News updates written by CIWM’s commercial partners.
| Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) | Biggest ever washed aggregates meeting hears about potential resource framework |
| Bucher Municipal | Bucher Municipal introduces patented steering system for the CityCat VR50 |
| Valpak | Packaging specialists join forces to create PackReady |
| Plan B | It’s okay to talk: Andy’s Man Club |
| CONTENUR UK | CONTENUR UK strengthens manufacturing capacity while advancing circular production |
| EPIC Media Group | EPIC Media Group Ltd Opens New Warwick Unit as First Vehicle Arrives Following Open Day |
| Probe Industries | Probe Industries brings innovations in odour and dust control to WR Expo 2026 |
| Contel | Matt Horwell joins Contel as Head of Sales |
| Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques look forward to returning to the RWM to network and highlight the importance of road safety |
| Beyondly | Beyondly is celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026, marking 20 years of going beyond compliance |
| Augean | Augean launch their first habitat bank delivering fully compliant, high-quality Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) |
| FCC Environment | FCC Environment bringing popular reuse pop-up shop to Bucks County Show |
| Greyparrot | Greyparrot raises $27M Series B as AI waste intelligence reaches one trillion detections |
| Norse Group | Calderdale Council and Norse Group launch new partnership to deliver waste and recycling services |
| Rubbermaid | Time to rethink air care – Introducing CirculAir 90™ |
WATA | Biggest ever washed aggregates meeting hears about potential resource framework
The Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) has held it biggest ever members’ meeting, welcoming almost 80 people to its summer event.
The trade body, which is less than two years old, held the meeting in Bromsgrove, West Midlands. Delegates heard from sector experts who gave updates on the latest regulatory and technical issues affecting washed aggregates.
Andy Hill, CEO of WATA, said: “We a still a relatively young trade association, so to see that many people in the room was incredible and shows just how much the sector wanted and needed a trade body to represent it.”
“We are gaining new members each month as word about our work spreads, and we are very much looking forward to a bright and productive future representing and raising awareness of washed aggregates in the UK.”
One of WATA’s main aims is to raise standards across the sector. To work towards this it has begun a project to develop a Resource Framework specifically for washed aggregates. It’s already in discussions with the Environment Agency as to how this would work in England, and is keen to work with other regulators as well.
Andy continued: “The ultimate aim is to prove that there are legitimate end uses for fine aggregate material (FAM) which is a by-product of washing aggregates.”
“We will obviously need to follow a process to do this which will involve stringent monitoring and testing of materials on sites. We are currently talking with the EA and our members about how this can be achieved. It’s a very exciting time for washed aggregates in the UK.”
Bucher Municipal | Bucher Municipal introduces patented steering system for the CityCat VR50
New fail-safe technology delivers enhanced safety, manoeuvrability and operator comfort.
Bucher Municipal has introduced a patented double steering system for the 80 km/h version of the CityCat VR50 compact sweeper. The system is designed to deliver enhanced safety, reduced driver fatigue and improved manoeuvrability for operators working in demanding urban environments.
Developed with operator comfort and operational reliability in mind, the new fail-safe steering system is now fitted as standard on the Bucher CityCat VR50 80 km/h model.
The system has been engineered to provide smooth, low-effort steering while maintaining the compact manoeuvrability expected from a modern compact sweeper. Using a purely hydraulic transmission of force between the steering wheel and steering axle, the design removes the need for mechanical steering linkages, creating a more responsive and comfortable driving experience for operators.
One of the key advantages of the system is its passive fail-safe design. Unlike conventional steering systems that rely heavily on electronics or mechanical connections, the patented Bucher Municipal system remains fully steerable even in the event of a serious malfunction, such as a burst hydraulic hose. Visual and audible alerts immediately notify the operator, allowing the machine to be safely manoeuvred away from potential hazards.
The compact design of the steering system allows it to be integrated into narrow vehicles without compromising steering angle or turning circle, helping preserve the exceptional manoeuvrability required for busy urban environments, confined access routes and city centre operations.
For operators, the reduced steering effort helps minimise fatigue over longer shifts while improving overall driving comfort and control. Steering effort has also been matched to the 50 km/h version of the CityCat VR50, creating a more familiar and consistent driving experience across the range.
The CityCat VR50 is already recognised for combining compact dimensions with high-speed mobility between working locations. The addition of the patented steering system further enhances the machine’s capability for municipal fleets and contractors operating across both urban streets and larger road networks.
