---
title: UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – H1 2026
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Waste & Recycling
period: H1 2026
coverage_start: '2026-01-01'
coverage_end: '2026-06-30'
date_published: '2026-09-01'
last_updated: '2026-09-01'
organisations: 6
articles_analysed: 4389
mentions: 463
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/data.json
summary: Biffa had the highest average monthly share of coverage (34.9%) among 6 companies
  in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, ahead of Veolia (28.1%)
  and Suez UK (22.7%).
---

# UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker: H1 2026 (1 January 2026–30 June 2026)

> Biffa had the highest average monthly share of coverage (34.9%) among 6 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, ahead of Veolia (28.1%) and Suez UK (22.7%). Grundon had the most favourable net tone (+81). Omniscan analysed 4,389 articles containing 463 mentions of the companies tracked.

Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1

## UK Waste & Recycling ranking by share of coverage, H1 2026

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Biffa | 34.9% | 167 | 54% | 24% | 22% | +33 |
| 2 | Veolia | 28.1% | 130 | 45% | 37% | 18% | +28 |
| 3 | Suez UK | 22.7% | 102 | 45% | 33% | 22% | +24 |
| 4 | FCC Environment | 9.1% | 41 | 34% | 46% | 20% | +15 |
| 5 | Grundon | 3.8% | 16 | 81% | 19% | 0% | +81 |
| 6 | Cory | 1.3% | 7 | 43% | 29% | 28% | +14 |

## Monthly share of coverage, UK Waste & Recycling

| Organisation | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Biffa | 40.2% | 31.3% | 43.3% | 25.8% | 28.8% | 40.3% |
| Veolia | 33.3% | 22.4% | 27.9% | 37.1% | 27.3% | 20.8% |
| Suez UK | 20.7% | 34.3% | 16.3% | 21.0% | 25.8% | 18.2% |
| FCC Environment | 2.3% | 1.5% | 8.7% | 14.5% | 13.6% | 14.3% |
| Grundon | 0.0% | 9.0% | 1.0% | 1.6% | 4.5% | 6.5% |
| Cory | 3.4% | 1.5% | 2.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |

## Companies in detail

### Biffa

**Biffa leads as contracts, circularity and operational risks shape coverage**

Biffa ranked 1st of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (34.9%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 167 mentions and a net tone of +33.

January’s 40.2% share coincided with extensive independent reporting on the rejection of its £51.4m Scottish deposit return scheme claim, alongside the Suffolk materials recovery facility upgrade and ReBorn homeware partnership. March brought the period’s highest share, 43.3%, as stories included the PaintCare UK pilot, Winchester contract extension, Roxby landfill refusal and the investigation at its Hartlepool facility. April’s share fell to 25.8%, while the agenda centred more narrowly on council collections, surplus-food redistribution and recycling performance. Biffa returned to first place in May and reached 40.3% in June; contemporaneous developments included the renewed Oxfordshire contract, the proposed Wirral award, a vape-deposit campaign and output from the upgraded Horsham anaerobic-digestion facility. Visibility peaked in March 2026 at 43.3%, compared with 25.8% in April 2026. February 2026: share fell 8.9 percentage points to 31.3% and rank moved from first to second; stories included Biffa’s annual results and Keenan Recycling’s electric food-waste vehicle. February 2026: Biffa reported 9.4% revenue growth to £1.89bn, covered by letsrecycle.com. March 2026: Biffa took responsibility for collection, transport and treatment in the PaintCare UK pilot, reported by circularonline.co.uk. May 2026: Biffa secured a renewed Oxfordshire collection and street-cleansing contract worth up to £259.6m, reported by letsrecycle.com.

Key messages:

- Visibility peaked in March 2026 at 43.3%, compared with 25.8% in April 2026.
- January 2026: the Court of Session rejected Biffa’s £51.4m Scottish deposit return scheme claim, reported by BBC News.
- Biffa and Suffolk County Council signed a £12 million contract to upgrade the Masons MRF near Ipswich. The upgraded site is expected to process up to 75,000 tonnes of recycling annually.
- Biffa supported Mitchells & Butlers to implement separate food-waste collections under England’s Simpler Recycling requirements. The hospitality company reported recycling 535 more tonnes of food waste between April and October 2025 than in the comparable prior-year period.
- Biffa is collaborating with ReBorn to supply recycled UK polypropylene for recyclable homeware. The partnership supports locally manufactured products made from recycled plastic.
- Biffa reported strong growth alongside a revenue rise, with resources and energy operations recording 23.9% year-on-year growth. The full article is subscriber-only.

