UK households generate an estimated 26 million tonnes of rubbish each year. Once collected by local councils and waste management companies, this waste is sorted and sent to a variety of destinations – recycling centres, treatment facilities, incineration plants, and, unfortunately, landfills.
Despite growing awareness about sustainability, over 70% of UK household waste still ends up in landfills, contributing to land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term environmental harm.
At face value, placing recyclables into the correct bin seems like a straightforward act of environmental responsibility. But what really happens next is far more complex – and sometimes counterproductive.
According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, much of the plastic placed in recycling bins never actually gets recycled. Lightweight plastics are particularly problematic. During transport, they can fall off lorries or be scavenged by wildlife like seagulls. These plastics often break down into harmful microplastics, which can infiltrate our food, water, and air – eventually making their way into the human body.
Moreover, a significant volume of so-called “recyclable” plastics is shipped overseas, particularly to countries in the Global South, where regulatory oversight is weaker. Instead of being responsibly processed, this waste is often dumped, burned, or mishandled, perpetuating environmental injustice on a global scale.
In recent years, more and more plastic waste has been diverted to incineration facilities, often under the guise of “waste-to-energy” solutions. While these plants may generate energy, they also emit toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases, posing serious public health risks and accelerating the climate crisis.
How MYGroup is Changing the Story
At MYGroup, we don’t just manage waste – we transform it into opportunity. As a pioneer in sustainable waste management, ethical recycling, and circular economy innovation, MYGroup offers a radically different approach to dealing with the growing waste crisis.
Rather than relying on outdated systems that send waste to landfill or incineration, we specialise in closed-loop recycling – where materials are recovered, repurposed, and reused to create new products, reducing the demand for virgin resources.
Here’s how MYGroup is making a difference:
Advanced Materials Recovery
We use cutting-edge technology to extract usable materials from waste streams, including hard-to-recycle plastics, electronics (WEEE), and textiles. These materials are reprocessed in-house, ensuring nothing is exported, burned, or dumped.
On-Site Reuse and Remanufacturing
Unlike traditional recyclers, MYGroup has the facilities to remanufacture materials into new products on-site. From turning waste plastics into furniture, to creating new items from reclaimed textiles, we give waste a second life – right here in the UK.
Zero Waste to Landfill
We operate with a zero waste to landfill commitment across our processing operations. This means we divert 100% of the waste we receive from landfill, significantly reducing our clients’ carbon footprints and helping them meet ESG and sustainability goals.
Corporate & Community Solutions
From managing waste for major retail brands to helping local schools and businesses create sustainable waste strategies, we work with a wide range of partners to provide tailored, impact-driven waste solutions.
Promoting the Circular Economy
MYGroup is deeply committed to the principles of the circular economy – designing out waste, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Through education, innovation, and practical action, we help shift businesses and communities away from a “take, make, dispose” model.
Point of sale and display solutions, made entirely from waste materials, from waste plastics turned into MYBoard, to wood and scrap metal; even the lighting and render is reclaimed from waste
Building a More Sustainable Future
The journey of waste doesn’t have to end in a landfill – or up in smoke. At MYGroup, we believe that waste is not an endpoint, but a valuable resource waiting to be reimagined. By combining technology, sustainability, and circular thinking, we’re rewriting the story of what happens to your recyclables – and helping the UK transition to a cleaner, more responsible future.
