---
title: UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker – 2026 year to date
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-ytd
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Waste & Recycling
period: 2026 year to date
coverage_start: '2026-01-01'
coverage_end: '2026-09-30'
date_published: '2026-10-04'
last_updated: '2026-10-04'
organisations: 6
articles_analysed: 6361
mentions: 740
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-ytd/data.json
summary: Biffa had the highest average monthly share of coverage (33.0%) among 6 companies
  in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of Veolia (25.2%)
  and Suez UK (24.9%).
---

# UK waste & recycling media reputation tracker: 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026)

> Biffa had the highest average monthly share of coverage (33.0%) among 6 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of Veolia (25.2%) and Suez UK (24.9%). Grundon had the most favourable net tone (+64). Omniscan analysed 6,361 articles containing 740 mentions of the companies tracked.

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

## UK Waste & Recycling ranking by share of coverage, 2026 year to date

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Biffa | 33.0% | 249 | 54% | 28% | 18% | +36 |
| 2 | Veolia | 25.2% | 181 | 51% | 31% | 18% | +34 |
| 3 | Suez UK | 24.9% | 180 | 44% | 31% | 25% | +18 |
| 4 | FCC Environment | 10.4% | 78 | 36% | 38% | 26% | +10 |
| 5 | Grundon | 5.3% | 42 | 69% | 26% | 5% | +64 |
| 6 | Cory | 1.2% | 10 | 60% | 20% | 20% | +40 |

## Monthly share of coverage, UK Waste & Recycling

| Organisation | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Biffa | 39.8% | 31.1% | 43.7% | 25.4% | 28.6% | 40.3% | 26.7% | 28.7% | 33.1% |
| Veolia | 34.9% | 23.0% | 29.1% | 37.3% | 27.0% | 20.8% | 17.4% | 21.8% | 15.7% |
| Suez UK | 20.5% | 34.4% | 15.5% | 22.0% | 25.4% | 16.9% | 39.5% | 29.9% | 19.8% |
| FCC Environment | 2.4% | 1.6% | 8.7% | 15.3% | 14.3% | 15.6% | 9.3% | 11.5% | 14.9% |
| Grundon | 0.0% | 8.2% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 4.8% | 6.5% | 5.8% | 8.0% | 13.2% |
| Cory | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.2% | 0.0% | 3.3% |

## Companies in detail

### Biffa

**Contracts, circularity and safety sustain Biffa’s benchmark lead**

Biffa ranked 1st of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (33.0%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 249 mentions and a net tone of +36.

Biffa led the nine-month benchmark with 249 measured mentions, a 33.6% pooled share of tracked-company mentions and a first-ranked 33% average monthly share. It ranked first in five months and second in four, combining a strong overall position with pronounced movement between 25.4% and 43.7%. Independent reporting on the £51.4m Scottish deposit return scheme judgment dominated the opening agenda, alongside the £12m Masons recycling facility upgrade and a 10-year Suffolk contract extension. February’s lower 31.1% share accompanied a broader mix that included Keenan Recycling’s first electric food-waste vehicle, Biffa’s financial results and warnings about vape battery fires. The March high of 43.7% coincided with the PaintCare UK return pilot, an eight-year Winchester contract extension and further reporting on the Masons upgrade, while operational and planning issues also featured. Coverage then narrowed around council services: Biffa was second at 25.4% in April before returning to first at 28.6% in May, when it secured an Oxfordshire contract worth up to £259.6m and announced waste-composition monitoring with FCC Environment. June restored a 40.3% share, with the proposed £174m Wirral contract, calls for a vape deposit scheme and output from the upgraded Horsham anaerobic-digestion facility spanning commercial, policy and infrastructure narratives. Biffa ranked second in July and August as the agenda combined the eventual Wirral award and expanded KFC contract with collection disruption, dangerous driving around crews, record discarded-vape volumes and the St Neots fire. September brought a return to first place at 33.1%, alongside reporting on food-grade plastics recycling at Redcar, packaging recyclability ahead of the pEPR deadline, an Argyll and Bute contract and post-inquest safety measures. Across the window, Biffa’s visibility rested on substantial contract and circular-economy developments but was repeatedly accompanied by operational risk, local service scrutiny and safety reporting.