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Technical advantages of the system include:
Operator benefits include:
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The patented steering system is homologated in accordance with N2 regulations and represents another step forward in Bucher Municipal’s continued focus on operator safety, comfort and vehicle innovation.
For more information about the Bucher CityCat VR50 range, visit Bucher Municipal UK.
Valpak | Packaging specialists join forces to create PackReady
Compliance specialist Valpak by Reconomy and innovation expert ThePackHub have teamed up to launch PackReady – a new service that provides advice on current and upcoming legislation, innovative design changes and data-driven solutions.
The partnership combines regulatory expertise and data-led evidence with pioneering design, to help brands meet their compliance, commercial and environmental goals.
Valpak Consultant Shannon Moxham described the launch as the missing link for future-focused brands. She said: “We are very excited to announce the collaboration with ThePackHub. As new regulations such as pEPR and PPWR come into force around the globe, brands are looking to optimise packaging. Some want to explore cutting-edge trends or materials, others are looking to assess ideas for recyclability, carbon footprint or regulatory readiness. However, change is not always straightforward, and switching materials can lead to unintended consequences. PackReady provides reassurance through a 360° assessment of both opportunities and impacts.”
Katie Roselaar, Innovation Director, ThePackHub said: “At ThePackHub, we research, design, investigate and refine packaging solutions that help businesses navigate an increasingly complex packaging landscape. Alongside this, Valpak’s deep expertise in environmental legislation and producer responsibility has made it a trusted partner for businesses facing evolving regulatory requirements.”
“PackReady brings together the very best of both organisations. Together, we can help businesses identify areas within their packaging portfolios that may be suboptimal – whether from an innovation, sustainability, performance, or compliance perspective – and provide clear pathways to optimise them. By combining innovation insight with regulatory expertise, PackReady gives clients the confidence to make smarter packaging decisions that are both future-ready and compliant.”
Valpak already offers a packaging technologist service as part of its Consultancy team, along with data insight tools that allow brands to analyse packaging data. It works with brands to:
- Identify viable, compliant materials
- Avoid greenwashing pitfalls
- Explore creative innovation opportunities
- Navigate emerging packaging legislation
- Measure environmental impact through carbon footprinting and life cycle assessments
- Benchmark performance against best-in-class packaging
Meanwhile, ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone taps into thousands of real-world packaging formats, from refillables to lightweight designs, to extract trends and uncover proven ideas, best practice examples, and case studies that align with sustainability goals and regulatory demands. The Patent Zone tracks emerging technologies and materials, giving early insight into innovations and emerging patterns.
Plan B | It’s okay to talk: Andy’s Man Club
Plan B Management Solutions couldn’t deliver services without the skill and dedication of our team, and we genuinely care about our people, which is why we jumped at the chance of a visit from Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity.
The stats are stark: suicide is the biggest killers of men under 54 years equating to the loss of one man every two hours. Andy’s Man Club offers free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and aims to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health by encouraging conversation.
The date for our toolbox talk was scheduled to coincide with Men’s Mental Health Week 2026, and leaflets and wristbands were available in the crew deployment office at the Tondu depot to create awareness of the event.
Andy Barton, Area Lead for Andy’s Man Club, led a series of toolbox talks at our Bridgend depot. The sessions proved popular with 76 staff from our waste and recycling collection crews, community recycling centres, and vehicle technicians team attending across eight sessions.
“Having experienced depression myself in 2022, I feel privileged to speak to the Bridgend workforce,” Andy said. “If just one person from today attends one of our meetings, I can be proud to have made that difference. If anyone is thinking of attending an Andy’s Man Club, my advice would be to take the plunge and go for it,” he added.
This isn’t a one-off event for us, we’re keen to continue promoting the charity and will provide leaflets and wristbands in the depot as well as putting Andy’s Man Club business cards in the cabs of our vehicles. “It’s great to partner with Andy’s Man Club. Encouraging men to talk is so important in our male dominated industry,” says Gareth Barnes, Business Manager at Bridgend for Plan B Management Solutions.
Andy’s Man Club meetings take place every Monday at 7pm, and the only rule is, “It’s okay to talk.” There are around 350 groups to choose from, 6,500+ weekly attendees and 3,500+ volunteers.
CONTENUR UK | UK strengthens manufacturing capacity while advancing circular production
CONTENUR UK has announced continued progress at its UK manufacturing facility, where recent investment in production equipment is driving higher manufacturing capacity and supporting growing customer demand.
