Watercycle Technologies secures £1m grant for battery recycling
Watercycle Technologies has secured £1 million in government funding to advance a new approach to recycling lithium-ion batteries and producing battery materials in the UK.
The funding will support the £2 million CAMCYCLE project, which is being delivered through the DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Demonstrate 2 competition.
Led by Watercycle and supported by CPI, the 12-month project aims to create a shorter route from end-of-life batteries to recycled cathode active material (CAM), a key component of electric vehicle batteries.
CAMCYCLE will integrate battery recycling and CAM production into a single process, removing at least three stages typically involved in conventional recycling. It will also recover valuable minerals from wastewater generated during the process.
Watercycle said the project could help retain lithium and other critical minerals in the UK, reducing reliance on international supply chains.
Dr Ahmed Abdelkarim, CSO and co-founder of Watercycle Technologies, commented: “The critical minerals inside end‑of‑life batteries are strategic assets for the UK yet today we export that value overseas and then buy it back at a premium.
“CAMCYCLE shows that the UK doesn’t have to accept this dependency and that we can directly convert black mass to domestic CAM production.”
Biffa expands waste management partnership with KFC
Biffa has retained and expanded its waste management partnership with KFC, covering all non-franchise restaurants across Great Britain.
The agreement will see Biffa provide waste management services across KFC’s full portfolio of equity-owned restaurants, building on its existing relationship with the fast-food chain.
Biffa said its nationwide network and experience in the hospitality sector will allow it to provide tailored collection services across the estate, with the aim of delivering a consistent service to KFC restaurants.
Karen Bradley, head of corporate accounts at Biffa, said the expanded contract was a “testament to the strength” of its relationship with KFC and its ability to deliver services at scale.
She added: “We’re proud to support one of the UK’s most recognisable brands and look forward to building on our partnership as we continue to provide the high-quality service and operational expertise that KFC expects.”
Grundon wins three-year University of Brighton waste contract
Grundon has secured a three-year waste management contract with the University of Brighton, covering its three campuses and around 17,000 students and 2,000 staff.
The contract began on 1 August 2026, following a tender process focused on the university’s ambition to promote a zero-waste culture.
Multiple bin stores for different waste streams have already been installed across 19 locations, alongside food caddies in halls of residence, restaurants and cafés.
Grundon will collect general waste, dry mixed recycling, glass, food waste, WEEE, batteries and hazardous waste under the agreement.
Ella Pearce, Client Engagement and Strategy Manager at Grundon, said analysis of the university’s waste data identified opportunities to improve recycling rates through measures including additional bins, improved signage, waste education and new technologies.
She added: “We are thrilled to be working alongside the university’s sustainability team and supporting their drive towards ‘rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle.”
Grundon’s nearby Ford facility will also help minimise transport distances.
Recorra appointed waste partner for The O2
Recorra has been appointed as the waste and recycling partner for The O2, with the contract commencing on 2 July 2026.
The agreement covers waste and recycling services across the venue’s AEG-managed areas, including dry mixed recycling, food waste, plastics and compostables.
Recorra will introduce new recycling streams and systems designed to improve material segregation and operational efficiency, with a focus on diverting more waste from general disposal and recovering recyclable materials.
Christian Macani, Waste and Recycling Manager at The O2, commented: “We are excited to work together to enhance recycling performance across the venue, continue our commitment to sending zero waste to landfill, support Simpler Recycling compliance, and explore new opportunities to reduce carbon emissions through initiatives such as Recorra’s electric collection fleet and circular economy solutions.”
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