Ian Farrell, editor of Circular magazine, unpacks the quiet recycling revolution underway across the UK.
The clatter of recycling trucks, the hum of sorting machines, the vast, often unseen, network of people dedicated to managing our discarded possessions – these are the familiar sounds and sights of the UK’s resources and waste industry.
Beyond this basic service, however, a quiet revolution is under way. Our industry is evolving, going beyond recycling and waste management and emerging as a powerful force for social good.
In 1970, Milton Friedman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, famously said: ‘The business of business is business’. He argued that a company’s only responsibility is to increase profits, and that social good can come about because of that.
This way of thinking informed Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President Ronald Reagan’s approach to economic policy, and coloured our way of life for a generation. But this wasn’t always the only way of doing business.
In the Victorian age, success in business was intrinsically bound up with philanthropy – the duty of a company was far more than simply maximising profits.
Fast forward to 2025, and the concept of social value is now firmly back in fashion, embedded in public policy thanks to legislation such as the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and the Procurement Act 2023.
These policies mandate that public sector procurement decisions consider broader human and social impacts, not just financial and environmental factors.
This shift has created a unique opportunity for the waste industry to demonstrate its vital contribution to society, moving beyond traditional metrics of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
To this end, CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) has funded research into the social value of reuse, which was carried out by the electronics refurbishment firm Tech-Takeback. The final report, written by Jodi Harford and Amelia Burrell, sets out the ways in which the resources and waste sector is making a difference.
The rise of reuse
Reuse is fast becoming a critical component of circular economics. Extending the lifespan of products by keeping them in circulation, before resorting to recycling or remanufacturing, offers a multitude of social benefits.
A 2023 report by Suez UK predicts that, by 2028, reuse organisations could manage more than 15 million items per year.
The research by CIWM/Tech-Takeback backs up this message: reuse is not just diverting waste from landfills: it’s creating jobs, fostering skills and providing access to essential goods. Their report highlights the tangible benefits of reuse.
Reduced bills for residents
By offering high-quality reused items at low prices, reuse organisations directly alleviate financial strain on households, particularly those struggling with the rising cost of living. This access to affordable goods enhances living standards and reduces economic inequality.
New jobs in the repair and reuse economy
The shift towards reuse is generating a wealth of new employment opportunities in repair, refurbishment and resale. These jobs can provide valuable skills training and pathways to long-term employment, contributing to local economic development.
Reducing unemployment
Reuse initiatives can play a crucial role in helping unemployed people get back into work. By providing access to essential items such as laptops, to prevent digital exclusion, these organisations empower individuals to participate fully in society and the economy.
Greater capture of rare earth metals
The disassembly of end-of-life products for reuse facilitates the recovery of valuable rare earth metals, reducing reliance on environmentally damaging mining practices and promoting resource security.
Carbon reduction
By extending the lifespan of products, reuse significantly reduces the need for new manufacturing, thereby mitigating carbon emissions and combating climate change.
How to win the argument
Despite these compelling social benefits, the reuse sector faces a key challenge: justifying the potentially higher costs associated with repair and refurbishment compared with traditional recycling.
This is where an emphasis on social value becomes critical. By quantifying and demonstrating the broader societal impacts of reuse, organisations can build a strong case for investment and support.
The CIWM/Tech-Takeback report emphasises that the resources and waste industry can directly contribute to the UK government’s ambition to make Britain a ‘clean energy superpower’.
By accelerating the transition to net zero, our industry is not only addressing environmental concerns, but also fostering a more equitable and resilient society.
Importantly, the social value of the resources and waste sector goes further than reuse: community recycling initiatives often serve as hubs for social interaction and education, raising awareness about environmental issues and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
Our sector also provides essential services that contribute to public health and safety. Effective waste-management systems prevent the spread of disease, maintain clean and hygienic environments, and protect vulnerable populations.
In addition, we play a critical role in emergency response, managing debris and hazardous materials in the aftermath of natural disasters or other crises.
Looking to the future
The growing emphasis on social value presents a transformative opportunity for the UK’s resources and waste industry. To fully realise this potential, the sector must embrace a holistic approach that integrates social considerations into all aspects of its operations. This includes:
Developing robust measurement frameworks: Standardised metrics and methodologies are needed to quantify the social impact of waste-management activities accurately.
Investing in skills and training: Equipping the workforce with the skills needed to support the growth of the reuse sector and other social-value initiatives.
Building partnerships with community organisations: Collaborating with local groups to identify and address social needs through waste-management services.
Promoting public awareness: Communicating the social value of the waste industry to the wider public, and fostering a culture of responsible consumption and waste reduction.
By embracing social value as a core principle, the UK’s waste industry can move beyond its traditional role and become a catalyst for positive change.
The sector has the potential to create a more sustainable, equitable and resilient society. The journey has begun, and the opportunity to build a better future, beyond the bin, is within reach.