The enhanced production capabilities have enabled the site to increase output and deliver record commercial performance, reinforcing CONTENUR UK’s position as a leading supplier of waste and recycling containers.
Alongside these operational achievements, the company continues to place circularity at the heart of its manufacturing strategy. A significant proportion of the material processed at the UK factory is derived from End-of-Life recycled plastic, demonstrating how high-performance manufacturing and sustainable resource management can successfully go hand in hand.
The latest results highlight CONTENUR UK’s ongoing commitment to investing in innovation, strengthening UK manufacturing, and delivering more sustainable solutions for the waste and recycling sector.
EPIC Media Group | EPIC Media Group Ltd opens new Warwick unit as first vehicle arrives following open day
EPIC Media Group has officially opened its new Warwick unit following an Open Day on 2nd July 2026, welcoming customers, suppliers and local contacts to the company’s new operational base at Unit 15, Hurlbutt Road.
The Open Day gave visitors the opportunity to meet the EPIC team, tour the new premises and learn more about the company’s work across vehicle graphics, fleet branding, wraps and changeable graphics systems.
The new unit, located at Unit 15, Hurlbutt Road, Warwick, CV34 6TB, provides EPIC with a strategically placed Midlands base, supporting customers across the region and beyond. With strong access to key transport routes, the Warwick site gives the team a practical and professional space to improve operational efficiency, support future growth and deliver a more responsive service to customers.
The premises have been carefully prepared over recent months. Less than a week after the Open Day, EPIC welcomed its first vehicle into the unit on 8th July, marking the official start of operations from the new site.
Nicola “Nic” Welfare, General Manager at EPIC Media Group Ltd, said: “Welcoming visitors to our Open Day was a fantastic moment for the team. A lot of work has gone into preparing the new unit, so it was brilliant to see the space come to life and then welcome our first vehicle in just a few days later.”
“This new base gives us the space and flexibility to continue supporting our customers with high-quality vehicle graphics, fleet branding and changeable graphics solutions.”
Kevin Murton, Senior Business Advisor at EPIC Media Group Ltd, commented: “It has been wonderful to see EPIC continue to grow and reach this important milestone. The new unit reflects how far the business has come and gives the team a strong foundation for the next stage of its journey.”
James Hopkins, Operating Partner at EPIC Media Group Ltd, added: “The Warwick unit is a practical, well-positioned space that will support both day-to-day operations and future development. It gives the team a stronger operational base and helps us continue delivering the level of service our customers expect.”
Hadrien Salin, Executive Chairman at EPIC Media Group Ltd, said: “This is an important investment in the future of EPIC. The Midlands location is strategically placed, giving us a stronger base from which to support customers across the region and beyond.”
EPIC Media Group Ltd would like to thank everyone who attended the Open Day and supported the business as it takes this next step.
The team is now settling into the Warwick unit and looks forward to welcoming customers by appointment.
Probe Industries | Probe Industries brings innovations in odour and dust control to WR Expo 2026
Probe Industries is bringing its leading industrial odour and dust control technology to the Waste & Recycling (WR) Expo, Fort Lauderdale, FL in August 2026.
Following the 2026 launch of its industry-first combination of non-toxic odour neutraliser with mood-boosting fragrance design, AiroVive™, Probe Industries’ technology actively transforms air quality at industrial manufacturing, waste processing, recycling and treatment sites to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.
At the WR Expo 2026, Probe Industries’ CEO Victoria Taylor and Scientific Lead Dr. Sam Whitehouse will present how the company’s innovative clean-air solutions are driving greater operational productivity and workplace performance. Their talk on ‘Beyond ventilation: how neuroscience and nature-inspired air quality solutions are transforming worker wellbeing in waste facilities’, showcases the technology in real-world applications.
Victoria Taylor commented: “Poor air quality is linked with headaches, tiredness, stress and other health-related symptoms. In the UK alone, waste and recycling sectors record significantly higher sickness absence than the UK average, at 12.3 days compared to 6.4 days per year.”
“With operators under mounting pressure to improve air quality and control emissions, our approach offers the waste management and recycling sectors a proven reliable, economic and sustainable solution to maintaining site productivity.”
“We are excited to present our new technology to the US market at WR Expo, to support its goals of setting the gold standard throughout waste and recycling management.”
