Our 30 year history reflects continuous investment in recycling innovation, infrastructure and people.
This timeline showcases the defining moments of our journey — including major operational expansions, new processing technologies and sustainability initiatives that have strengthened our position as a trusted waste management partner.
Explore how we’ve evolved — and how we’re continuing to innovate for the future.
Our story began in 1995 on a family farm in Brampton, founded by Rick Allan alongside his late father, Roy Allan, and his mum, Pam. From day one, the ambition was simple, to provide reliable waste solutions for local people and businesses, and to do things differently, with a commitment to reducing environmental impact and creating long-term value for the community.
That same ambition continues today under Rick’s leadership as Managing Director.
In the early days, North West Recycling operated a soil and stone landfill. It soon became clear that the stone itself held value, sparking the start of local aggregate supply. This was followed by the addition of a skip trailer on the back of a Subaru pickup, a modest but pivotal step that marked the beginning of the company’s recycling and collections journey. As the customer base grew, so did the investment: 36 skips, a Yellow Pages advert, and a full commitment to build what would become one of Cumbria’s longest-standing waste businesses.
In 2016, we constructed a custom processing plant in Unit A to handle wood waste for Egger. The system was designed to maximise material separation and recycling performance.
We successfully managed this waste stream until 2021 when the contract was lost due to undercutting by a competitor. However, in 2024 Egger returned after being let down elsewhere. The contract was reinstated, highlighting the strength of our service and reliability.
Our journey into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) began in 2016 when we built a new separation plant at Unit B using equipment from Waste Systems Ltd. This formed the foundation for future SRF processing.
In 2017, we joined forces with Mach Tech Services, the UK provider of Lindner shredders, and became the first UK site to install their new Polaris shredder. Supplied free of charge as part of a product launch, this was a game-changer.
By 2020, the Polaris was replaced with a Jupiter pre-shredder, and we incorporated the high-speed Komet shredder into the process. This upgrade allowed us to meet the volume and quality standards for our long-term partnership with Waste Knot Energy. We now provide 50,000 tonnes of SRF per year for pellet production.
In 2016 and 2017, we revamped our approach to people, health, and safety. This included a full rewrite of HR and safety policies, a structured induction program, and the introduction of the “Shift Safe Start” culture initiative.
Between 2023 and 2024, we introduced a new management and supervisor structure. Staff numbers have nearly doubled, and the team now benefits from clearer leadership, career development, and stronger support systems.
With strong performance in SRF and future growth on the horizon, we developed plans for a major extension to Unit B. The design featured a dedicated reception area for incoming waste and space for two new SRF processing lines.
The expansion would allow us to handle 350,000 tonnes of waste per year and required a full planning application. Approval was granted in 2021 and has formed the basis of our permit variation request to increase our annual waste capacity from 150,000 to 600,000 tonnes.
In 2018, we began focused research and development to recover small aggregates lost in skip waste. We built an in-house air knife system to test air separation between light and heavy waste fractions.
By 2019, we partnered with Impact Air Systems and trialled a more advanced solution. The result was the installation of our first Zac Unit, a high-efficiency air density separator. It significantly improved recovery of 30mm materials and played a key role in helping us secure the Dumfries and Galloway waste contract.
In 2020, we added a second Zac Unit and reconfigured the plant to separate materials up to 65mm. Our glass and stone line can now process 10 tonnes of material per hour. It handles waste from skip lines and also takes direct feed streams, maximising flexibility and throughput.
As contracts and tonnages increased, we outgrew a single-day shift operation. In 2019, we secured planning permission for a double-shift system, increasing processing to 16 hours per day.
We also introduced a dedicated night maintenance and cleaning team, ensuring daily operational readiness and reducing downtime. This change has helped us maximise productivity and maintain high safety standards.
In 2021, Brampton Skip Hire officially rebranded as North West Recycling, marking a significant transformation in both name and ambition. What began in 1995 as a local skip hire business had evolved into one of Cumbria’s largest and most forward-thinking waste management companies.
The rebrand reflected more than just a change in logo. It represented a shift in focus toward delivering fully integrated, end-to-end waste management solutions. By that point, our 30-acre Rockcliffe site had grown to include advanced recycling systems, skip and container services, and a renewable fuel facility under development.
The former Brampton Skip Hire name was gradually phased out throughout 2021, as the new North West Recycling identity rolled out across our fleet, facilities, and communications.
This new brand also aligned with our £40 million investment into future infrastructure and the creation of around 60 new local jobs. It followed the launch of our partnership with Waste Knot Energy, which gave us the ability to supply 50,000 tonnes of SRF annually to produce renewable fuel.
As founder Rick Allan explained at the time, this change was driven by a clear purpose: to reduce Cumbria’s reliance on landfill, improve recycling rates, and support the region’s push to cut carbon emissions. The rebrand marked the start of a new chapter, rooted in local values but focused on long-term sustainability and innovation.
With strong performance in SRF and future growth on the horizon, we developed plans for a major extension to Unit B. The design featured a dedicated reception area for incoming waste and space for two new SRF processing lines.
The expansion would allow us to handle 350,000 tonnes of waste per year and required a full planning application. Approval was granted in 2021 and has formed the basis of our permit variation request to increase our annual waste capacity from 150,000 to 600,000 tonnes.
Over the past 18 months, we have developed plans for a state-of-the-art gasification plant and syngas-powered combined heat and power (CHP) engines.
The facility will use 24,000 tonnes of dried SRF each year, operating at high temperatures to convert waste into syngas. This clean-burning fuel, made from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, will power spark-ignition engines that generate electricity and heat.
The system is designed to:
We have secured a SWIP Schedule 13A permit. Planning permission is currently under appeal, but we are ready to proceed once approved.
From inventing separation systems to designing advanced energy solutions, our journey has always been about creating value from waste. Every line we have built and every permit we have secured reflects our belief that waste is not the end of the line — it is the start of something better.
With our permit variation application in progress and our rebrand on the way, North West Recycling is ready to lead the next era of sustainable waste management.
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