Greenzone is thrilled to announce its participation in Recycle Week 2026, taking place from the 14th to 20^th September, as part of WRAP’s flagship Recycle Now campaign.

This year’s theme “Rescue Me! Recycle” brings everyday recyclable items to life, helping businesses and communities rethink what ends up in the bin.

What Is Recycle Week?

Recycle Week is a national celebration aimed at encouraging organisations across the UK to recycle more and recycle correctly. From retailers to local councils, everyone is invited to join in supporting the message: “Recycle more of the right things, more often.”

In 2026, the campaign expands with vibrant new characters including Trigger (spray bottle), Deo (aerosol), Fru (yoghurt pot), Spritz (perfume bottle), and Hube (toilet roll tube) which serve as fun, memorable reminders that these items can and should be recycled.

The campaign emphasises breaking down barriers like confusion around recycling. Through friendly, familiar characters, WRAP seeks to make recycling more intuitive and reduce “wish-cycling” (placing non-recyclables in hope of sorting later) and missed opportunities.

Greenzone is supporting Recycle Week in several exciting ways, from featuring the official Recycle Week guide complete with posters, social media templates, headers, and more available to download to running customer campaigns that use the fun “Rescue Me!” characters across social media and digital platforms to spotlight less obvious recyclables.

Why It Matters

• Clarity Over Confusion: Nearly half of businesses feel unsure about recycling rules. The campaign simplifies and clarifies – making it easier to recycle correctly.
• Every Item Counts: In a business setting small actions like recycling office supplies, packaging, or cleaning products add up significantly when multiplied across entire teams, sites, or estates.
• Community Pride & Involvement: Through localised campaigns and shared stories, recycling becomes a fun, collective effort with Greenzone’s support bringing national messages to life at the local level.

Join Greenzone in making Recycle Week 2026 a success! Save the dates in your diary, watch out for the “Rescue Me! Recycle” or better yet, rescue them from the bin!

Resources

Recycle Week Campaign Pack

Recycle Week Posters

Source: WRAP Website

Today is National E-Waste Day and First Mile is proud to share its dedication to making sustainable WEEE recycling and reuse the new normal for businesses across the UK.

The scale of the UK’s WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) problem is significant. According to data from Material Focus, total WEEE collections in the UK reached 496,000 tonnes in 2024, up only marginally from 493,000 tonnes in 2018 despite underlying growth in electronics placed on the market.

Each year, First Mile collect around 24 tonnes of WEEE, ranging from laptops and smartphones to fridges and fluorescent lamps. Customers can easily book collections via the portal, choosing from tailored options such as the 25kg WEEE Sack, WEEE Sticker for bulky items, or 40L Tote Box for mixed electronics requiring secure data wiping and certification.

Once collected, items are categorised into one of 14 WEEE types and directed to appropriate end destinations:

Reuse: Around 10–15% of WEEE is refurbished and resold, primarily IT and telecom equipment. Devices are data-wiped, reinstalled with fresh operating systems, and listed on First Mile’s eBay shop, which boasts 99% positive feedback from over 1,000 satisfied customers.

Raw material recovery: 15–20% of items, such as cables, chargers, and unrepairable electronics are sent to a supply chain partner where materials are recovered and a rebate is paid per kilogram.

Disposal: The remaining 70% is responsibly disposed of via partners like SWEEEP and Recolight, using advanced AI-powered sorting systems and industry leading technologies to safely dismantle the many hazardous components.

Special handling is provided for items such as fridges and gas lamps, which require manual dismantling and strict environmental controls. First Miles partnership with the Environmental Agency ensures full compliance with the latest regulations and contributes to continuous improvement in service quality.

Since 2023, First Mile has successfully reused over 3.5 tonnes of WEEE, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the waste management sector.

Janice Lack, Marketing Manager at Greenzone, commented: “The mission is to make recycling easy, safe, and impactful. First Mile combine industry expertise, technology, compliance and customer service to help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.”