Leading themes:

- Recycling & Circular Economy: 25.1% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.11, net tone +69)
- Policy & Regulation (EPR & Simpler Recycling): 21.6% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.82, net tone +17)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 19.8% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.03, net tone +79)

Notable positive coverage:

- 2 January 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Masons MRF set for upgrade as Biffa extends Suffolk waste contract](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/masons-mrf-set-for-upgrade-as-biffa-extends-suffolk-waste-contract/). Biffa secured a 10-year extension to its Suffolk waste-disposal contract alongside a multi-million-pound upgrade of Masons MRF. The project will support dual-stream recycling collections and improve material recovery.
- 13 January 2026, endswasteandbioenergy.com: [Biffa agrees £12m upgrade to Ipswich MRF with council](https://www.endswasteandbioenergy.com/article/1945030/biffa-agrees-12m-upgrade-ipswich-mrf-council). Biffa has agreed a £12 million upgrade to an Ipswich materials recovery facility with Suffolk County Council. Packaging EPR funding will support the project.
- 13 January 2026, circularonline.co.uk: [Suffolk County Council and Biffa sign £12m MRF upgrade contract](https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/suffolk-county-council-and-biffa-sign-12m-mrf-upgrade-contract/). Biffa and Suffolk County Council signed a £12 million contract to upgrade the Masons MRF near Ipswich. The upgraded site is expected to process up to 75,000 tonnes of recycling annually.

Notable negative coverage:

- 14 May 2026, bbc.com: [New application to keep North Lincolnshire landfill site open](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62r6vr4mkmo). Biffa has submitted a revised application to extend operations at its Roxby landfill site until 2034 and plans to appeal an earlier refusal. Residents have raised odour and environmental concerns about the site.
- 16 February 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Exploding vape batteries 'putting lives at risk'](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8zg9pj2nyo). A lithium battery fire at Biffa's Aldridge recycling site in January 2025 caused six months of downtime and rebuilding. The company warns that incorrectly discarded vapes are creating serious fire and cost risks across the waste sector.
- 30 March 2026, mirror.co.uk: [Man's remains found inside recycling plant as horrific fresh details emerge](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mans-remains-found-inside-hartlepool-36943220). Cleveland Police have provided an update on the investigation into human remains found at Biffa's Hartlepool recycling facility. The remains were confirmed to be those of a man, with enquiries ongoing.

- [Biffa deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=biffa&view=deep-dive)
- [Biffa PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/biffa.pdf)

### Veolia

**Veolia ranks second as contracts and infrastructure reshape coverage**

Veolia ranked 2nd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (28.1%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 130 mentions and a net tone of +28.

April’s 37.1% share was the period high and secured first place despite volume falling from 29 to 23 as the wider cohort contracted. January’s coverage was dominated by operational and safety issues, including the Dover crew apology, waste-fire prevention work with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and disruption after the Worksop transfer-station fire. February broadened the profile through the Padworth recycling-centre feature, more than £1bn of council contracts secured or extended in 2025 and the UK heat-network project pipeline. March and April brought a stronger combination of recycling expansion, contract activity and corporate development, including the rapid illegal-waste clearance service, the end of Sheffield industrial action, Richard Kirkman’s appointment and the Isle of Wight contract. May and June mixed infrastructure and workforce evidence, notably the Southwark facility upgrade, the Fenn’s Bank composting proposal, the health innovation award and reporting on nitrous-oxide damage at energy-from-waste plants. January 2026: Veolia and Telford and Wrekin Council’s resale events had diverted an estimated 150 tonnes of goods from waste or recycling centres, reported by BBC. February 2026: the Padworth materials recovery facility’s sorting process and battery hazards were examined by BBC. March 2026: Veolia launched a rapid removal service for illegal waste dumping, reported by letsrecycle.com.

