United Resource Management

What United Resource Management does

United Resource Management (URM) is a privately owned Australian waste management and resource recovery company, founded in 1971 as Johnston Waste and incorporated as URM Environmental Services Pty Ltd in 1994. Headquartered in Chatswood, NSW, the company operates across Australia's eastern seaboard with a fleet of 300+ trucks and 700+ staff (per Managing Director Anthony Johnston; firmographic record shows 251-500), executing 275M+ commercial and residential collections and processing 12M+ tonnes of recycling cumulatively. URM also operates a UK glass recycling plant in Essex with annual throughput of 350,000 tonnes, and publicly claims global leadership in glass beneficiation plant design and operation. Services span commercial and residential waste collection, mobile bins and skips (80L to 4.5M), liquid and grease trap waste, asbestos and clinical waste, hazardous materials, sanitisation, secure document destruction, and material-specific recycling (glass, organics, paper/cardboard, commingled, e-waste, scrap metal, construction & demolition). Customers span automotive, construction, events, healthcare, hospitality, industrial/manufacturing, property, retail, and municipal/government verticals, with named enterprise clients including City of Sydney Council, Ardagh Glass, Encirc Glass, Owens Illinois, and Firths Ports. The family-owned, family-operated business is led by founder/Managing Director Anthony Johnston and CEO David Johnston and operates as URM Environmental Services Pty Ltd under Australian private limited structure.

The business model is dominated by recurring subscription-style collection contracts (commercial accounts, council tenders, residential kerbside) supplemented by transaction-fee recycling services, professional services (waste audits, compliance advisory), and managed services for specialty/hazardous waste. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; commercial contracts are quote-based with a promotional structure offering up to 3 months free on 3-year terms, and shorter free periods on 1- and 2-year terms. The go-to-market mix combines enterprise field sales with free site assessments, an inside-sales phone channel (131 876), a commercial self-serve portal (WastEdge), and community-led brand reinforcement through a 25-year sole-Major-Partnership with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL club plus a deep local sponsorship portfolio on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Operationally, URM differentiates on fleet telematics, route-optimisation analytics, ISO 9001/14001 and AS 4801 certifications, and proprietary glass beneficiation capacity; commercially, it relies on community brand and long-cycle council contracts rather than AI-native or platform technology.

Name

United Resource Management

Legal name

URM Environmental Services Pty Ltd

Website

https://urmgroup.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

United Resource Management (URM) is a privately owned Australian waste management and resource recovery company providing commercial and residential collection, recycling, and specialty waste services across multiple industry verticals, operating 300+ trucks in Australia and a 350,000-tonne glass recycling plant in the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management and Resource Recovery Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (5621), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous) (EUAIAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Waste & Resource Management (General Waste/Recycling/Composting) (IMAIAAAG), E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG), Waste Management & Hazardous Waste Compliance (RCRA, Universal Waste, Waste Characterization/Manifests) (EUAHABAC), Medical & Biohazardous Waste Management (RMW, Sharps, Pathological) (EUAIAFAE), Hazardous Waste & Universal Waste Handling (Batteries, Lamps, Aerosols) (BPABALAE), Waste & Hazardous Materials Management (incl. HazMat) (BPAHAJAK)

Keywords

• Waste management services
• Resource recovery solutions
• Commercial waste collection
• Recycling services
• Hazardous waste removal

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatswood

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Commercial Waste Collection: Collection and disposal of commercial waste streams including general waste, recycling, and specialized waste for businesses across Australia.
2. Residential Waste Collection: Kerbside collection services for households including waste, recycling, and organics bins.
3. Consultancy Services: Waste audits, compliance consulting, sustainability planning, and site assessments for businesses and government clients.
4. Recycling Services: Processing and recycling of various materials including glass, paper, cardboard, metals, e-waste, and construction materials.
5. Specialized Waste Removal: Hazardous waste, clinical waste, liquid waste, asbestos removal, and sanitization services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

United Resource Management (URM) is a waste and resource recovery company that collects, transports, processes, and recycles waste streams for corporate, government, and residential customers across Australia and the UK. Its core services include commercial waste collection, residential kerbside collection, mobile bins and skips (80L to 4.5M sizes), liquid waste removal, hazardous and clinical waste disposal, asbestos removal, sanitisation, and recycling services spanning glass, paper, cardboard, e-waste, organic, scrap metal, and construction/demolition materials. URM also provides waste audits, compliance consulting, and operates glass beneficiation plants.

