HWR, a family-owned company that has been incorporated since 2002, is one of the leading independent recycling and resource management companies in Scotland, processing over 135,000 tonnes of material annually.

Its processing and recycling business includes wood and plasterboard as well as recycling and diverting over 65,000 mattresses away from landfill every year.

In 2021 HWR became Scotland’s first waste management company to achieve 100% carbon-neutral status. It diverts over 95% of incoming waste from landfill and has invested over £10 million at its state-of-the-art multi award-winning recycling centre at Smeaton, near Edinburgh.

The acquisition of HWR is a significant step for Biffa, expanding its waste capabilities in the construction and demolition sector, further underpinning its commitment to low-carbon collections and material processing.

Biffa is acquiring the entire share capital and will welcome the 100 strong team at HWR into its collections business, along with 49 vehicles and 1,400 new customers including construction groups, restaurants, and local authorities.

Biffa already operates C&D processing facilities in Newcastle, Birmingham and Cardiff. The addition of HWR to the Biffa Group will enhance its services for customers across central Scotland, while enabling it to replicate HWR’s best-in-class C&D processing knowledge across the rest of the UK.

Two quarry restoration sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow do not form part of the acquisition and will remain under the direct control of the Hamilton family.

Maxine Mayhew, chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Hamilton team and customers to the Biffa Group.

“Biffa is the largest collector of waste and recycling in the UK and the addition of HWR’s award-winning capability in the construction and demolition sector will further strengthen our services in this important market.

“HWR’s sustainability credentials are impressive, and we look forward to working together to leverage Biffa’s unique position at the heart of the circular economy, enabling more customers to meet their carbon reduction commitments.”

Robin Stevenson, managing director of Hamilton Waste, added: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of the business and I look forward to working with Biffa as HWR starts this exciting new chapter.

“Our customers will continue to be serviced under the HWR brand, by the same team who are committed to providing the most sustainable service possible, while also being able to draw on Biffa’s extensive pool of resources and expertise.”