There are 2,510 waste companies in the UK. The value of Waste Management in the UK is estimated at £8.86bn, accounting for 128,000 jobs. Over half of this sector’s employment is within three sub sectors: (i): carrying and collection (22%); (ii) processing of recycle items (17%); and (iii) sorting and sale of waste or scrap (17%).

Although a complex industry, the sector can be divided into 5 waste sources, industrial, commercial, municipal, household and civic.

The industry faces challenging times with Government legislation and policy; landfill directive targets; climate change goals; and biodiversity action plans, all set out to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites and increase the amount of waste being recycled.

With evolving demands, its dependence on temporary workers has grown over the years and this is a trend set to continue.