SUEZ retains Devon recycling and re-use contract
Starting in April 2026, the contract, which is worth around £10m per year, will see SUEZ extend its 14-year partnership with the council for the next five years, with a potential extension of an additional five years.
The contract will see SUEZ supporting Devon County Council’s progress towards a circular economy, with a continued focus on maximising re-use, improving recycling performance, and delivering high-quality, customer-focused recycling services for residents.
Re-use has been a central feature of the partnership with Devon County Council. SUEZ operates re-use shops at 17 of the council’s 18 HWRCs, collectively saving more than 10,000 tonnes of material from disposal and bringing it back into productive use. The company will continue to champion re-use and repair throughout the life of the new contract, supporting the Council’s long-term vision for a more circular local economy.
SUEZ is already a part of local communities across the county and employs over 147 people from the area, creating local opportunities through immersion days, apprenticeships, and employability initiatives aimed at helping people develop skills and access sustainable employment.
John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK said: “We’re delighted to retain the contract to manage 18 of Devon’s recycling centres and two transfer stations. “This award is testament to a successful partnership and shared vision with the County Council which has seen recycling and recovery rates rise to 80%. We look forward to continuing to work together to make the council’s ambition of a circular economy for Devon a reality, and to supporting the local economy and communities through skills training, volunteering and supplying high quality pre-loved goods.”
Councillor Jacqui Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity with responsibility for Waste Management said: “Devon County Council is pleased to be continuing its successful partnership with SUEZ. Building on our current significant achievements, we will see even more re-use, re-sale, repair and recycling across our network of Household Waste Recycling Centres, which are already one of the best performing in the Country. It’s also great to see that SUEZ will be further enhancing their Social Value commitments including working with an abundance of local charities and community groups as well as offering training and employment opportunities to Devon Care Leavers as part of the Councils Corporate Parenting initiative.”