Key messages:

- January 2026: Veolia and Telford and Wrekin Council’s resale events had diverted an estimated 150 tonnes of goods from waste or recycling centres, reported by BBC.
- Veolia UK secured or extended more than £1bn of local-authority contracts in 2025, including services for Bromley and several London and Hertfordshire councils. The company also highlighted UK recycling infrastructure investment and vehicle-to-grid initiatives.
- Veolia UK launched a rapid waste-clearance service for illegal dumping, offering an action plan within 24 hours and end-to-end assessment, removal and treatment. The launch responds to rising fly-tipping and illegal waste-site concerns.
- Veolia appointed Richard Kirkman as CEO for Northern Europe, replacing Gavin Graveson, who moves to lead the Asia Pacific Zone. Kirkman will oversee UK and Ireland operations alongside several other Northern European markets.
- Veolia has begun a two-year Isle of Wight Council contract covering waste and recycling collections, treatment, two HWRCs, and energy and materials recovery facilities. The appointment follows the early exit of former contractor Thalia Waste Management.
- Veolia launched Data Centre Resource 360 in London, combining waste, energy and water services for data centres. The offering aims to reuse or recycle up to 95% of waste.

Leading themes:

- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 23.1% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 1.67, net tone −40)
- Recycling & Circular Economy: 23.1% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 0.97, net tone +43)
- Policy & Regulation (EPR & Simpler Recycling): 17.7% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 1.23, net tone +39)

Notable positive coverage:

- 26 February 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Veolia secured £1bn in UK council contracts in 2025](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/veolia-secured-1bn-in-uk-council-contracts-in-2025/). Veolia UK secured or extended more than £1bn of local-authority contracts in 2025, including services for Bromley and several London and Hertfordshire councils. The company also highlighted UK recycling infrastructure investment and vehicle-to-grid initiatives.
- 3 March 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Veolia launches rapid removal service for illegal waste dumpings](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/veolia-launches-rapid-removal-service-for-illegal-waste-dumpings/). Veolia UK launched a rapid waste-clearance service for illegal dumping, offering an action plan within 24 hours and end-to-end assessment, removal and treatment. The launch responds to rising fly-tipping and illegal waste-site concerns.
- 2 April 2026, letsrecycle.com: [EXCLUSIVE: Veolia UK announces new CEO to replace Gavin Graveson](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/veolia-uk-announces-new-ceo-to-replace-gavin-graveson/). Veolia appointed Richard Kirkman as CEO for Northern Europe, replacing Gavin Graveson, who moves to lead the Asia Pacific Zone. Kirkman will oversee UK and Ireland operations alongside several other Northern European markets.

Notable negative coverage:

- 10 June 2026, bbc.com: [Nitrous oxide explosions cause £4.7m of waste facility damage](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yz3y23p9yo). Veolia reports £4.7m of damage to its facilities since 2023 and 745 hours of 2025 plant outage from nitrous oxide canister explosions. Bedford Borough Council has urged residents to dispose of the canisters safely.
- 30 April 2026, mirror.co.uk: [Screams heard as man crushed to death in bin lorry, inquest told](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/screams-heard-man-crushed-death-37095025). An inquest heard that Sajmir Beca died after being crushed in a Veolia refuse lorry in Northampton. Veolia expressed condolences and said the incident highlighted the danger of taking refuge in bins.
- 27 April 2026, bbc.com: [Months of bin disruption after battery fire to end](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyej87zlxro). Veolia will reopen its Worksop waste transfer station after a battery-related fire caused months of disruption to local waste collections. The company rebuilt the site and installed a new fire-suppression system.

- [Veolia deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=veolia&view=deep-dive)
- [Veolia PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/veolia.pdf)

### Suez UK

**Suez UK moved between third and first as its agenda broadened**

Suez UK ranked 3rd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (22.7%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 102 mentions and a net tone of +24.

January’s coverage combined the Devon contract renewal and interim control of Aberdeen’s NESS energy-from-waste plant with reporting on the Haverton Hill incident. February’s move to first place coincided with independent reporting on the Blackburn reuse shop, the South Gloucestershire contract and operational safety. Recycling remained prominent in March through the Renew Hub royal visit and Cornwall reuse shops, although Suez UK’s share fell to 16.3% and third place. April and May broadened the profile through Wilton 11 carbon-capture plans, Avonmouth sorting technology and the £396m Milton Keynes contract, while fires and missed collections sustained an operational strand. June’s smaller 18.2% share accompanied reporting on Simpler Recycling implementation and South Gloucestershire service disruption. January 2026: Devon County Council renewed Suez UK’s £10m-a-year recycling-centre contract, reported by letsrecycle.com. February 2026: share rose 13.6 percentage points to 34.3% and rank moved from third to first; stories included Suez UK opening Blackburn’s reuse shop. February 2026: Suez UK opened a reuse shop at Blackburn Household Waste Recycling Centre, reported by BBC News. March 2026: King Charles visited Suez UK’s Renew Hub during the Circularity in Practice launch, reported by Sky News. April 2026: Suez UK applied to connect its Wilton 11 plant to the East Coast carbon-capture cluster, reported by ENDS Waste & Bioenergy.