AiroVive is based on Probe Industries’ leading AiroPure® odour neutralisation technology, an odour elimination solution that works at molecular level to capture and destroy harmful compounds such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and ammonia and amines at source. AiroVive adds a mood-enhancing fragrance to boost wellbeing, meet environmental responsibility targets, and improve site productivity.
The technology can integrate directly into existing misting, direct spray and liquid injection operations for flexible deployment across a wide range of applications, including transfer stations, landfill sites, recycling facilities, water processing, healthcare cleaning, sanitation, and hospitality operations.
Join the talk by Probe Industries at WR Expo 2026 at 4:30pm, August 12th, in Room 203 in the main Exhibit Hall.
AiroVive is the latest extension of Probe Industries’ world-class portfolio of patented systems which help make industrial environments cleaner, safer and more sustainable in compliance with ISO 14001. Market leading solutions include AiroNaut™, ProFog™, ProActive™, ProDry™ and ProRain™, which offer targeted odour removal, dust suppression and misting applications. Learn more about Probe Industries.
Contel | Matt Horwell joins Contel as Head of Sales
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Horwell as Head of Sales, further strengthening the company’s position as a trusted technology partner to local authorities and waste management operators across the UK.
Matt joins Contel at a significant stage in the company’s growth journey, bringing almost 20 years of experience within the waste and municipal vehicle sector. As Head of Sales, Matt will be responsible for building and leading Contel’s own national sales team as the company continues to expand its presence across the UK.
Matt has spent the majority of his career with Dennis Eagle UK, where he worked closely with local authorities and waste contractors.
His appointment comes as Contel continues to experience unprecedented growth, driven by increasing demand for its connected vehicle technology, AI-powered camera solutions, telematics, safety systems and data-led fleet management services.
Matt’s extensive knowledge of waste collection operations, fleet dependency and local authority procurement processes will further enhance Contel’s ability to support customers throughout the lifecycle of their vehicle and technology investments.
Commenting on his appointment, Matt Horwell said: “Having spent many years working closely with local authorities and waste operators, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges organisations face when balancing safety, compliance, operational efficiency and budget pressures. Contel has built an impressive reputation for delivering exceptional after sales service support, which has been lacking from other suppliers in our sector. Joining the business at such an exciting time of growth was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore, and I’m looking forward to supporting both existing and new customers across the sector.”
Co-CEO of Contel, Andrew Kelly, welcomed Matt to the team: “Matt brings a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and customer insight to Contel. His understanding of local authority procurement, operational waste management and vehicle dependency is second to none. As we continue to grow and expand our solutions portfolio, Matt’s expertise will help us strengthen relationships across the sector and ensure we continue delivering technology that addresses real-world operational challenges.”
Over the past 12 months, Contel has continued to invest heavily in its people, technology and service capabilities. The company has expanded its workforce, significantly grown its engineering team and accelerated the development of its AI-powered connected solutions, supporting customers across waste management, highways, transport and municipal services.
Matt’s appointment reflects Contel’s ongoing commitment to investing in experienced industry professionals who understand the challenges facing fleet operators and can help organisations unlock greater value from technology.
Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques look forward to returning to the RWM to network and highlight the importance of road safety
Commercial vehicle safety and security specialists, Vision Techniques, are looking forward to returning to this years Resource and Waste Management Expo (RWM) and Environmental Services and Solutions Expo (ESS).
The long established company will return to the NEC in Birmingham from September 16-17 and look forward to engaging with both new and existing customers while showcasing their latest innovations in vehicle safety and security and hinting at exciting things potentially coming in the future.
Vision Techniques will be at stand CT-J360 in Hall 17 and will have lots of free goodies, product demonstrations and an exciting competition for you to all take part in.
The sales team will also be on hand to discuss and show you their extensive product range including cameras, vulnerable road user safety systems, security systems, their telematics platform VT Connect and more.
Managing Director Dave Smith said: “We are really looking forward to returning to the RWM this year to network and reconnect with many of our customers, both new and existing.
“It will be a great opportunity to see what other amazing companies are doing and to explore all the new innovations coming to the industry.
“We hope you have the best time if you are attending, make sure to pop to our stand as we have an exciting new game to take part in for a chance to win a brilliant prize.
“See you all there!”
Vision Techniques is one of the UK’s premier suppliers of commercial vehicle safety and security equipment with a track record of over thirty years in the industry.
They are the innovative driving force in vehicle safety and security systems supplying across a wide range of industries including construction, waste management, quarrying and mining, agriculture and blue light.
