Recycling and recovery

SUEZ expands commercial collections business in the UK with acquisition of DCW (Devon Contract Waste)

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has acquired DCW (Devon Contract Waste), a south west based independent recycling and waste management company. Less than a year after completing the acquisition of its former waste management assets, this acquisition confirms SUEZ’s confidence in the UK market and strengthens its position as a global player in the waste sector.

SUEZ’s expansion in the UK market is a key step to meeting its international growth targets as one of the largest waste markets in Europe, the UK is a strategic growth area for SUEZ. With the purchase of DCW, the group is proud to reinforce its footprint in this geographic area, which forms a key part of SUEZ’s international growth ambitions, with a target to reach 40% turnover from international markets by 2027.

DCW a leading independent regional recycling and waste management company Aligned with SUEZ’s commitment to providing customers with access to resilient and innovative waste services, the acquisition of DCW expands SUEZ’s offer in the south west with recycling solutions for food waste, glass, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and confidential data destruction solutions.

Founded in 1989, DCW provides recycling and waste management services to its commercial customer base across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Employees and a fleet of 37 trucks operating out of three depots, and a transfer and sorting operation in Exeter will transfer to SUEZ.

Through this acquisition, SUEZ offers commercial customers in the south west a wider range of services, greater flexibility and a full value chain solution from collection through to recycling and energy recovery throughout its network of facilities across the region.

Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for SUEZ group declared: “Coming just ten months after we re-integrated the recycling and recovery UK business back into SUEZ, the acquisition of DCW is testament to our commitment to realising the opportunities presented by the UK market, a strategic growth area for us. Bringing DCW’s collection and processing business into our operations provides customers with an end-to-end solution for their waste streams.”

John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK added: “With values aligned to SUEZ’s triple bottom line approach and offering excellent customer service, DCW is a great addition to SUEZ’s business. The acquisition will see us develop our regional footprint and create greater flexibility for our customers across the full range of recycling and recovery services we offer. Significant change lies ahead for commercial waste and recycling collections and, with our wealth of experience and in house sector experts, SUEZ are well placed to help DCW’s customers navigate this period of uncertainty whilst continuing to deliver high quality services.”.

Simon Almond, Managing Director for DCW said: “I’m proud to have spent over a quarter of a century building DCW to become a leading independent recycling and waste management operator in the south west. We have been careful to find a buyer for our family business that shares our values and commitment to innovation and outstanding customer service - with its strong regional network, wealth of experience and commitment to enhancing the environment and adding value to the communities where it operates, SUEZ was the natural choice for taking the business forward.”


DCW is a leading provider of commercial waste management services in Devon, Cornwall and central Somerset. The company collects mixed waste from its clients in a single vehicle, reducing the number of journeys made and minimising its CO2 emissions.

DCW is the first company in the South West to offer a Zero to Landfill solution, meaning that all materials that can be recycled, are. In addition to its Zero to Landfill service for mixed commercial waste, DCW also provides specialist waste management services such as data destruction, chemical and WEEE disposal and site clearances.

DCW Polymers is a separate business that is not part of the acquisition and will continue to operate run by the Almond family, to find out more visit www.dcwpolymers.co.uk

Brabners LLP (Mark Rathbone) acted for SUEZ ; Stephens Scown LLP (Catherine Carlton) and Elucid Partners Limited (Dan Rossington) acted for the Sellers.