Key messages:

- January 2026: Devon County Council renewed Suez UK’s £10m-a-year recycling-centre contract, reported by letsrecycle.com.
- SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has awarded Fleetclear a nationwide fleet-safety platform contract, beginning with its Milton Keynes council fleet. The system is intended to improve vehicle safety, performance monitoring and service delivery.
- SUEZ has installed a UV tag-reading and sorting system at its Avonmouth materials recycling facility. The technology combines invisible packaging watermarks with near-infrared sorting to provide real-time material-flow data.
- SUEZ has signed a £396m, ten-year contract to operate Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park. The company also announced UK developments including Aberdeen EfW operations, a Northumberland anaerobic-digestion plant and expanded battery-recycling capacity.
- Cornwall Council and Suez warned residents not to place gas canisters in kerbside recycling after an increase linked to storm power cuts. Suez said canisters and batteries present serious fire and explosion risks at recycling facilities.
- A man's body was found among waste at SUEZ's Haverton Hill recycling centre in Billingham, prompting a suspension of operations during the police investigation. An inquest is under way and the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Leading themes:

- Recycling & Circular Economy: 31.4% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.47, net tone +72)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 21.6% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.15, net tone +32)
- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 20.6% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.35, net tone −57)

Notable positive coverage:

- 2 January 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Devon County Council extends £10m-a-year waste contract with Suez](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/devon-county-council-extends-10m-a-year-waste-contract-with-suez/). Devon County Council renewed SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s contract to operate 18 recycling centres and two transfer stations from April 2026. The agreement supports reuse, recycling and social-value initiatives.
- 21 April 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Fleetclear lands Suez fleet contract, rollout begins in Milton Keynes](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/fleetclear-lands-suez-fleet-contract-rollout-begins-in-milton-keynes/). SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has awarded Fleetclear a nationwide fleet-safety platform contract, beginning with its Milton Keynes council fleet. The system is intended to improve vehicle safety, performance monitoring and service delivery.
- 11 May 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Suez installs Polytag UV readers at Avonmouth](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/suez-installs-polytag-uv-readers-at-avonmouth/). SUEZ has installed Polytag UV tag-reading technology integrated with Pellenc ST sorting equipment at its Avonmouth MRF. The system is intended to improve packaging identification, material-flow data and recyclate quality.

Notable negative coverage:

- 27 May 2026, bbc.com: [Public is warned after discarded batteries spark fires in Taunton](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx213j284zyo). Improperly discarded batteries caused fires at Suez-run Taunton Recycling Centre and in a Suez collection vehicle in Somerset. Suez and Somerset Council urged residents to dispose of batteries, vapes and gas canisters safely.
- 19 May 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Crews tackle waste fire at recycling centre in Poole](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgzj03pg55o). A fire at SUEZ's Poole recycling depot was tackled by nine fire crews. No casualties were reported and the cause was believed accidental.
- 17 May 2026, theguardian.com: [Fire and ‘sheer volume’: how Britain’s 6m-vape problem is putting recycling under strain](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/17/disposable-vapes-suez-uk). Suez UK says discarded vapes and their lithium-ion batteries are driving fires at its recycling sites and increasing operational costs. The company urges stronger producer responsibility and better vape takeback arrangements.

- [Suez UK deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=suezuk&view=deep-dive)
- [Suez UK PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/suezuk.pdf)

### FCC Environment

**FCC Environment moves into fourth as coverage broadens**

FCC Environment ranked 4th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (9.1%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 41 mentions and a net tone of +15.