Product overview

URM (United Resource Management) is a comprehensive waste management and resource recovery company offering a unified portfolio of integrated services rather than a modular platform. The core offerings include commercial waste collection, mobile bins and skips (available in sizes from 80L to 4.5M), liquid waste management, hazardous waste removal, and recycling services across multiple waste streams (glass, paper/cardboard, commingled, e-waste, organic, scrap metal, construction/demolition). Specialist services include asbestos removal, clinical waste handling, sanitisation, and consultancy/compliance advisory. The company operates a fleet of 300+ trucks and multiple processing facilities across Australia and the UK, providing end-to-end waste management solutions for industries including automotive, construction, events, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, property, and retail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Waste Collection Reliable commercial waste removal solutions for corporate accounts and businesses across Australia, including general waste, recycling, and specialised waste streams.
• Mobile Garbage Bins and Skips Affordable mobile garbage bins and skip bins available in various sizes (80L to 4.5M) for commercial and residential use.
• Liquid Waste Management Safe liquid waste management and disposal including fats, oils, grease, and wastewater for homes, cafes, and industrial sites.
• Sanitisation Services On-site sanitisation using fogging and electrostatic sanitisation to kill viruses, bacteria, and pathogens in commercial spaces.
• Consultancy and Compliance Services Environmental monitoring, waste audits, and compliance advisory services to help businesses maintain excellent compliance records.
• Asbestos Removal Safe asbestos removal and disposal by certified experts following strict government regulations and OH&S requirements.
• Clinical Waste Service Safe clinical waste collection and disposal for hospitals and medical facilities including quarantine, sanitary, cytotoxic, pharmaceutical, and anatomical waste.
• Commingled Recycling Recycling service accepting plastic, aluminum, steel, and glass containers in a single bin for sorting at processing facilities.
• Construction and Demolition Waste Eco-friendly construction and demolition waste recycling solutions handling concrete, bricks, asphalt, lead paint, and other materials.
• Dry and Wet Waste Recycling Cost-effective dry and wet waste recycling solutions segregating waste to divert materials from landfill.
• E-Waste Recycling Responsible electronics recycling and safe disposal of obsolete or broken electronic equipment.
• General Waste Management Comprehensive waste management plans and collection services tailored for commercial enterprises.
• Glass Recycling Global leader in glass recycling with dedicated bins for businesses and council kerbside collection, processed at advanced glass beneficiation plants including the UK facility handling 350,000 tonnes annually.
• Grease Trap Services Grease and liquid waste removal including pumping, cleaning, and maintenance for commercial kitchens, cafes, and industrial sites.
• Hazardous Waste Removal Safe removal and disposal of commercial or household hazardous waste including medical waste, chemicals, and contaminated materials.
• Organic Waste Services Organic waste collection and disposal through dedicated bins for food scraps, organics, and composting solutions.
• Paper and Cardboard Recycling Commercial and residential paper and cardboard recycling services across Australia with EPA-compliant disposal.
• Secure Document Destruction State-of-the-art document destruction and secure shredding services for confidential materials with privacy protection.
• Scrap Metal Recycling Fast and efficient scrap metal recycling for homes, offices, and industrial sites with 100% Australian commitment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 275 million commercial and residential collections completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Winning MovesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021URM partnered with Winning Moves to produce the Northern Beaches Monopoly Edition board game, celebrating URM's 50 years of service to the Northern Beaches community.
• Gallery Lane CoveminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020URM is proud to sponsor the Dyarra Murrama Guwing exhibition celebrating NAIDOC Week 2020, featuring Aboriginal matrilineal perspectives on environmental care.
• Life EducationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017URM donated the sternum position on Sea Eagles away jerseys to Life Education charity partner, featuring Healthy Harold mascot. Part of partnership upgrade with Sea Eagles.
• Michael Tynan ChallengeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016URM is a proud sponsor of the Michael Tynan Challenge, raising funds for St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation and University of Wollongong.
• Mini-Mos Community Fun RunminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2011URM is a Silver Sponsor of the Mini-Mos Community Fun Run & Fair, one of Mosman community's premier annual events raising funds for Mosman Public School and nominated charities.
