United Kingdom Waste Management Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Waste Type (Municipal Waste, Medical Waste, Industrial Waste, and E-waste), By Service Type (Collection, Transportation, and Disposal), and United Kingdom Waste Management Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

United Kingdom Waste Management Market Size Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The United Kingdom Waste Management Market Size Was Estimated at USD 77469.1 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.42% from 2025 to 2035
• The UK Waste Management Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 138470.6 Million by 2035

According to a Research Report Published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the United Kingdom Waste Management Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 138470.6 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.42% from 2025 to 2035. The Waste Management market in the UK is expanding as a result of more stringent environmental legislation, increased recycling targets, a more aware public, and government activities to promote circular economy practices and sustainable disposal methods.

Market Overview

The United Kingdom waste management market involves the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of different types of waste solid, liquid or gas from residential homes, manufacturing, and hazardous waste sources. Waste management is intended for the safe, safe disposal of municipal solid waste, manufacturing waste, and chemical waste. Waste management is crucial for public health and a healthy environment. The rising emphasis on recycling and the implementation of circular economy ideas have a substantial impact on the UK waste management business. Government rules and incentive programs encourage producers to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, resulting in increased investment in recycling infrastructure particularly for plastics, electronics, and construction debris. With growing environmental awareness, both businesses and individuals are adopting sustainable waste methods. Technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) sorting systems and automation are improving efficiency and accuracy in recycling. Waste-to-energy, such as incineration and anaerobic digestion, provide options for diversion from landfills while promoting more renewable energy. The waste industry continues to demonstrate their support of innovative developments through new R&D investments, such as a recent investment partnership by FCC Environment and CARBIOS to develop a PET bio-recycling facility. The industrial and commercial sectors, including construction and retail, are implementing waste reduction practices to improve outcomes. The rising demands for hazardous and e-waste management assistance combined with increased agency commitments to corporate zero-waste policies, represent opportunities for growth in the waste sector.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the United Kingdom waste management market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the United Kingdom waste management market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the United Kingdom waste management market.

Driving Factors

The UK waste management market is driven by stricter government regulations, growing environmental consciousness, and a path to a circular economy. Increased investment in recycling infrastructure, along with technological advances such as artificial-intelligence-based sorting and waste-to-energy solutions, continues to provide further efficiencies and sustainability. Growing industrial and commercial adoption of zero-waste initiatives and specialised trash services, together with public demand for environmentally acceptable garbage disposal methods, is driving market expansion and innovation.

Restraining Factors

The high expense of developing infrastructure and innovative waste treatment technology is a significant barrier to the UK waste management business. Operational difficulties are also brought on by regionally disparate recycling programs, low public involvement, and difficult regulatory compliance. These problems impede consistent application and impede the expansion of the market as a whole.

Market Segmentation

The United Kingdom waste management market share is classified into waste type and service type.

• The industrial waste segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom waste management market is segmented by waste type into municipal waste, medical waste, industrial waste, and e-waste. Among these, the industrial waste segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The amount of industrial waste produced is growing due primarily to urbanisation and industrialisation. The appropriate management of industrial waste is important as improper handling of this waste may potentially harm plant and animals or contaminate freshwater lakes and groundwater.

• The collection segment held the highest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

United Kingdom waste management market is segmented by service type into collection, transportation, and disposal. Among these, the collection segment held the highest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Waste collection included segregation, loading and unloading, selecting an acceptable site, maintaining that site for the purpose of trash storage as close to the waste's source as possible, and then waste maintenance. Waste collection businesses must also consider the regular cleaning and maintenance of waste storage locations. 

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the United Kingdom waste management market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Veolia UK
• Biffa Group
• Viridor (Pennon Group)
• SUEZ UK
• FCC Environment
• Waste Management, Inc.
• FCC Environment
• Renewi
• SITA UK
• Others

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, QMRE launched the Víxla system, a chemical recycling technology in the UK that transforms plastic waste into regenerated energy and plastic. Built on Eagle's ITDU pyrolysis technology, it allows for decentralised processing, minimising the requirement for transportation to central facilities.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the United Kingdom, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the United Kingdom waste management market based on the following segments:

United Kingdom Waste Management Market, By Waste Type

• Municipal Waste
• Medical Waste
• Industrial Waste
• E-waste

United Kingdom Waste Management Market, By Service Type

• Collection
• Transportation
• Disposal