Brand refresh for Recycling Lives

• Firm unveils new look and feel to reflect unique business model and commitment to its people and the planet 
• ‘We make doing good, good business’ new strapline for leading recycling and waste management organisation 

Recycling and waste management company Recycling Lives has today announced a brand refresh, including a new brand strategy and evolved messaging, along with a new website, brand film and strapline that truly reflects its purpose, beliefs, and goals. 

The new look and feel, developed in conjunction with its employees and clients, has been designed to tell the story of a ‘small northern’ social enterprise that expanded to become a sector leader in social sustainability, environmental innovation, and the recycling services it provides.   

These three ‘core pillars’, Social Value, Environmental Innovation and ‘Good Business’, form the backbone of the refresh, with new strapline, “We make doing good, good business”, developed to convey the firm’s passion and commitment to creating tangible positive impact across local communities and the wider global environment as part of its commercial success. 

The approach is underpinned by a celebration of the people who work at Recycling Lives, whose commitment and personalities represent ‘who’ the firm is, what it does, and where it wants to be. 

The news comes just weeks after Recycling Lives achieved B Corp certification, having also won several sector and environmental awards for its innovation work last year, and just days after revealing plans to open a new battery treatment site having been awarded ABTO (Approved Battery Treatment Operator) status by the UK government. 

Claire Miller, brand director of Recycling Lives, said: “Recycling Lives as a business has undergone an exciting journey over recent years, placing positive impact for each of our business pillars at the heart of the business – none of the pillars takes place without the others.

"It’s important that the brand reflects the trajectory we’re on, as we move into the next generation of circular economy business. More important is to have a brand which communicates the social and sustainable purpose at the core of the business, alongside the people who make us who we are today.”  

Gerry Marshall, CEO of Recycling Lives, agrees: “Since 2008 we’ve been operating with a social value model at our core. The social value of the business has always been a key differentiator for us and underpins all business areas, and business decisions, so it stands to reason it should play a big part in brand positioning and marketing, alongside the emphasis we place on environmental sustainability, R&D, and strong commercial offerings, especially given the topical nature of recycling in today’s world.” 

The UK firm head-quartered in Preston, has seen significant growth and expansion over recent years, last year acquiring Glasgow-based John R Adam and Sons ltd.  Now employing over 550 people across 23 sites in the UK, Recycling Lives provides sector-leading commercial services across Vehicle Processing, Metal Recycling, Producer Responsibility Compliance and Environmental Services (also known as Total Waste Management), each process working intrinsically with its environmental innovation and social value programmes. 

The firm generates around 600,000 tonnes of high-quality shredded steel a year from its operations and is also the largest vehicle processor in the UK, responsibly recycling upwards of 180,000 cars a year. 

The business’ online presence has been improved with new website (www.recyclinglives.com) which showcases the new look and feel, and a new brand film places a special focus on its people; highlighting the role they have played in building the brands identity and its continued evolution.  

Claire Miller, brand director of Recycling Lives, added: “It’s important to recognise that at every point of the journey, the people have been the key influencer to the Recycling Lives brand progression. It’s all about the attitude, personalities and passion behind the team that make it all work. 

RECYCLING LIVES IS A RECYCLING COMPANY WITH A DIFFERENCE.   

Grown around its belief in social sustainability, Recycling Lives leads the charge in the next wave of circular economy business models where social value and environmental innovation sit at the heart of its purpose, along with excellent service and competitive business offerings.    

Playing a critical role in the UK’s circular economy, Recycling Lives helps its customers reduce, reuse and recycle across automotive, manufacturing, construction, retail, utility, public sector, domestic markets and more.    

In December 2022, Recycling Lives achieved B Corp accreditation – attaining an impressive score of 137.9 and exceeding the necessary qualifying score of 80. For impact on Environment, the business exceeded the sector benchmark score by 129%, and in Governance by over 117%.  

Scoring significantly higher than suggested benchmarks, this puts the business amongst the top performing B Corps globally, demonstrated by its commitment to the highest levels of environmental performance and work with disadvantaged groups and ex-offenders. 

The business employs over 550 people across 23 centres in the UK and is centred around a unique social value model which is focused on embedding value in local communities to provide benefits from inside out. For more information see www.recyclinglives.com