Veolia takes over Isle of Wight waste contract after Thalia's early exit. Veolia has begun a two-year, £225 million waste and recycling contract with Isle of Wight Council covering more than 73,000 properties, after previous provider Thalia Waste Management exited its 25-year deal early. Collection routines for residents stay unchanged during the transition.
The new contract, which began on 1 April 2026, covers kerbside collections, two household waste recycling centres, an energy recovery facility and a materials recovery facility. Thalia Waste Management's original 25-year contract with the council was awarded in 2015 at a value of £225 million, replacing an 18-year arrangement with Biffa. Natasha Dix, the council's service director for waste, environment and planning, said collection routines for residents would stay exactly the same during the handover to Veolia.
Packaging firm Pact Group has invested in Plan B Circular, the UK textile-to-textile polyester recycler behind Project Re:claim, its joint venture with the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). The deal aims to scale polyester recycling ahead of EU legislation expected in 2028.
Sixteen international partners led by Danish Technological Institute have launched InFACT, a project to turn household flexible plastic waste such as crisp packets, coffee bags and meat films into new packaging, including food packaging. Less than 15 per cent of this material is currently recycled.