By facilitating streamlined collections for business and applying best practices in reuse, data wiping, material recovery and safe disposal the goal is to lessen the impact of the growth in electronics waste helping the UK progress toward a circular economy for WEEE waste. For more information or to book a WEEE collection, visit www.firstmile.co.uk.

Sources: Materials focus, Gov.uk

With businesses across the UK facing increasing challenges in recent months, cyber security has become more critical than ever.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the risks to businesses from data breaches to costly downtime are at an all-time high.

At Greenzone, we understand the importance of protecting both our business and our customers from these risks. That’s why we are proud to hold ISO 27001 certification. The globally recognised standard for information security management. This accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining robust security systems.

“Recent times have been difficult for businesses of all sizes, and cyber security is often overlooked until it’s too late. At Greenzone, we make cyber security a priority every day. Holding ISO 27001 means our customers can have complete confidence that their data is handled with the highest level of care and protection.” said Matt Morris – Head of IT.

Cyber Security Awareness Month serves as a reminder for organisations to review their security practices, invest in staff awareness, and strengthen their resilience against threats. For Greenzone, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm that data protection and information security are embedded in everything we do.

By continuing to uphold the highest standards, Greenzone not only protects its operations but also helps build stronger, more secure partnerships with customers and suppliers alike.

Greenzone is thrilled to announce its participation in Recycle Week 2025, taking place from the 22^nd to 28^th September, as part of WRAP’s flagship Recycle Now campaign.

Imagine a plant so remarkable that it’s been shaping human life for over 4,000 years. From building homes and bridges to making musical instruments and even clothing, bamboo has been a constant companion in our journey — a symbol of resilience, prosperity, and harmony across cultures from China to India, Japan to Vietnam.

But bamboo’s story is more relevant than ever today, as we search for sustainable solutions to the plastic crisis.

The Fastest-Growing Green Giant

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. In the right conditions, some species can shoot up by an astonishing 91 cm (about 3 feet) in a single day! Most varieties are ready for harvest in just 3–7 years, compared to decades for trees.

With nearly 1,600 species worldwide, bamboo grows on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. Its robust root network not only prevents soil erosion but also thrives in polluted environments, helping to restore damaged land.

A Carbon-Capturing Powerhouse

Bamboo is a champion at fighting climate change. A single hectare (about 2.5 acres) of Bambusa tulda bamboo can absorb around 17,000 kilograms of CO₂ per year — enough to offset the annual emissions of three to four average passenger cars.Unlike trees, when bamboo is harvested, its roots stay alive and keep storing carbon, while new shoots quickly regenerate without replanting.

Bamboo vs. Plastic: A Sustainable Swap

Plastic pollution is overwhelming our planet, with millions of tonnes entering our oceans and landfills every year. Single-use plastics — straws, cutlery, cups, and packaging — are among the hardest to recycle and most damaging to the environment. Bamboo offers a natural, renewable alternative. It can replace many single-use plastics, is biodegradable, and requires far less energy and resources to produce than traditional materials. Bamboo products are strong, lightweight, and can be harvested every few years without harming the plant or the planet.

 

The Numbers Tell the Story

• Bamboo can grow up to 91 cm (3 feet) per day in optimal conditions
• A hectare of bamboo absorbs 17,000 kg of CO₂ per year — offsetting emissions from 3–4 cars
• Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than trees on a pound-for-pound basis
• It can be harvested every 3–5 years, compared to 30+ years for timber
• Bamboo yields up to 20 times more timber per hectare than trees
• Naturally pest-resistant, bamboo doesn’t need chemical pesticides and helps prevent soil erosion

A Future Rooted in Sustainability

Bamboo’s story is one of hope and innovation. As we look for ways to reduce plastic waste and restore our planet, bamboo stands tall — a symbol of what’s possible when we work with nature, not against it.

Now that Greenzone are part of the First Mile Group we are pleased to increase our service offering to support sustainable waste management across multi-tenanted sites.

