Recycling Lives (environmental Services) Limited

What Recycling Lives (environmental Services) Limited does

Recycling Lives (Environmental Services) Limited, trading as Recycling Lives Services, is a UK-based private waste management and producer-responsibility compliance provider headquartered in Preston, Lancashire, operating under parent holding company RLS TopCo Ltd alongside the related Onward Lives (formerly Recycling Lives Charity) social welfare entity. Founded by Steve Jackson OBE (the trading entity traces to 2008 with charitable operations from the early 2000s), the company delivers total waste management, recycling, and compliance services across eight primary verticals: building and construction, facilities management, retail, hospitality and events, logistics, manufacturing and production, public sector, and utilities and infrastructure. Its commercial operation spans four owned sites — Recycling Lives Centre (Preston HQ), Gaskell House (Preston), Cox's Lane (Rowley Regis/Birmingham), and Isabella Road (Workington) — supplemented by a UK-wide partner logistics network enabling nationwide single-contract coverage.

The core commercial offering is Total Waste Management, bundling WEEE, batteries, packaging, hazardous waste, trade waste, skip hire, muck-away, site clearance, commodities recycling, and consultancy under a single supplier contract, with a bespoke online customer portal providing multi-site diversion data, carbon-impact reporting, and full audit trails from collection to disposal. Its compliance business operates regulated Producer Compliance Schemes for WEEE (notably the only UK WEEE PCS paired with an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility), batteries (the first UK scheme to issue chemistry-specific evidence, launched Q1 2025 with new kit at Workington), and packaging (supporting Extended Producer Responsibility obligations). Pricing is bespoke and not publicly disclosed, with enterprise field sales via dedicated account managers and WAMITAB-accredited consultants conducting on-site waste audits; site clearance services start from £60 as a transactional entry point.

Revenue is generated through a mix of transaction-fee service contracts, recurring compliance-scheme subscriptions, professional consultancy fees, and commodity rebates on recyclable streams. The commercial entity is operationally and financially intertwined with the prison rehabilitation programme — eight national prison academies and Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) placements that supply approximately 15% of the workforce — creating a distinctive social-value model that supports customer ESG and public-procurement scoring. Named enterprise customers include BT (15+ years), British Gas, Openreach, John Lewis Partnership, VINCI, Amey, Wates Construction, Morgan Sindall, SUEZ, Hisense, Midea, and Oregon Tools, alongside a tail of UK housing associations and public-sector clients. The business is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, holds SafeContractor, ICER, Cyber Essentials, and Social Enterprise UK credentials, and was recertified as a B Corporation in March 2026 with an Impact Score of 103.5.

Name

Recycling Lives (environmental Services) Limited

Legal name

Recycling Lives (Environmental Services) Limited

Website

https://recyclinglives-services.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Recycling Lives Services is a UK private waste management and producer-responsibility compliance provider offering total waste management, WEEE/battery/packaging compliance, and recycling services across eight verticals to enterprise clients, integrated with a prison rehabilitation programme supplying ~15% of its workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Waste Management & Compliance Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA), Universal Waste Management (Batteries, Lamps, Mercury-Containing) (BPALAHAL)

Keywords

• Commercial waste management
• WEEE compliance services
• Battery compliance scheme
• Packaging extended producer responsibility
• Total waste recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston Brook

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Total Waste Management Services: Comprehensive waste management services covering all commercial waste streams including WEEE, hazardous waste, trade waste, muck-away, skip hire, site clearance, and commodity recycling. Revenue generated through service fees based on waste volumes, collection frequencies, and service scope across single and multi-site contracts.
2. WEEE Compliance Services: Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS) services for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations. RLS is the only WEEE PCS partnered with an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF), enabling single-supplier compliance for public authorities and producers.
3. Battery Compliance Services: Battery producer compliance scheme generating chemistry-specific evidence for UK producers. First scheme to provide chemistry-specific treatment evidence, creating cost savings of up to 50% for some producers by matching evidence to battery types placed on the market.
4. Packaging Compliance Services: Compliance consultancy and evidence services for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations related to packaging. Supports producers in meeting recycled content requirements and packaging compliance obligations.
5. Waste Management Consultancy: Professional consultancy services including on-site waste audits, waste management plan development, compliance reviews, and implementation support. Delivered independently or as part of a managed total waste management solution. Site quality managers are WAMITAB accredited.
6. Commodity Rebates: Revenue generated through rebates on recyclable commodity streams including cardboard, plastic, metals, and scrap. Clients can earn rebates from waste streams processed through closed-loop recycling routes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Recycling Lives Services provides total commercial waste management for UK businesses, covering all waste streams under a single contract including WEEE, batteries, packaging, hazardous waste, trade waste, skip hire, muck-away, site clearance, and commodities recycling. It also operates Producer Compliance Schemes for WEEE, batteries, and packaging regulations, providing consultancy and chemistry-specific evidence that helps producers meet Extended Producer Responsibility obligations. Operations are delivered through four owned processing sites plus a national partner logistics network.