Key messages:

- Biffa accounted for 33.6% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#2 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Recycling & Circular Economy and Collections, Councils & Contracts.
- Visibility peaked in March 2026 at 43.7%, compared with 25.4% in April 2026.
- January 2026: the Court of Session rejected Biffa’s £51.4m Scottish deposit return scheme claim, reported by Sky News.

Leading themes:

- Recycling & Circular Economy: 26.9% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.14, net tone +73)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 20.9% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.03, net tone +69)
- Policy & Regulation (EPR & Simpler Recycling): 17.7% of Biffa's coverage (theme index 1.67, net tone +16)

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, 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.
- 14 January 2026, telegraph.co.uk: [Learn how Biffa helped Mitchells & Butlers meet new Simpler Recycling Legislation](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/waste-management/mitchells-and-butlers-recycling/). 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.

Notable negative coverage:

- 24 September 2026, bbc.com: [Corrie Mckeague's mum: 'I've given myself closure; my son's dead'](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm3wj23v9964o). On the tenth anniversary of Corrie McKeague's disappearance, his mother criticises Biffa over its handling of evidence and says bins in Bury St Edmunds remain unlocked. Biffa says it has added warning signage, provides staff training and is committed to learning from the inquest.
- 11 August 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Crews tackle fire at Biffa waste site in St Neots, Cambridgeshire](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4911zzl73o). A major fire broke out at Biffa's waste-management transfer station in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Fire crews expected a prolonged response and local people were advised to avoid the area and close windows and doors.
- 11 August 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Black smoke shoots into air from St Neots industrial site](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c2lqwyr5498o). A fire at Biffa's St Neots waste-management transfer station produced a large plume of black smoke. More than 25 firefighters attended, with no injuries or impact on train operations reported.

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

### Veolia

**Contracts, safety and infrastructure shaped Veolia’s shifting visibility**

Veolia ranked 2nd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (25.2%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 181 mentions and a net tone of +34.

Veolia recorded 181 mentions from January to September, ranking second on both its 25.2% average monthly share and its 24.5% pooled share of tracked-company mentions. Its visibility was strongest competitively in April, when it ranked first, and May, when it ranked second, but it ended the window third as tracked-company mentions across the six companies increased. January’s 34.9% share combined operational scrutiny, including the Dover street-cleansing incident and Hollingdean fire-safety concerns, with the Telford reuse scheme and Isle of Wight contract discussions. February’s fall to 23% and third place came despite reporting on more than £1bn of council contracts secured or extended in 2025, the Padworth recycling operation and a US$1.3bn heat-network pipeline. Veolia returned to second in March on 29.1%, as stories included its rapid illegal-waste clearance service, the end of Sheffield industrial action and a proposed £2.3m Hollingdean upgrade. It moved into first place in April with a 37.3% share, while independent reporting covered the Isle of Wight contract, Richard Kirkman’s appointment and the Data Centre Resource 360 service. The company moved to second in May even as its share fell to 27%; coverage ranged from the Southwark facility upgrade to the proposed composting site near Whitchurch and another battery fire in a collection vehicle. It remained second in June and third in July, alongside reporting on nitrous-oxide damage, a health innovation award, the East London Waste Authority contract and compensation over the disposal of a protest banner. August brought a partial share recovery to 21.8%, with the Sheffield carbon-capture trial, the Surrey contract and PFAS-destruction testing broadening the agenda towards infrastructure and environmental technology. September’s volume was unchanged at 19, but share fell to 15.7% as tracked-company mentions across the six companies rose to 121; stories included the £183m East London contract, the sale of Veolia’s Rookery South stake and the evacuation of its Telford recycling centre.

Key messages:

- Veolia accounted for 24.5% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Recycling & Circular Economy and Operations, Safety & Incidents.
- Visibility peaked in April 2026 at 37.3%, compared with 15.7% in September 2026.
- January 2026: Veolia and Telford and Wrekin Council’s resale events had diverted an estimated 150 tonnes of goods since 2023, reported by BBC News.

