Biffa and WasteAid: A powerful partnership for six years and counting

While Biffa’s focus is in the UK, reducing waste to tackle climate change and prevent further environmental damage is a global challenge.

That is why, since 2019, Biffa is proud to partner with WasteAid, an independent UK charity set up by waste management professionals to share practical and low-cost waste management knowledge with communities affected by waste.  

Whether it’s the UK or Uganda, it’s vital people manage their waste in a more sustainable manner, including re-using as much as possible and diverting waste into recycling and recovery, with all the long-term environmental and economic benefits that brings. 

Biffa works with WasteAid in three core areas: 

• To raise awareness of the work being done by WasteAid to tackle the problem in lower and middle-income countries.
• To raise money to support this vital work and enable WasteAid to deliver more projects worldwide.
• To share Biffa’s expertise in sustainable waste management and the circular economy. 

This proud partnership continues to give back to communities around the world impacted by the waste crisis and where people in poverty are empowered to recover its value.

Below, Peter Hallard, Biffa’s Group Director of Learning & Organisational Development, shines a light on the impact of the proud partnership so far. 

Hi Peter. There is a genuine sense of shared purpose between WasteAid and Biffa. How has this developed through the partnership? 

We share a common purpose: to change the way people think about waste to tackle the global challenge of pollution and climate change. 

Whether it’s the UK or Uganda, it’s vital people manage their waste in a more sustainable manner, including re-using as much as possible and diverting waste into recycling and recovery, with all the long-term environmental and economic benefits that brings. 

This continued support has enabled WasteAid to expand from four projects in four countries to more than 12 programmes in nine countries across Africa and Asia. 

Biffa staff have been fantastic fundraisers for WasteAid. How else have they got involved? 

Since 2019, teams from across Biffa have raised an incredible £556,551 for WasteAid through activities such as quiz nights, bake sales, sponsored walks and a gala ball. In 2024 alone, we raised more than £120,000. In addition, the company has provided ongoing corporate sponsorship. 

Alongside fundraising and financial support, Biffa employees contribute their passion, time and technical expertise to help WasteAid deliver waste management and recycling programmes where they are most needed. Our trip to the Gambia last year is an example of this. 

What was the purpose of the visit to the Gambia? 

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet the network of entrepreneurs, innovators and local government officials who, facilitated by WasteAid’s programme, are all working together to find solutions to the issues of mismanaged waste and a low collection and recycling infrastructure. 

We met a cooperative of women gardeners who have received training and equipment so they can make sustainable fuel briquettes from ground coconut husks and peanut shells.  

We also visited the beachside fishing community of Tanji, where residents have formed a business called Seneya – which means 'cleanliness' – to collect and sell discarded plastic for recycling, instead of burning it. Selling waste plastic means they can send their children to school with breakfast and lunch each day.   

The Gambia visit demonstrates that while waste management is still a luxury there, small scale can work, particularly when people are empowered to innovate and have a vision for their future.