Product overview

Recycling Lives Services operates as a total waste management solutions provider offering a unified portfolio of environmental and compliance services. The core offering is Total Waste Management, which provides a single-supplier approach for businesses to consolidate all waste streams under one contract. This is complemented by specialized compliance services for WEEE, batteries, and packaging regulations. The service portfolio includes operational services (skip hire, muck away, trade waste, site clearances), specialist processing (hazardous waste disposal, fridge recycling, battery recycling, WEEE processing, commodities), and advisory services (waste management consultancy). A key differentiator is the integration of social impact through the Prison Academy Programme, which combines commercial waste operations with rehabilitation and employment opportunities for prisoners and ex-offenders. The company also provides a digital platform via its bespoke online customer portal for tracking waste journeys, diversion data, and carbon impact. All services are delivered through a network of UK processing sites, with compliance scheme offerings for producer responsibility obligations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Total Waste Management Comprehensive waste management solution covering all commercial waste streams including WEEE, batteries, packaging, hazardous waste, and general waste. Provides a single-supplier approach for businesses to manage waste across multiple sites with consolidated reporting and compliance.
• WEEE Compliance Services Compliance services for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations, helping businesses meet producer responsibility obligations. RLS is the only WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS) partnered with an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF), providing both collection and treatment services from one supplier.
• Battery Compliance Services Compliance scheme for Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations offering chemistry-specific evidence for producers. RLS was the first UK compliance scheme to provide chemistry-specific evidence matching obligations to battery types placed on the market, delivering up to 50% producer cost savings.
• Packaging Compliance Services Compliance services for packaging regulations, helping producers meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations. Includes consultancy on packaging waste reduction and recycled content requirements.
• Waste Management Consultancy Professional waste management consulting including on-site assessments, waste audits, segregation and storage reviews, Duty of Care documentation checks, and actionable recommendations for compliance and cost reduction. Consultants are WAMITAB accredited.
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Licensed collection, packaging, transport, and compliant disposal of hazardous waste including chemicals, solvents, oils, asbestos, paints, and clinical waste. Fully licensed by the Environment Agency with complete documentation and consignment notes.
• Fridge Recycling Specialist fridge and refrigeration equipment recycling services ensuring safe removal of refrigerants and responsible disposal of materials.
• Battery Recycling Services Collection and recycling of all battery types including portable, industrial, and automotive batteries. Features fire-safe handling procedures and chemistry-specific sorting at the Workington facility with new equipment worth over £100,000.
• Electronic Waste (WEEE) Processing WEEE-compliant collection, recycling, and disposal services for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment including large household appliances and IT equipment. Includes data destruction and certified disposal with full audit trails.
• Site Clearance Services National site clearance services including void property clearances, removal of structures, vegetation, rubble, hazardous materials, fly-tipped waste, and excavations. Services range from 1 yard to 18 yards with vehicles up to 4 tonnes capacity. Prices start from £60.
• Commercial Skip Hire Commercial skip and RORO (Roll-on Roll-off) container hire available nationwide in all sizes. Includes online request process and same-day wait-and-load services ideal for city-centre sites.
• Muck Away / Commercial Grab Hire Removal of bulk waste material including soil and excavation waste from site clearances. Plant hire includes tippers and grabs from 4 to 8 wheel vehicles. Features fully compliant material testing with comprehensive contaminant feedback.
• Trade Waste Disposal Comprehensive trade waste collection and wheelie bin hire service including sizes from 120L to 1100L Euro bins, Front End Loaders, and Rear End Loaders. Covers food waste, glass, mixed recycling, and mixed municipal waste with scheduled contracts and monthly reporting.
• Commodities Recycling Recycling of waste streams including cardboard, plastic, metals, and PPE with opportunities for businesses to earn rebates. Features closed-loop recycling that reworks materials into new packaging or products.
• Bespoke Online Customer Portal Industry-leading online portal providing advanced reporting capabilities that tracks the complete waste management journey from collection to disposal. Includes multi-layered diversion data, carbon impact reports, and real-time visibility across all sites.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% diversion from landfill across all waste operations
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, notable and supporting.