Leading themes:

- Recycling & Circular Economy: 26.5% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 1.1, net tone +44)
- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 20.4% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 1.15, net tone −38)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 18.8% of Veolia's coverage (theme index 0.89, net tone +44)

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.
- 5 March 2026, watford.gov.uk: [Council and Veolia introduce food waste collections to 10,500 additional properties](https://www.watford.gov.uk/news/article/944/council-and-veolia-introduce-food-waste-collections-to-10-500-additional-properties). Veolia and Watford Borough Council extended food-waste collections to 10,500 communal properties, completing borough-wide coverage of 46,000 households. The rollout supports England's March 2026 weekly food-waste collection requirement.

Notable negative coverage:

- 28 July 2026, theguardian.com: [Led By Donkeys wins compensation over seizure of Gaza protest banner](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/28/led-by-donkeys-compensation-seizure-gaza-protest-banner-london). Veolia agreed to pay compensation after a Gaza protest banner it had collected and stored for the Greater London Authority deteriorated and was disposed of at a depot. Veolia said the disposal followed an unintentional health-and-safety hazard.
- 25 July 2026, bbc.com: [Batford bin lorry fire prompts battery warning](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgjep658n8o). A Veolia bin lorry caught fire in Batford after a battery in collected household waste was believed to ignite. Veolia warned that incorrectly discarded lithium-ion batteries pose a serious operational fire risk.
- 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.

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

### Suez UK

**Contracts, circularity and operational pressure reshape SUEZ UK’s profile**

Suez UK ranked 3rd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (24.9%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 180 mentions and a net tone of +18.

SUEZ UK recorded 180 mentions from January to September, ranking third by both its 24.3% pooled share and 24.9% average monthly share of tracked-company mentions. Its competitive position varied materially within that result: it ranked first in February, July and August, second in September and third in the other five months. January established a mixed agenda spanning Devon’s contract renewal, interim operation of Aberdeen’s NESS energy-from-waste facility and the Haverton Hill investigation. February’s move to first place coincided with coverage of plans for a new Blackburn reuse shop, Cornwall’s reuse network and frontline operations in Doncaster and Ashford. Recycling and reuse remained prominent in March and April through the King’s visit to the Renew Hub, Cornwall’s reuse shops and the Devon coffee-pod partnership, even as SUEZ returned to third place. May brought a broader corporate and operational agenda, including the Avonmouth sorting-system installation, the £396 million Milton Keynes contract and fires linked to batteries and vapes. The measured share fell in June, when stories included the signing of the Milton Keynes agreement, operational disruption in South Gloucestershire and SUEZ’s contribution to discussion of recycling reforms. July produced the period’s highest monthly share and volume, alongside extensive reporting on missed collections, the Avonmouth fire, vape-related fire risks and construction of the £35 million Ellington anaerobic-digestion plant. SUEZ remained first in August as reuse and procurement stories sat alongside landfill fires and further scrutiny of South Gloucestershire collections. By September it ranked second, with coverage ranging from Deposit Return Scheme contract wins and North Tyneside reuse to the estimated £30 million Avonmouth repair bill and the end of its East Devon collections contract.

Key messages:

- Suez UK accounted for 24.3% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Recycling & Circular Economy and Collections, Councils & Contracts.
- Visibility peaked in July 2026 at 39.5%, compared with 15.5% in March 2026.
- January 2026: Devon County Council renewed SUEZ’s £10 million-a-year recycling-centre and transfer-station contract — letsrecycle.com.