We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar featuring First Mile’s unique waste tracking solution.RecycleID™ is an innovative technology designed for facility managers to power smarter, more sustainable waste management through transformative waste insights.

Join us at 10am on Thursday 25th September to find out why RecycleID™ is the market leading waste tracking solution that’s already live at Network Rail, Savills, Westfields and many more.

What you’ll discover in the webinar:

• How the RecycleID™ app, QR-coded sacks, and weighing platform work together to track waste volumes and contamination by tenant or area
• The power of “pay-as-you-throw” charging, based on actual usage helping you allocate costs more fairly
• How to boost recycling rates across your properties and identify hotspot areas of contamination for quick resolution
• How to unlock real-time reporting for digital waste tracking compliance and tenant reporting required for building accreditation such as SMART buildings

Spaces are limited so be sure to sign up to secure your spot: Click here

We hope to see you there!

The world of waste management is changing fast. Across the UK, new policies and regulations are reshaping how businesses deal with recycling and sustainability.

For Greenzone, a specialist in Total Waste Management, this shift isn’t just a challenge it’s a chance to double down on sustainability, compliance, and innovation.

What’s changing in waste & recycling?

Simpler Recycling in England
From the 31^st of March this year, businesses with 10 or more employees must separate key recyclables including glass, metal, paper, card, plastic, and food waste. Smaller businesses have a little longer (until March 2027). The aim? To bring consistency across sectors and boost recycling rates, which have stalled at around 44–45%.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Starting from October, new levies will mean retailers and online marketplaces must take financial responsibility for the packaging they put on the market. In short businesses will help pay for the end-of-life costs of packaging.

Scotland’s Circular Economy Act
Scotland is going further with its 2024 Circular Economy Act, which introduces fines for households that put banned items in recycling bins – things like disposable coffee cups and vapes.

How Greenzone is helping businesses stay ahead

• Flexible waste contracts: With coverage across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, Greenzone makes compliance easier with consolidated waste services (DMR, food, glass, WEEE, and more).
• Smart tech & insights: Our IT and AI-driven tools give businesses real-time data on waste generation – crucial when documentation and tracking are now part of the compliance process.
• Proven sustainability: In 2023, Greenzone recycled over 97% of the waste we handled, collecting 58,000 tonnes. Supporting progress towards a circular economy well ahead of incoming rules.

The challenges and opportunities

• Rising costs vs compliance pressure
  EPR fees, new fines, and potential incineration charges could hit margins, especially for smaller firms. But for Greenzone, this is an opportunity to offer added value through compliance services, audits, and consultancy.
• Customer education & engagement
  With new bans on mis-sorted items like ceramics, tissues, and cookware, Greenzone is stepping up with signage, audits, and personalised training to help businesses stay compliant and keep recycling rates high.
• Infrastructure needs
  More food waste collections, better sorting, and new recycling capacity (like plastic film) will be essential. Greenzone’s scale and partnerships make it well placed to bridge these gaps for clients.

Greenzone’s Marketing Manager, Janice Lack said: “These new rules aren’t just about ticking compliance boxes they’re a chance for businesses to rethink waste and put sustainability at the heart of their operations. We’re helping customers stay ahead with smart data, flexible solutions, and the confidence that they’re not just meeting regulations but making a real impact.”

The UK is entering a new chapter in waste management – one built on accountability, consistency, and financial responsibility. For Greenzone, these shifts don’t just reinforce the value of our Total Waste Management approach; they show why businesses need a partner who can simplify compliance, drive sustainability, and keep them prepared for what’s next.

Resources

Recycle Week Campaign Pack

Recycle Week Posters

If your business deals with hazardous waste, you’ll know there’s more to it than just safe disposal—there’s paperwork too. One of the key documents you need to keep track of is the Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (HWCN).

So, what is it—and how long should you keep it?

A HWCN is a legal record that follows hazardous waste from the moment it leaves your site to the point it’s safely treated or disposed of. It’s essential for compliance and traceability.