Vision Techniques solutions include on-board vehicle cameras, collision avoidance systems, cyclist safety, automatic braking systems and a range of warning alarms.
Specified by some of the largest fleets in the UK, Vision Techniques’ products are influencing and changing safety standards across industries daily.
To find out more about Vision Techniques’ products go to: www.vision-techniques.com.
Beyondly | Beyondly is celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026, marking 20 years of going beyond compliance
On 7 July at the Palace of Westminster, Beyondly joined Net Zero Week and Wera Hobhouse MP to co-sponsor the Net Zero Beyond Borders parliamentary drinks reception.
Bringing together policymakers, businesses and environmental leaders, the event explored why climate change cannot be addressed through national action alone. Discussions focused on the need for greater international cooperation and policy alignment, recognising that supply chains, emissions, waste and environmental impacts cross borders. Speakers included Wera Hobhouse MP, Beyondly’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs Alex Hilton, and an additional virtual talk from former NASA astronaut Ron Garan, who offered a unique orbital perspective on the need for collective action.
The following day, Beyondly welcomed customers and stakeholders to The Savile Club in London to celebrate two decades of helping organisations go beyond compliance. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the environmental progress made since the company was founded in 2006 (as Comply Direct), while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the future.
Keynote speakers included Chris Hines MBE, highly regarded British environmental campaigner, speaker and writer and Josh Pitman, Managing Director of Priory Direct, sustainable packaging supplier. They shared insights into climate advocacy, Extended Producer Responsibility and sustainable packaging, including how environmental investment can also support commercial growth. Wider discussions covered the complexity of PPWR and international compliance, the importance of reliable data, and the need to embed sustainability across every business department while retaining specialist expertise.
To round off the day’s events, attendees made their way back to the drawing room for a champagne toast. Together they raised a glass to Beyondly, 20 years of compliance and environmental action, and the commitment to continue making the world a fairer and more sustainable place for all.
Together, these events reflected Beyondly’s journey over the past 20 years and its ambitions for the future. From championing international collaboration at Westminster to sharing practical compliance and sustainability experiences with customers and stakeholders, both occasions reinforced the value of partnership, knowledge-sharing and coordinated action in delivering meaningful environmental change.
Augean | Augean launch their first habitat bank delivering fully compliant, high-quality Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Augean have launched their first habitat bank delivering fully compliant, high-quality Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units that support sustainable land use and responsible environmental management.
All units are created, managed, and monitored in accordance with the sites habitat management and maintenance plan, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable environmental outcomes.
Located within the Rockingham Forest landscape character area, our scheme enables effective off-site BNG delivery across Peterborough, Cambridge, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
Why Choose Us?
Our approach reflects best practice in environmental governance and long-term stewardship:
- Full compliance with statutory BNG requirements
- Secure 30-year habitat management and monitoring commitments
- Registered with Natural England
- Transparent pricing and clear unit availability
- Efficient, low-risk pathway to planning approval
- Suitable for residential, commercial, and infrastructure developments
BNG units play a vital role in embedding environmental net gain into development, complementing broader objectives around resource efficiency, natural capital enhancement, and sustainable growth—key concerns for professionals across the waste and resource management industry.
What’s Included in Every Purchase:
- Baseline and post-intervention biodiversity metric calculations
- Legal agreement (Section 106)
- 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan
- Comprehensive evidence pack for planning submissions
- Ongoing annual monitoring reports, as required
This offering supports not only compliance but also the transition toward a more regenerative, circular approach to land and resource management, helping organisations demonstrate environmental responsibility while contributing to long-term ecological resilience.
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Habitat Type |
Condition |
Units |
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Habitat Type |
Condition |
Units |
|
Other Neutral Grassland |
Moderate |
102 |
Broadleaved Woodland |
Moderate |
55 |
|
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Lowland Calcareous Grassland |
Moderate |
26 |
Open Mosaic |
Good |
12 |
|
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Mixed Scrub |
Moderate |
33 |
Flexible Category |
|
2 |
FCC Environment | FCC Environment bringing popular reuse pop-up shop to Bucks County Show
Visitors to Bucks County show on 27 August will have the chance to pick up a bargain, discover something unexpected and give pre-loved items a new home when FCC Environment brings its popular reuse pop-up shop to the event.