Leading themes:

- Recycling & Circular Economy: 28.3% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.2, net tone +75)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 24.4% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.27, net tone −5)
- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 19.4% of Suez UK's coverage (theme index 1.08, net tone −51)

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:

- 9 September 2026, metro.co.uk: ['Refuse workers broke my bin - why should I have to pay for new one?'](https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/09/refuse-workers-broke-bin-pay-new-one-29567932/). An Ashford resident disputed a charge for replacing a recycling bin he said was damaged during collection. Ashford Borough Council subsequently apologised and agreed to supply a free replacement; Suez is the borough's waste operator.
- 9 September 2026, mirror.co.uk: [Binmen broke man's bin then council told him to pay £34 for a new one](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/binmen-broke-mans-bin-council-37641859). An Ashford resident alleged that refuse collectors damaged his recycling bin before the council initially sought a £34 replacement charge. The council later said the charge was issued in error and agreed to replace the bin free of charge; Suez operates waste collections in the borough.
- 16 July 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Fire crews continue to dampen 'significant' fire at Avonmouth recycling centre](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg316kmvxmo). Fire crews continued damping down a significant fire at Suez’s Avonmouth recycling centre in Bristol. An investigation into the cause will begin after the incident concludes.

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

### FCC Environment

**Contracts and site incidents reshape FCC Environment’s year-to-date profile**

FCC Environment ranked 4th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (10.4%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 78 mentions and a net tone of +10.

FCC Environment ranked fourth from January to September on both its 10.4% average monthly share and 10.5% pooled share of tracked-company mentions. January’s two references placed the company within wider sector coverage, while February’s sole article concerned 3C Waste’s Llanddulas quarry-extension application and residents’ objections. Its share rose by 7.1 percentage points to 8.7% in March, when reporting covered the Lincolnshire Energy Waste Facility expansion, Dartford pay negotiations and operational criticism at Gloucestershire’s energy-from-waste plant. April’s share increased to 15.3% as FCC Environment’s report on political uncertainty appeared alongside the Dartford pay settlement, Eastcroft district-heating discussions, a Northampton reuse project and community funding. The share was 14.3% in May, with the 12-year Kent contract and changes at the Stewartby rail site among the principal developments. It rose to 15.6% in June as volume rose to 12, alongside the planned end of the West Devon contract, a battery-related Costessey fire, a Dudley plant evacuation and objections to the proposed Darrington quarry extension. July’s share fell by 6.3 percentage points to 9.3%, although reporting included the eight-year Dartford fleet agreement, a Northwich clean-up and an event at the Gloucestershire facility. August’s share recovered to 11.5%, with coverage spanning the Greatmoor plant’s tenth anniversary, a baby-item reuse partnership, the early closure of Grunty Fen landfill and several site fires. September produced the period’s largest volume at 18 mentions and a 14.9% share, as the £50.5 million Harborough contract and Welbeck closure timetable appeared alongside extensive reporting on the Appleford Sidings fire, smoke and regulatory scrutiny. Across the window, FCC Environment’s profile moved from sparse contextual visibility to a broader mix of contracts, infrastructure, policy, reuse and community initiatives, before operational incidents became more prominent late in the period.

Key messages:

- FCC Environment accounted for 10.5% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #4-#5 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Operations, Safety & Incidents and Collections, Councils & Contracts.
- Visibility peaked in June 2026 at 15.6%, compared with 1.6% in February 2026.
- February 2026: 3C Waste sought a ten-year extension for limited quarrying at Llanddulas, reported by Daily Post.

Leading themes:

- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 23.1% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 1.29, net tone −78)
- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 16.7% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 0.79, net tone +8)
- Recycling & Circular Economy: 11.5% of FCC Environment's coverage (theme index 0.44, net tone +78)

Notable positive coverage:

- 1 July 2026, letsrecycle.com: [Fiveways secures eight-year FCC fleet contract in Dartford](https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/fiveways-secures-eight-year-fcc-fleet-contract-in-dartford/). FCC Environment has agreed an eight-year fleet delivery and maintenance partnership with Fiveways Municipal Hire for its Dartford waste collection and street-cleansing services. The deal supports replacement vehicles and service continuity under FCC's council contract.
- 21 September 2026, resourcemedia.eco: [Harborough awards £50.5m environmental services contract to FCC](https://resourcemedia.eco/newsfeed/harborough-awards-505m-environmental-services-contract-to-fcc). Harborough District Council has awarded FCC Recycling UK a seven-year environmental services contract worth about £50.5m, beginning in April 2027. FCC will provide waste collection, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and weekly food-waste collections.
- 31 August 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Wollaston charity supports donations of preloved baby items](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17j08vjlwxo). FCC Environment, West Northamptonshire Council and Baby Basics are partnering to collect donated pre-loved baby items at Northamptonshire recycling centres. The initiative aims to reuse items for families in need.

