals specialist.
- Schnitzer Steel Industries: US-based metals recycling company with European scrap operations including ferrous and non-ferrous processing. Comparable in metals recycling activity but operates a much broader geographic and end-market footprint than Ward.
Regional players
- Galloo: European metal recycling group headquartered in Belgium/France with operations primarily in continental Europe. Comparable to Ward in shredding, ferrous, and non-ferrous processing, but does not overlap geographically in the UK domestic market.
Emerging players
- SA Recycling: US-headquartered ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycler with international operations including UK site presence. Comparable to Ward in metal processing and trading activities, though active in fewer European geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ward Recycling social profiles
Digital presenceWard Recycling compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
Ward Recycling financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ward Recycling leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ward Recycling funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ward Recycling M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ward Recycling
What does Ward Recycling do?
Ward Recycling purchases, processes, and trades ferrous and non-ferrous metals at scale, processing in excess of 500,000 tonnes of ferrous metals annually. It also provides commercial and household waste management services including skip hire, hazardous waste disposal, vehicle de-pollution, and textile recycling (via the WARDRobe division) across 11 UK locations.
Is Ward Recycling a public or private company?
Ward Recycling is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ward Recycling founded?
Ward Recycling was founded in 1950. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Ward Recycling based?
Ward Recycling is headquartered in Woodville, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ward Recycling make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Ferrous Metal Recycling is the primary driver. The others are non-Ferrous Metal Trading, commercial Waste Collection Services, skip Hire, hazardous Waste Management, WARDRobe Textile Recycling and vehicle Recycling.
Who are Ward Recycling's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EMR Group (European Metal Recycling), Renewi, Biffa, REAL Group (Roundtable Engineering & Asset Lifecycle) and Reconomy. Broad incumbents are Sims Metal Management, Veolia UK and Schnitzer Steel Industries. Galloo is listed as a regional player. SA Recycling is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ward Recycling have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ward Recycling.
What industry is Ward Recycling in?
Ward Recycling's product category is Metal Recycling and Waste Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALADAF, Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous), with a secondary code of BPALAJAF, Metals Recovery & Scrap Processing (from C&D). Its NAICS code is 56292 and its SIC code is 4953.