• Special Children's Christmas PartiesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009URM has been proudly supporting Special Children's Christmas Parties since 2009, Australia's largest Christmas party for special needs children.
• CareFlightminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1998URM has been proudly supporting CareFlight since 1998, an Australian aeromedical charity providing rapid response critical care.
• Manly Warringah Sea EaglescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1997URM has been Major Partner of the Sea Eagles NRL club since 1997. In 2017, URM upgraded to sole Major Partner, with branding on the front of home and away jerseys. Season 2021 marks the 25th consecutive year of partnership. The relationship extends beyond jersey sponsorship to community programs including player visits to schools, sustainability education, and the URM Community Corner at home games.
• Beach2Beach Charity Fun RuncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is the Major Sponsor of the annual Beach2Beach Charity Fun Run & Festival, organized by Rotary Club of Brookvale. The event raises funds for local charities including Life Education, Northern Beaches Interchange, Surf Life Saving, and others.
• Surf Life Saving - Sydney Northern BeachesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM proudly supports Surf Life Saving - Sydney Northern Beaches, which administers 21 surf clubs on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
• Warringah Rats Rugby ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is a Gold Sponsor of the Warringah Rats Rugby Club, one of the oldest rugby clubs on the Northern Beaches with over 50 years of history.
• Balmoral SwimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is a Gold Sponsor of the Balmoral Swim for Cancer, an annual event raising funds for Children's Cancer Institute since 2006.
• Manly Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM has been proudly supporting Manly Lions Club for over 25 years, part of the international Lions Australia association.
• Pittwater Peninsula Netball ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is proud to be a sponsor of the Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club, one of the longest standing netball clubs on the Northern Beaches.
• The URM Little Big SwimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM sponsors The URM Little Big Swim, held in conjunction with The Big Swim at Palm Beach, promoting ocean swimming and water safety.
• Carols by the LakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is proud to be a sponsor of Carols by the Lake, an annual Christmas event on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
• Manly Police Rugby LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerURM is proud to be a sponsor of Manly Police Rugby League, supporting current and retired NSW Police Officers in NSWPRL competitions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Republic Services: Major US-based environmental services company with strong recycling and C&D franchises. Comparable integrated collection + processing model with multi-segment enterprise customers.
• Waste Management, Inc. Largest waste management company in North America with global recycling and landfill operations. Sets industry benchmarks on fleet telematics, MRF scale, and ESG reporting relevant to URM's strategic roadmap.
• Veolia Australia and New Zealand: Global environmental services major providing waste collection, recycling, and resource recovery across Australia. Competes with URM in commercial and municipal tenders, but offers a much broader utilities and industrial services portfolio.
• Suez Recycling and Recovery Australia: International waste and resource recovery major operating in Australia through收购ed Suez assets. Provides comparable commercial waste, recycling, and hazardous services to URM's customer base.

Direct peers

• Cleanaway Waste Management: Australia's largest waste management company (ASX-listed) operating commercial collection, recycling, and hazardous waste services nationally. Direct competitor for URM's municipal and enterprise contracts across the eastern seaboard.
• Solo Resource Recovery: Privately held Australian waste and recycling company providing commercial and industrial collection, recycling, and liquid waste services. Comparable mid-market operator competing in similar geographies.
• Bingo Industries: ASX-listed Australian waste company focused on construction & demolition recycling and commercial collection. Direct overlap with URM's C&D and commercial waste services across NSW.
• JJ's Waste & Recycling: Family-owned Australian waste management company with comparable scale, fleet, and east-coast service profile. Closely mirrors URM in ownership structure, customer mix, and service offering.

Emerging players

• Toxfree Solutions: Specialist hazardous and industrial waste services provider in Australia (now part of Cleanaway). Direct overlap with URM's hazardous, clinical, and specialised waste service lines.
• Strategic Materials: Largest glass recycler in North America, operating multiple beneficiation plants. Direct competitor to URM's UK glass recycling business in the global cullet supply market and a relevant scaling template.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/URM_Group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Resource Management