Notable negative coverage:

- 21 September 2026, witneygazette.co.uk: [Smoke smell sweeps Oxfordshire after fire at landfill site](https://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/26568647.smoke-smell-sweeps-oxfordshire-blaze-landfill-site/). A significant fire in a waste pile at FCC Environment's Sutton Courtenay landfill has caused continuing smoke and odour complaints from nearby Oxfordshire residents. FCC Environment, the Environment Agency and fire service said they were monitoring the incident and working to resolve it safely.
- 28 September 2026, oxfordmail.co.uk: [Landfill site fire finally extinguished after 12 days](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/26587391.didcot-landfill-fire-finally-extinguished-12-days/). A fire at FCC Environment's Appleford Sidings composting and landfill site near Didcot was extinguished after 12 days. The Environment Agency is investigating the cause, potential permit breaches and possible enforcement action following smoke and odour impacts on residents.
- 22 September 2026, bbc.com: [Residents 'upset' over landfill site controlled burn](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmrl6w3n8jxeo). A fire at FCC Environment's Appleford Sidings landfill site in Sutton Courtenay is being managed through controlled burning. Residents reported smoke, ash and health concerns, while agencies said the approach was the safest option for the incident.

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

### Grundon

**Grundon broadened its profile through contracts, infrastructure and recycled aggregates**

Grundon ranked 5th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (5.3%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 42 mentions and a net tone of +64.

Grundon recorded 42 mentions from January to September, representing 5.7% of tracked-company mentions and placing fifth on both pooled and 5.3% average monthly share. Its best monthly rank was fourth in February, when reporting centred on Bristol growth, the Ashton Gate appointment and operational investment. Visibility then narrowed sharply in March, whose sole item was a contextual mention in an industry awards shortlist, with no measured Grundon Waste Management mentions in April. Measured share rose to 4.8% in May and 6.5% in June; contemporaneous stories included the opening of the Bristol waste transfer station and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recycling contract. July added the Bristol Cathedral agreement, electric collection vehicles and a RoSPA Gold safety award, combining commercial expansion with fleet and operational subjects. August produced broader exposure, including the electric fleet, the New Barn Farm Quarry permit, a community partnership and community activity, alongside a fire at the Ford transfer station. September delivered the period’s highest volume and share, with 16 mentions and 13.2%, while Grundon remained fifth. The principal development centred on Grundon that month was the £2.6m Regolite recycled-aggregates joint venture, reported across five article copies. Much of the remaining September visibility consisted of contextual mentions in wider reporting on the Deposit Return Scheme, RWM sessions, awards and sector round-ups. Across the window, Grundon’s profile expanded from regional contracts and growth into infrastructure, fleet electrification and recycled aggregates, although its competitive rank settled at fifth from May onwards.

Key messages:

- Grundon accounted for 5.7% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #4-#6 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Collections, Councils & Contracts and Other.
- Visibility peaked in September 2026 at 13.2%, compared with 0% in January 2026.
- February 2026: Grundon’s appointment as waste-management partner for Ashton Gate Stadium, reported by Bristol24/7.

Leading themes:

- Collections, Councils & Contracts: 21.4% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 1.05, net tone +100)
- Other: 21.4% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 4.82, net tone +44)
- Recycling & Circular Economy: 19.0% of Grundon's coverage (theme index 0.76, net tone +100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 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.
- 24 May 2026, bristol247.com: [Operations begin at Grundon’s new waste transfer station](https://www.bristol247.com/business/better-business/operations-begin-at-grundons-new-waste-transfer-station/). Grundon has begun operating a new waste transfer station in St Philip's Marsh, Bristol. The site is expected to handle up to 50,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste annually and create additional jobs.