Its initial company-focused evidence concerned 3C Waste’s proposed Llanddulas quarry extension, before March brought a broader agenda spanning revenue growth, energy-from-waste capacity, employment and council services. Policy and community activity became more prominent in April through FCC’s report on political uncertainty, funding for a Netherfield play area and a Northampton reuse project. May combined the 12-year Kent contract, the approaching completion of the Lostock energy plant and FCC’s use of automated waste-composition systems for compliance reporting. June produced a joint-highest monthly volume of 11, alongside the West Devon service returning in-house, the Costessey battery fire, a Dudley plant evacuation and opposition to a quarry proposal. Visibility peaked in April 2026 at 14.5%, compared with 1.5% in February 2026. February 2026: 3C Waste sought a ten-year extension for limited quarrying at Llanddulas, reported by Daily Post. March 2026: share increased by 7.2 points to 8.7% and FCC moved from fifth to fourth; stories included permission for the Lincolnshire Energy Waste Facility expansion and reported 2025 revenue growth. April 2026: volume stayed at nine while share rose by 5.8 points to 14.5%; contemporaneous evidence included FCC’s waste-policy report and the agreement ending threatened Dartford strike action.

Key messages:

- Visibility peaked in April 2026 at 14.5%, compared with 1.5% in February 2026.
- February 2026: 3C Waste sought a ten-year extension for limited quarrying at Llanddulas, reported by Daily Post.
- FCC Environment has received permission to increase the Lincolnshire Energy Waste Facility's annual capacity by 20,000 tonnes to 190,000 tonnes. The expansion is expected to raise renewable energy output without new buildings.
- Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells councils have awarded FCC Environment a new 12-year household recycling, waste collection and street-cleansing contract starting in April 2027. The councils said the service already meets Simpler Recycling requirements.
- CIWM profiles early-career routes into the resources and waste sector, including FCC Environment employees Laura Fisher and Tabitha Skeats. Both describe progression through FCC graduate and operational roles.
- FCC Communities Foundation awarded £98,000 from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund for a new play area in Netherfield.

Leading themes:

- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 19.5% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 1, net tone −37)
- Other: 12.2% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 2.86, net tone +60)
- Energy from Waste & Infrastructure: 12.2% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 1.77, net tone +20)

Notable positive coverage:

- 11 March 2026, bbc.com: [North Hykeham energy generating waste site set to expand](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mg7w7180po). FCC Environment has received permission to increase the Lincolnshire Energy Waste Facility's annual capacity by 20,000 tonnes to 190,000 tonnes. The expansion is expected to raise renewable energy output without new buildings.
- 12 May 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Winner of 12-year Kent recycling and waste contract announced](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/winner-of-12-year-kent-recycling-and-waste-contract-announced/). FCC Environment has been reappointed to manage recycling and waste services for Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells for 12 years from April 2027. The contract will introduce HVO fuel for collection vehicles.
- 18 March 2026, circularonline.co.uk: [“I had no idea what I wanted to do!” | How careers in resources & waste really begin](https://www.circularonline.co.uk/features/i-had-no-idea-what-i-wanted-to-do-how-careers-in-resources-waste-really-begin/). CIWM profiles early-career routes into the resources and waste sector, including FCC Environment employees Laura Fisher and Tabitha Skeats. Both describe progression through FCC graduate and operational roles.

Notable negative coverage:

- 19 June 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Battery suspected cause of recycling centre fire](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c872j5nryv1o). A suspected discarded lithium-ion battery caused a fire involving 50 tonnes of waste at FCC Environment's Costessey site near Norwich. The incident prompted warnings over battery disposal and potential collection delays.
- 25 June 2026, devonlive.com: [West Devon changes how bins are collected ahead 2028 date](https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/west-devon-changes-how-bins-11028127). West Devon Borough Council will bring household waste and recycling collections in-house when its FCC Environment contract ends in April 2027. FCC staff are expected to transfer to the council under TUPE.
- 12 June 2026, expressandstar.com: [Workers evacuated from Dudley waste plant after chemical 'lime product' released](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/workers-dudley-waste-plant-chemical-released-8693338). Workers were evacuated after hydrated lime was released during maintenance at Dudley Energy from Waste Facility. FCC Environment declared the site safe the following day and operations resumed.

- [FCC Environment deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=fccenvironment&view=deep-dive)
- [FCC Environment PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/fccenvironment.pdf)

### Grundon

**Grundon ranks fifth as contracts and infrastructure feature in coverage**

Grundon ranked 5th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (3.8%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 16 mentions and a net tone of +81.

