Environment First
Environment First Limited is a UK-based waste management and recycling company operating an anaerobic digestion plant across Kent, London, and South East England. It serves commercial, food production, retail, and agricultural customers with paper, plastics, and organic waste recycling services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMaidstone, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Environment First does
Environment First Limited is a UK-based waste management and recycling company operating from Lested Farm in Chart Sutton, Maidstone, Kent, with a service footprint across Kent, London, and the wider South East of England. Incorporated in England and Wales in 2001 (company number 04167841) and built on a third-generation family farming business with roots in the 1960s, the company serves commercial businesses, food production and retail customers, and the agricultural sector with a multi-stream recycling offering: cardboard and paper recycling, plastics recycling, organic waste recycling, a compliance and reporting service, baler equipment rental and sale (horizontal and vertical units), and waste collection.
The company's core technological differentiator is an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant that processes organic and food waste into biogas and biofertiliser, with biogas subsequently used for power generation. This AD capability underpins both the organic waste recycling service and a green energy production revenue stream, and is vertically integrated with a sister-company partnership (Dan Mackelden Ltd) that consumes the biofertiliser output. Cardboard, paper, and plastics streams are supplemented through an approved recycling partner network rather than fully in-house processing.
Environment First runs a multi-revenue-stream B2B model combining recurring recycling collection contracts on a quote-based, pay-as-you-go basis; transactional material rebates priced against Lets Recycle market indices; baler hardware sold or rented on weekly rental terms; and managed green energy production from the AD plant. Pricing is opaque and dispatched on a quote basis with no published rate cards, and the customer base spans SMB to mid-market commercial accounts across multiple verticals with no publicly disclosed anchor customers.
Environment First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Environment First
- Legal name
- Environment First Limited
- Website
- https://environmentfirstltd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Environment First Limited is a UK-based waste management and recycling company operating an anaerobic digestion plant across Kent, London, and South East England. It serves commercial, food production, retail, and agricultural customers with paper, plastics, and organic waste recycling services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Environment First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Waste Management and Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Collection (562111)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro industry
- Industrial Packaging Waste Services (Pallets, Cardboard, Film, IBCs/Drums—Non-hazardous)Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Services (Waste Management, Recycling & Remediation)/Industrial & Commercial Waste Services (Non-hazardous, Specialized Streams)Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous)Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Services (Waste Management, Recycling & Remediation)/Industrial & Commercial Waste Services (Non-hazardous, Specialized Streams)Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging)Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Environmental Reporting
Keywords
Where Environment First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maidstone
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Environment First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Recycling Collection Services: Bespoke recycling collection services for cardboard, paper, plastics, and organic waste. Revenue generated through service fees for waste collection and management.
- Material Rebates: Customers receive payments (rebates) for recyclable materials including cardboard and plastics. Prices tracked through Lets Recycle market pricing.
- Equipment Rental and Sales: Supply of new and refurbished horizontal and vertical balers/compactors on weekly rental basis or for purchase. Full-service maintenance contracts available.
- Green Energy Production: Biogas generated from anaerobic digestion is used to produce power, reducing UK reliance on imported gas.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-as-you-go collection service |
| Subscription | Weekly | Equipment rental - weekly basis |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Equipment purchase |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Material rebates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Environment First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Environment First provides bespoke commercial recycling collection services for cardboard, paper, plastics, and organic waste streams across Kent and London. The company operates a one-stop shop waste management model supported by its own Anaerobic Digestion plant, which converts organic/food waste into biogas for power generation and biofertiliser for agricultural use. Additional offerings include baler/compactor equipment rental and sales, compliance reporting, and waste carrier documentation for regulatory audit trails.
Product overview
Environment First is a bespoke recycling service provider offering a unified portfolio of waste management solutions. The core offering spans four interconnected service lines: Cardboard & Paper Recycling, Plastics Recycling, Organic Waste Recycling (with proprietary Anaerobic Digestion plant), and Compliance & Reporting. These services are supported by equipment rental/sale (Horizontal and Vertical Balers) and flexible waste collection scheduling. The integrated approach enables businesses to consolidate recyclable waste streams through a single point of contact, with the company arranging collection and responsible recycling via its network of approved partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cardboard & Paper Recycling Service Collection and recycling service for cardboard and paper waste streams from commercial businesses across Kent and London, accepting materials loose or baled with optional provision of cardboard baler/compactor equipment.
- Plastics Recycling Service Collection and recycling service for plastic waste, accepting PP, PET, LDPE, HDPE, EPS, polytunnel, and Corex materials in various forms and colours.
- Organic Waste Recycling Service Collection and processing of organic and food waste using anaerobic digestion technology to generate biogas for power production, with resulting biofertiliser for agricultural use.