Packed with quality items that deserve a second chance, the pop-up shop will feature everything from bikes and musical instruments to wicker baskets, tools and garden furniture. Whether you’re hunting for a hidden gem, looking to save money or simply love the thrill of finding something unique, there will be plenty to browse.
The idea of buying “new-to-me” items is becoming increasingly popular as more people look for affordable ways to shop while helping to reduce waste.
Tracy Elrington, Waste Awareness, Communications and Education Manager at FCC Environment, said: “There’s something really rewarding about finding exactly what you need while knowing you’re giving it a second life.”
“Our reuse pop-up shops are always popular because they’re a fantastic way to save money, uncover some great finds and stop perfectly good items from going to waste. We’re looking forward to bringing that experience to Bucks County Show and seeing what treasures people take home.”
For visitors keen to take their eco-friendly living a step further, there will also be a live wormery demonstration showing how kitchen scraps can be transformed into a nutrient-rich liquid feed for houseplants and gardens.
FCC Environment manages the 10 Household Recycling Centres (HRC) across Buckinghamshire, Residents can donate items for reuse (from furniture to antiques) at all 10 sites, with the majority being sent to the second-hand reuse shop at Aston Clinton HRC. The pop-up shop forms part of ongoing efforts to encourage reuse, reduce waste and make it easier for local residents to embrace more sustainable habits in everyday life.
Greyparrot | Greyparrot raises $27M Series B as AI waste intelligence reaches one trillion detections
Greyparrot has raised $27 million in Series B funding, led by technology investor Omar Mir.
The investment follows a significant milestone for the company’s AI, which has now identified more than one trillion waste objects across recycling facilities in more than 20 countries. With the new funding, Greyparrot aims to scale its waste intelligence platform to help abate over one million tonnes of waste by 2030.
The funding comes as the waste and packaging sectors face growing pressure to improve recovery rates, demonstrate compliance and provide more reliable data on material flows. Waste management companies including Veolia, Biffa and FCC Environment use Greyparrot’s AI camera systems – known as Analyzers – to gain continuous visibility into material composition and movement through their facilities, replacing occasional manual sampling with shift-by-shift data.
Proven outcomes across UK facilities
Facilities using Greyparrot’s real-time data have reported efficiency gains of between 10% and 30%, with one site saving more than £1.5 million in a single year. In a UK first, the Environment Agency accepted Greyparrot AI-derived waste composition data for statutory compliance reporting in Q1 2026, in submissions from Biffa and FCC Environment – a development that validates AI analytics as a viable replacement for manual sampling under EA’s MF Regulations.
Across Greyparrot’s global network, the materials identified by its Analyzers represent an estimated £1.87 billion in recoverable value – including 17.4 billion PET bottles and 4.2 billion aluminium items.
“Waste is one of the planet’s largest untapped resources, and data is the infrastructure that unlocks it. This funding lets us scale rapidly across North America and Europe and grow our AI, data science and product teams. The technology, market demand, urgency and momentum are all here, and we are ready to scale our impact.”
– Mikela Druckman, co-founder and CEO, Greyparrot
Making secondary materials measurable and investable
Less than 0.1% of the world’s estimated 2.3 billion tonnes of annual solid waste is currently audited, leaving operators, brands and policymakers with limited visibility into where valuable materials are being lost. Resource shortages are among the most severe economic threats of the coming decade, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 – yet markets cannot invest in what they cannot measure.
Greyparrot’s waste intelligence platform builds the data layer that allows secondary materials to be priced and backed as assets. The Series B will fund expansion across North America and Europe, alongside growth in AI, data science and product development.
“Waste intelligence will do for materials what satellite data did for navigation. For decades, waste has been a blind spot. Nations compete for resources while burying and burning existing resources. What’s been missing is the ability to measure what they’re losing. Once you can measure a material, you can trade it and invest in it. That is when the circular economy stops being an ambition and becomes infrastructure.”
— Ambarish Mitra, co-founder, Greyparrot
Read the full announcement on Greyparrot’s website: https://www.greyparrot.ai/news.
Calderdale Council and Norse Group launch new partnership to deliver waste and recycling services
Calderdale Council and Norse Group have agreed a new long-term partnership to deliver waste and recycling services across the borough, forming Calderdale Norse, a jointly owned Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) due to go live on 1 August 2026.
Calderdale Norse brings together Calderdale Council’s established local service with Norse Group’s experience in delivering frontline environmental services at scale.