Independent February reporting covered the Avonmouth HTI permit, rapid Bristol growth, the Ashton Gate appointment and emissions measurement and investment in electric vehicles. The subsequent fall to 1% in March comprised only a contextual appearance in an industry awards shortlist, while April's company-focused coverage concerned plans to convert listed quarry-site barns. Infrastructure became central as the Bristol waste transfer station began operations in May, followed by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium contract and Ed Fagan's board appointment in June. Visibility peaked in February 2026 at 9%, compared with 0% in January 2026. February 2026: Grundon secured a permit for its Avonmouth HTI facility, reported by endswasteandbioenergy.com. March 2026: volume fell by five to one mention and share dropped eight points to 1%, placing Grundon sixth; the sole evidence was a contextual appearance in the Awards for Excellence shortlist. May 2026: volume increased by two to three mentions and share rose 2.9 points to 4.5%, while Grundon began operating its Bristol waste transfer station. April 2026: Grundon Sand & Gravel proposed converting listed quarry-site barns into a farm shop, café and artisan workspace, reported by oxfordmail.co.uk. Grundon appointed Ed Fagan as Property and Infrastructure Director and to its board, effective 1 June. Philip Atkinson moved to become UK managing director of sister company OCO Technology.

Key messages:

- Visibility peaked in February 2026 at 9%, compared with 0% in January 2026.
- February 2026: Grundon secured a permit for its Avonmouth HTI facility, reported by endswasteandbioenergy.com.
- Grundon has begun operating its new Bristol waste transfer station, with capacity to bulk up to 50,000 tonnes a year of commercial and industrial waste. The facility is intended to improve regional handling efficiency and reduce vehicle mileage.
- Grundon appointed Ed Fagan as Property and Infrastructure Director and to its board, effective 1 June. Philip Atkinson moved to become UK managing director of sister company OCO Technology.
- Grundon has won a contract to manage waste and recycling at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Its plans include improved segregation, an on-site mini MRF and trials of AI-enabled bins.
- Grundon reported strong growth in Bristol, with regional customer numbers up 273% since 2020 and depot staffing rising during 2025. It has secured waste-management customers including major city venues.

Leading themes:

- Energy from Waste & Infrastructure: 25.0% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 3.73, net tone +100)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 25.0% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 1.3, net tone +100)
- Other: 18.8% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 4.19, net tone +67)

Notable positive coverage:

- 5 February 2026, endswasteandbioenergy.com: [Grundon secures permit for Avonmouth HTI facility](https://www.endswasteandbioenergy.com/article/1947527/grundon-secures-permit-avonmouth-hti-facility). Grundon has secured a permit for its Avonmouth HTI facility. The article notes that failed gasification technology at the site, mothballed in 2016, has been removed.
- 15 May 2026, insidermedia.com: [Operations start at Grundon's Bristol Waste Transfer Station](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/operations-start-at-grundons-bristol-waste-transfer-station). Grundon has begun operating a new waste transfer station in Bristol, with capacity for up to 50,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste annually. The facility expands regional handling capacity and is expected to create local jobs.
- 18 May 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Operations start at Grundon’s new Bristol Waste Transfer Station](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/operations-start-at-grundons-new-bristol-waste-transfer-station/). Grundon has begun operating its new Bristol waste transfer station, with capacity to bulk up to 50,000 tonnes a year of commercial and industrial waste. The facility is intended to improve regional handling efficiency and reduce vehicle mileage.

- [Grundon deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=grundon&view=deep-dive)
- [Grundon PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/grundon.pdf)

### Cory

**Cory’s coverage centred on waste-to-energy infrastructure**

Cory ranked 6th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (1.3%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for H1 2026, with 7 mentions and a net tone of +14.

January was its strongest competitive position, with three mentions, a 3.4% share and fourth place; Endswaste & Bioenergy and Smart Cities World reported Riverside 2’s connection to London’s electricity grid. Coverage fell to one mention and a 1.5% share in February, when The Independent reported the discovery and explosion of nitrous oxide canisters at Cory’s riverside facility. March returned to three mentions and a 2.9% share, remaining fifth, as Endswaste & Bioenergy covered scoping for Cory’s London heat transmission project and its application for Green Heat Network Fund support. Other March evidence broadened the infrastructure agenda: the Financial Times discussed Cory’s southeast London waste-to-energy development alongside criticism of incineration, while The Ecologist challenged the Belvedere expansion and proposed carbon-capture project. Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 3.4%, compared with 0% in April 2026. Cory’s Riverside 2 energy-from-waste facility in Belvedere has been connected to London’s electricity grid through a new 132kV circuit. The plant is expected to process 650,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually once operational. The article criticises Cory's Belvedere incinerator expansion and proposed carbon-capture project, questioning its emissions-capture, power-generation and environmental claims. It argues the project could lock councils into waste incineration and relies heavily on public support.

