CIRQLR Group has completed its eighth acquisition in two years with the purchase of Surrey-based Chambers Waste Management on 31 March 2025, bringing together regional recycling operators across eastern England.

The company now handles 600,000 tonnes of recycling materials annually across 19 facilities with 600 staff and reports an annual turnover of £150 million.

David Palmer-Jones OBE, CEO of CIRQLR, said: "A generational step change in how we manage business waste is underway, supported by the implementation of positive regulatory changes over the next five years."

Palmer-Jones, who previously served as Group Senior Vice President of SUEZ Europe from 2019-2022 and CEO of SUEZ UK from 2008-2019, established CIRQLR in late 2022 with backing from funds advised by iCON Infrastructure LLP.

Regional integration

The acquisition strategy has focused on creating regional coverage through established waste management companies, serving 15,000 business customers from the Humber to the South Coast.

Chambers' addition strengthens the group's presence in the South-East alongside other subsidiaries including Wilrose and Cox Skips/The Recycling Partnership.

Additional coverage includes East Anglia through Ellgia, north and central London via KP Waste and Eco Waste, while Castle Environmental provides hazardous waste services nationally.

Jeff Gardner, director at BDO, which provides corporate finance advice to the group, said: "These acquisitions represent an exciting time for the sector, providing much needed capital investment and skills development to the industry."

The business model maintains established regional brands while integrating operations. Jack Lavington, Ellgia Managing Director, explained: "Becoming part of the CIRQLR group gives Ellgia not only the best opportunity to accelerate its development but also to keep delivering the service levels and solutions for which it is renowned."

Philip Stone, SELECT Environmental founder and managing director, added: "I was attracted by the vision of CIRQLR which places customer service excellence at the heart of everything it does."

The formation of this new recycling group coincides with regulatory changes in the waste sector. The introduction of Simpler Recycling rules in April 2025 requires greater separation of recycling materials at business premises.

These changes, alongside planned Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and nationwide Deposit Return Schemes, are expected to increase recyclable material capture rates.

Government stats, cited by CIRQLR, show the UK recycling rate has stagnated over five years, with municipal sector rates declining from 45.2 percent in England in 2017 to 43.4 percent in 2022.

England generated approximately 33.6 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in 2022, forming a substantial proportion of the country's 163 million tonnes of annual waste.

Palmer-Jones said: "With a government now willing to put into action the clarity and stability of regulation needed to stimulate investment and growth in recycling, there is scope to further develop CIRQLR as a significant shaper of the commercial and industrial markets."

The company states it aims to double its revenue, expand geographical coverage, and invest in facilities while developing its workforce, as part of its response to regulatory reforms affecting business waste management.