You need to keep each HWCN for at least three years from the date of collection.
This applies whether you’re the producer, carrier, or receiver of the waste.

Why does it matter?
Holding onto these records helps you stay compliant with environmental regulations and ensures you’re ready if the Environment Agency or Natural Resources Wales comes knocking. It also gives you a clearer picture of your waste streams, which can help improve your sustainability efforts.

What about non-hazardous waste?

For general waste, you’ll be using Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs)—and these need to be kept for at least two years.

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Top Tips for Staying on Track:

• ✅ Keep your records organised—whether that’s digitally or in a good old-fashioned folder.
• ✅ Double-check the details before filing to avoid errors.
• ✅ Consider switching to electronic notes for easier access and storage.

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Managing waste responsibly isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about protecting people, the planet, and your business. If you need help with waste documentation or disposal, we’re here to make it simple.
Visit here.

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has officially launched an inquiry into waste crime, beginning with an evidence session featuring key industry experts.

The inquiry is focused on tackling serious and organised waste crime — including illegal waste sites, fly-tipping, and landfill tax fraud — which pose significant environmental and economic risks. Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), described waste crime as a “£1 billion problem” that continues to escalate.

Cooke highlighted the wide-reaching impacts of waste crime, from lost revenue and clean-up costs to damage to local communities and the environment. He also warned that the scale of unknown waste crime is likely much greater than currently estimated, and that it undermines legitimate operators working towards net zero and circular economy goals.

Joining Cooke in the evidence session were Sam Corp, Head of Regulation at the Environmental Services Association (ESA), and Donald Macphail, Chief Operating Officer for Treatment and Hazardous Waste, UK, at Veolia. Together, they shared insights into the scale, consequences, and regulatory challenges surrounding waste crime.

The Committee aims to assess the effectiveness of current monitoring and enforcement regimes and explore the government’s plans to address the issue. Further evidence sessions with industry stakeholders are scheduled to continue next week, on 10 September.

You can read the full article on Circular Online here.

Source: Circular Online

LetsRecycle looks at the market for the month of August across the glass, metals, organics, plastics and textiles sectors.

Glass

The glass sector is under a lot of pressure at the moment, particularly due to cheaper imports from the EU flooding the UK market and the cheap production cost of virgin cullet. Prices have come down further this month amongst these challenging conditions. Bottle has seen less of a decrease than MRF glass due to slightly more favourable conditions. It is unlikely that this situation will change in the near future, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) likely to add further pressure. View our more detailed glass price index here.

Metals

The metals markets have remained relatively steady through August, with ferrous prices continuing their extended period of stability. Non-ferrous grades have generally seen a slight uplift, although batteries and stainless steel solids prices continue to dip. Zinc, lead and aluminium values have held firm. Within the cans market, aluminium has benefited from strong domestic demand, helping to provide some buoyancy over the course of the month.  By contrast, steel can demand remains weak – particularly domestically. Ongoing overcapacity in the sector continuing to weigh on prices. View our more detailed metal price index here.

Organics

The organics markets remain steady. View our more detailed organics price index here.

Plastics

The market has been quite quiet this month as is usual for August and prices have dropped slightly for some grades. This has been linked to an abundance of material in the market, particularly with regards to PET, for which demand typically falls at this time of year. This has also started to put downward pressure on mixed bottle prices. The situation has been compounded by seasonal factory shutdowns alongside a number of permanent recycling facility closures, including, as recently announced, Viridor’s Rochester facility. Plastics recycling in general is not being helped by the low virgin polymer price which is putting margins under pressure. The plastics PRN continues to provide price support and remains steady at around £150/t. View our more detailed paper price index here.

Textiles

The textiles sector continues to face challenging market conditions with poor quality material flooding the market, high collection and shipping costs, and low demand from export countries. One of our contacts said that the market “has never been as bad as it is at the moment”. Despite these conditions, the market did not see much change between July and August – with only HWRC textile banks and charity shop collections seeing a decrease. View our more detailed textiles price index here.

Source: Lets Recycle