Notable negative coverage:

- 17 August 2026, sussexexpress.co.uk: [Fire service tackles blaze at waste transfer site in Ford](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/emergency-incident/fire-service-tackles-blaze-at-waste-transfer-site-in-ford-8920974). A fire at Grundon's waste transfer station in Ford prompted a major emergency response and ongoing smoke precautions for nearby residents. Grundon confirmed all personnel were safe and noted battery disposal as a wider fire risk.
- 17 August 2026, sussexexpress.co.uk: [Fire service tackles blaze impacting 'approximately 300 tonnes of waste'](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/emergency-incident/fire-service-tackles-blaze-at-waste-transfer-site-in-ford-approximately-300-tonnes-of-waste-well-alight-8920974). A blaze involving about 300 tonnes of waste at Grundon's Ford waste transfer station was managed through a controlled burn before being extinguished. No injuries were reported, and the site was handed back to the responsible person.

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

### Cory

**London heat-network funding capped Cory’s infrastructure-led coverage**

Cory ranked 6th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (1.2%) in the UK Waste & Recycling benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 10 mentions and a net tone of +40.

Cory recorded 10 mentions from January to September 2026, appearing in five of nine measured months and ranking sixth by both its 1.4% pooled share and 1.2% average monthly share of tracked-company mentions. January opened at 2.4% and joint fourth place as London Post reported that Riverside 2 had connected to London’s electricity grid. February fell to 1.6% and joint fifth place, when The Independent covered the 670,000 nitrous oxide canisters found at Cory’s riverside facility, including 4,000 that exploded. In March, Cory was fifth with a 1.9% share: an FT transcript discussed its southeast London energy-from-waste development, while The Ecologist challenged the Belvedere expansion and proposed carbon-capture project. After no measured mentions from April to June, July brought a 1.2% share and sixth place as Autonoción reported plans for the London Strategic Heat Main using surplus heat from Belvedere; August had no measured mentions. September produced Cory’s highest monthly volume, with four mentions and a 3.3% share, although it ranked sixth; New Civil Engineer and Partnerships Bulletin reported £53.1m of government funding for two RHN Developments heat-network projects, while Yahoo Finance covered the associated Thames barge proposal. The remaining September article was wider sector coverage from the Eastern Daily Press, which referred contextually to compensation paid to Cory Wheelabrator after the cancellation of an earlier Norfolk incinerator proposal.

Key messages:

- Cory accounted for 1.4% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #4-#6 among 6.
- Coverage concentrated on Energy from Waste & Infrastructure and Operations, Safety & Incidents.
- Visibility peaked in September 2026 at 3.3%, compared with 0% in April 2026.
- Riverside 2 connected to London’s electricity grid — London Post

Leading themes:

- Energy from Waste & Infrastructure: 90.0% of Cory's coverage (theme index 14.6, net tone +56)
- Operations, Safety & Incidents: 10.0% of Cory's coverage (theme index 0.54, net tone −100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 24 September 2026, partnershipsbulletin.com: [Cory secures £53m for London heat network projects](https://www.partnershipsbulletin.com/article/1970800/cory-secures-53m-london-heat-network-projects). Cory subsidiary RHN Developments has secured £53.14m of UK government funding for two London heat-network projects.
- 24 September 2026, newcivilengineer.com: [Two London low-carbon heating proposals receive combined £53.1M from government](https://www.newcivilengineer.com/uncategorized/two-london-low-carbon-heating-proposals-receive-combined-53-1m-from-government-24-09-2026/). Cory Group subsidiary RHN Developments has received £53.1m in government funding for the London Strategic Heat Main and Riverside Heat Network. The schemes would use surplus low-carbon heat from Cory's Belvedere Riverside Campus, initially including heat transported by Thames barges.
- 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.

Notable negative coverage:

- 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-ytd?entity=cory&view=deep-dive)
- [Cory PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-ytd/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 – H1 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-h1.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", 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026), published 4 October 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-waste-recycling-2026-ytd