Operating under an initial eight-year term, the partnership will deliver household waste and recycling collections to around 95,000 households across the borough, alongside the management of Household Waste Recycling Centres.
The service will continue to support more than 7.5 million scheduled collections each year. A key focus will be on enhancing service delivery, improving operational efficiency, and delivering long-term benefits that positively impact residents, businesses, and the wider environment.
The LATCo model provides Calderdale Council with greater long-term influence over service delivery, alongside the flexibility to respond to future needs. It also enables access to Norse Group’s wider network of expertise, drawing on insight and experience from established partnerships to strengthen delivery while keeping services rooted in local priorities.
Employees currently delivering waste services under the existing arrangement will transfer into Calderdale Norse under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment, 2006), supporting stability for teams and continuity for residents.
Alongside operational delivery, the joint venture partnership will support ongoing workforce development within Calderdale Norse, ensuring teams are valued, supported and equipped for the long term, while also creating opportunities to deliver meaningful social value for the wider community.
Calderdale Council’s Leader, Cllr Dan Sutherland, said:
“We’re committed to providing efficient and reliable waste services, and ensuring the Council has greater control and flexibility for the future.
“Working closely with Norse, we are preparing for a smooth transition, so residents continue to receive high-quality services while maintaining Calderdale’s strong recycling performance.”
Justin Galliford, Chief Executive Officer at Norse Group said:
“We are delighted to be working alongside Calderdale Council to launch Calderdale Norse. This partnership is focused on keeping services reliable and consistent for residents, while building on strong local knowledge to support communities, strengthen long-term sustainability, and keep investing in the borough’s future.
Across the UK, Norse Group works closely with local authorities to provide efficient, sustainable public services to more than a million people. We’re looking forward to supporting the Calderdale community and making a positive difference on the ground.”
Rubbermaid | Time to rethink air care – Introducing CirculAir 90™
Facilities are under increasing pressure to deliver improved sustainability without compromising on performance.
That’s why we’ve launched CirculAir 90™, the next evolution of our popular TCell™ passive air freshening system that uses 36% less resources and emits 11% less greenhouse gases than its predecessor.
It’s a small change that can have a big impact. By simply switching from TCell™ to CirculAir 90™, together we can save 3 tonnes of plastic and 4.9 tonnes of metals a year.
REAL SOLUTIONS, REAL RESULTS
Engineered for recyclability with a lower environmental footprint than its predecessor, CirculAir 90™ was developed in direct response to growing demand for solutions that deliver reduced environmental footprint without compromising on performance.
CirculAir 90™ represents a fresh approach to commercial air care. By harnessing natural airflow to distribute fragrance, it eliminates the need for batteries, reducing raw materials and simplifying recycling for end users.
RECYCLABILITY
So, what makes CirculAir 90™ different?
It starts with considered design. Every component of our new scented refill is made from the same material. This not only lowers the use of natural resources during production, it also makes CirculAir 90™ easy to recycle. There’s no dismantling, no sorting and no hassle. Instead, you simply put the product into the plastic recycling when it’s time to replace the refill.
SUSTAINABILITY YOU CAN TRUST
Sustainability is no longer a differentiator; it’s a requirement. That means you need products you can trust.
Customers expect companies to take the lead when it comes to sustainability, but they’re increasingly wise to those who greenwash their products. Instead of unverified claims and unfounded promises, they want to work with brands whose environmental impact claims actually stand up to scrutiny.
That’s why our claims are verified by third-party accreditation and certification.
CirculAir 90™ is backed by third-party assessments and certification, including an ISO compliant third-party reviewed lifecycle assessment (LCA) in partnership with global climate consultancy South Pole, and a recyclability assessment by RecyClass (UK, EU, CH, NO & US).
It’s recyclability you can trust in practice, and at scale.
PERFORMANCE THAT DOESN’T COMPROMISE
CirculAir 90™ is designed to work seamlessly with your existing TCell™ dispensers, to deliver a full 90 days of continuous fragrance.
You can choose from six fragrances – Blue Splash, Citrus Mix, Crystal Breeze, Fruit Crush, Polar Mist, and Relaxing Spa – each with its own unique scent and intensity so you can find the right one to meet your needs.
MAKING AN IMPACT TOGETHER
Together, we can rethink air care and create real environmental impact. Switching to the recyclable, battery-free CirculAir 90™ is remarkably simple: same dispensers, same fragrance options. The only thing that changes is the environmental credentials.
Ready to make the switch? Click here to find out more.