- Compliance & Reporting Service Recycling audit trails and performance reporting to demonstrate regulatory compliance and support environmental credentials, including destruction notices and waste carrier documentation.
- Baler Equipment (Horizontal & Vertical) Supply of new and refurbished horizontal and vertical balers for cardboard and plastic baling, available for weekly rental or purchase, with full-service maintenance contracts including PUWER Regulations services.
- Waste Collection Service Scheduled or ad hoc collection of recyclable waste materials throughout Kent and London, providing cost-effective, hassle-free one-stop shop waste management solutions with flexible weekly, monthly or one-time collection options.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cardboard can be recycled up to 5 times throughout its life
Companies that use Environment First
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Environment First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Environment First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Dan Mackelden LtdcoreSister company with strong ongoing links. Environment First retains strong links with Dan Mackelden Ltd, sharing a strong desire to work with nature and commitment to providing friendly, personal service. The AD plant waste is used by Dan Mackelden farm as biofertiliser, creating a circular economy relationship between the two companies.
- Approved and Trusted Recycling PartnerssupportingWorking with a network of approved and trusted partners to responsibly recycle what Environment First cannot process themselves, enabling a comprehensive service package.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Environment First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Veolia UK: Veolia is a global environmental services firm with substantial UK operations across commercial waste collection, recycling, and resource recovery. It is a broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities to Environment First's commercial customers.
- Biffa plc: Biffa is one of the UK's largest waste management companies providing commercial waste collection, recycling, and treatment services. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Environment First on commercial recycling contracts across the UK, but at national scale.
- FCC Environment (UK): FCC Environment operates recycling, waste collection, and treatment services across the UK. As a broad incumbent, it competes for commercial and municipal recycling contracts similar to those served by Environment First.
- Renewi plc: Renewi is a UK/European waste-to-product company focused on recycling and resource recovery. Its commercial recycling and organics processing activities overlap with Environment First's core offering.
- SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK: SUEZ provides commercial and municipal waste collection, recycling, and recovery services in the UK. It is a broad incumbent with comparable offerings to Environment First across cardboard, paper, plastics, and organics streams.
Direct peers
- Countrystyle Group: Countrystyle is a UK-based waste management and recycling company serving commercial clients in the South East of England. Its regional footprint and commercial recycling focus closely mirror Environment First's service area and customer base.
- Grundon Waste Management: Grundon is a major UK family-owned waste management and recycling company offering commercial waste collection, recycling, and skip hire. Its focus on commercial customers and breadth of services make it one of the closest direct peers to Environment First.
Others
- Andusia Recovered Fuels: Andusia specialises in the collection and export of organic/residual wastes for energy recovery. It is adjacent to Environment First's anaerobic digestion activity as a downstream offtake and energy-from-waste participant in the UK organics value chain.
Regional players
- Hills Waste Solutions: Hills Waste Solutions operates commercial and household waste collection and recycling services primarily in the South West of England. It is a regional peer providing comparable recycling and collection services outside Environment First's direct territory.
- Devon Contract Waste: Devon Contract Waste is a regional waste collection and recycling provider serving commercial customers in the South West UK. It is comparable to Environment First as a smaller, regionally focused commercial recycling operator.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Environment First social profiles
Digital presenceEnvironment First compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Environment First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Environment First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Environment First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Environment First 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 Environment First
What does Environment First do?
Environment First provides bespoke commercial recycling collection services for cardboard, paper, plastics, and organic waste streams across Kent and London. The company operates a one-stop shop waste management model supported by its own Anaerobic Digestion plant, which converts organic/food waste into biogas for power generation and biofertiliser for agricultural use. Additional offerings include baler/compactor equipment rental and sales, compliance reporting, and waste carrier documentation for regulatory audit trails.
Is Environment First a public or private company?
Environment First is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Environment First founded?
Environment First was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Environment First based?
Environment First is headquartered in Maidstone, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Environment First make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Recycling Collection Services are the primary driver. The others are material Rebates, equipment Rental and Sales and green Energy Production.
Who are Environment First's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Veolia UK, Biffa plc, FCC Environment (UK), Renewi plc and SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK. Direct peers are Countrystyle Group and Grundon Waste Management. Andusia Recovered Fuels is listed as an others. Regional players are Hills Waste Solutions and Devon Contract Waste.
Does Environment First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Environment First.
What industry is Environment First in?
Environment First's product category is Commercial Waste Management and Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAGAD, Industrial Packaging Waste Services (Pallets, Cardboard, Film, IBCs/Drums—Non-hazardous), with a secondary code of EUAIAGAA, Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous). Its NAICS code is 562111 and its SIC code is 4953.