• Onward Lives (Recycling Lives Charity)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Onward Lives (formerly Recycling Lives Charity UK) is the core social partner of Recycling Lives Services, operating since 2008. The charity delivers rehabilitation, housing, and employability support before, during, and after custody, while RLS provides the commercial infrastructure, contracts, and logistics connecting those efforts to real business outcomes. RLS's commercial contracts generate profits that fund the charity's wider rehabilitation work, creating a unique model where commercial performance directly fuels social outcomes. Partnership covers offender rehabilitation (HMP Academies and ROTL programme), homelessness support (co-housed at RLS head office), and food poverty (FareShare partnership).
• HMP KirkhamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHMP Kirkham prison workshop established in 2011 as the first prison-based workshop as part of the Recycling Lives prison academies programme. Prisoners gain skills, earn wages, and build savings through work on waste contracts. This partnership represents the origin of the RLS rehabilitation model and continues as part of six active prison workshops.
• HMP HaveriggcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHMP Haverigg prison near Workington provides ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence) work placements at the Workington battery processing site. Prisoners nearing the end of their sentence work in battery sorting and processing operations, gaining skills and employment ahead of release.
• FareSharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecycling Lives supports Onward Lives' partnership with FareShare which helps feed communities across Lancashire and Cumbria, reducing food waste and diverting it to those in vulnerable communities. The initiative delivers over 3 million meals annually, helping charitable groups feed up to 20,000 people every week.
• Renew Hub (SUEZ/GMCA)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SUEZ and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to set up the Renew Hub, delivering reuse on an industrial scale. The Renew Hub is staffed by people including those from disadvantaged groups. This project demonstrates how RLS's social value model can be embedded within major infrastructure contracts.
• HWRCs (Household Waste Recycling Centres)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Household Waste Recycling Centres across the UK as part of the battery compliance scheme collection network. RLS sources chemistry-specific battery evidence from local authority collections to match the battery types placed on the market by its producer clients.
• AATFs (Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATFs) and ATOs (Approved Treatment Operators) supporting the battery and WEEE compliance schemes. RLS operates its own registered ABTO at Workington and partners with others to ensure compliant treatment and processing of batteries and electrical equipment.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Valpak: Valpak is one of the largest UK packaging and WEEE compliance scheme operators. It directly competes with RLS's packaging compliance and WEEE PCS offerings and serves similar producer clients.
• ERP UK: ERP UK operates WEEE, battery, and packaging compliance schemes for producers. It competes head-to-head with RLS's chemistry-specific battery scheme and WEEE PCS in the producer compliance market.
• Reconomy: Reconomy is a UK-focused total waste management provider serving construction, infrastructure, and facilities management clients with multi-site contracts. It is the closest direct competitor in business model and customer base to RLS.
• Compliance Services Group (CSG): CSG is a UK waste management and compliance services group with commercial collection, recycling, and producer responsibility scheme operations. It is a direct competitor across RLS's core waste management and compliance service lines.
• Ecosurety: Ecosurety is a UK compliance scheme provider for packaging, WEEE, and batteries, with growing recycling operations. It is a direct competitor across RLS's compliance scheme portfolio and increasingly in physical recycling.

Broad incumbents

• FCC Environment UK: FCC Environment is a major UK waste management operator with municipal, commercial, and recycling capabilities. It is a broad incumbent competitor to RLS's total waste management offering for enterprise and public-sector clients.
• Biffa plc: Biffa is a UK-listed national waste management company offering commercial collection, recycling, and skip hire. It is a direct competitor in commercial and trade waste segments and serves many of the same enterprise and public-sector customers RLS targets, though at materially greater scale.
• SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK: SUEZ provides commercial waste collection, recycling, and compliance services across the UK. RLS already partners with SUEZ/GMCA on the Renew Hub, and SUEZ competes with RLS across municipal, commercial, and hazardous waste streams.
• Veolia UK: Veolia operates one of the UK's largest commercial and hazardous waste management networks. Its UK business overlaps directly with RLS across total waste management, hazardous waste, and recycling services for enterprise and public-sector clients.

Emerging players

• Recolight: Recolight is a UK WEEE compliance scheme focused on lighting equipment. It competes with RLS's WEEE PCS in the producer compliance market and represents a focused emerging competitor in the WEEE segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recycling-lives-services

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Recycling Lives (environmental Services) Limited