Key messages:

- Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 3.4%, compared with 0% in April 2026.
- Cory’s Riverside 2 energy-from-waste facility in Belvedere has been connected to London’s electricity grid through a new 132kV circuit. The plant is expected to process 650,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually once operational.
- Cory's London riverside facility reported finding around 670,000 nitrous oxide canisters in processed waste last year, including 4,000 that exploded. The waste sector is seeking tighter controls and safer disposal routes for large cylinders.
- The article criticises Cory's Belvedere incinerator expansion and proposed carbon-capture project, questioning its emissions-capture, power-generation and environmental claims. It argues the project could lock councils into waste incineration and relies heavily on public support.

Leading themes:

- Energy from Waste & Infrastructure: 85.7% of Cory's coverage (theme index 13.96, net tone +33)
- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 14.3% of Cory's coverage (theme index 0.87, net tone −100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 14 January 2026, endswasteandbioenergy.com: [Cory’s Riverside 2 EfW plant connects to London grid](https://www.endswasteandbioenergy.com/article/1945158/corys-riverside-2-efw-plant-connects-london-grid). Cory’s Riverside 2 energy-from-waste plant has connected to the London grid and is expected to become operational later in 2026.
- 14 January 2026, london-post.co.uk: [10 kilometres of new cables connect major waste-to-energy plant to London’s grid](https://london-post.co.uk/10-kilometres-of-new-cables-connect-major-waste-to-energy-plant-to-londons-grid/). Cory’s Riverside 2 energy-from-waste facility in Belvedere has been connected to London’s electricity grid through a new 132kV circuit. The plant is expected to process 650,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually once operational.
- 13 January 2026, smartcitiesworld.net: [Major waste-to-energy plant connected to London’s grid](https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/smart-waste/major-waste-to-energy-plant-connected-to-londons-grid-12350). Cory's Riverside 2 waste-to-energy plant has been connected to London's electricity grid. The facility is projected to process 650,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually.

Notable negative coverage:

- 12 February 2026, independent.co.uk: [Warning over rise in exploding laughing gas canisters at waste centres](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/laughing-gas-canister-explosions-waste-sites-danger-b2918966.html). Cory's London riverside facility reported finding around 670,000 nitrous oxide canisters in processed waste last year, including 4,000 that exploded. The waste sector is seeking tighter controls and safer disposal routes for large cylinders.
- 5 March 2026, theecologist.org: [Burn, baby, burn](https://theecologist.org/2026/mar/05/burn-baby-burn). The article criticises Cory's Belvedere incinerator expansion and proposed carbon-capture project, questioning its emissions-capture, power-generation and environmental claims. It argues the project could lock councils into waste incineration and relies heavily on public support.

- [Cory deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1?entity=cory&view=deep-dive)
- [Cory PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1/reports/cory.pdf)

## Methodology

- **Share of coverage**: an organisation's mentions divided by all mentions of the organisations tracked in the same sector that month, in UK earned media. It is the central measure of media visibility in Omniscan benchmarks. "Average monthly share" is the mean of the monthly shares across the reporting period.
- **Mention**: one article that covers an organisation, classified as positive, neutral or negative in tone. Articles are deduplicated, and an organisation's own websites and passing sponsorship name-checks are excluded, so only earned media counts.
- **Net tone**: positive mentions minus negative mentions, as a percentage of all mentions (range −100 to +100).
- **Themes**: every article is assigned to one of the sector's editorial themes. A theme index above 1 means the organisation is covered on that theme more than its peers are; below 1 means less.
- **Calculation**: every figure is computed directly from the classified articles; narrative summaries are checked against those figures.
- **Sources**: UK national and international, trade and specialist, regional and local, and aggregator and syndication earned media.

## Other UK Waste & Recycling editions

- [UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – 2026 year to date](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-ytd.md)
- [UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – July 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-07.md)
- [UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – August 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-08.md)
- [UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – September 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-09.md)
- [All Omniscan media benchmarks](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks.md)

## How to cite

Omniscan, "UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker", H1 2026 (1 January 2026–30 June 2026), published 1 September 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1