Why the Waste Sector Needs a New Way to Measure Value and What £32m Reveals

Beyond Cost Per Tonne: Rethinking Value in Waste Management

Earlstrees Industrial Estate, Corby, United Kingdom – May 9, 2026 / Axil /

The company says current procurement models, typically focused on cost, tonnage and compliance, risk overlooking wider contributions made through supply chains, employment and reuse activity.

Using the Social Value TOMS (Themes, Outcomes and Measures) framework, Axil calculated that between 2024 and 2025 its operations delivered:

Local supply chain spend driving regional value

Millions generated through employment and operational activity in local economies

Tens of thousands surplus goods and assets redistributed to VCSEs, supporting 1,100+ charities

Apprenticeships and accredited training creating workforce capability

Paid volunteering supporting VCSEs, education and community projects

VCSE suppliers embedded in supply chains, including employment of 15+ marginalised individuals

These outcomes were delivered through operational activity within existing contracts, rather than standalone social value programmes.

Industry challenge

Despite increasing pressure on organisations to demonstrate ESG impact, waste and resource contracts are still largely assessed on cost and operational performance.

Axil argues this creates a disconnect between what is delivered on the ground and what is measured, potentially undervaluing suppliers who contribute more broadly to local economies and communities.

Most contracts continue to focus on cost, service levels and compliance, which does not fully capture wider economic value created through supply chains, employment and reuse activity.

The company is encouraging organisations to reconsider how value is measured within waste and resource management contracts, and what is currently being overlooked in disposal-led models.

Iona Beresford, Sustainability Manager at Axil, said: “Too often, value in our sector is reduced to cost per tonne. But that misses a much bigger picture.

“When you start measuring properly, you see the role waste operations play in supporting jobs, local businesses and community organisations. The challenge now is whether procurement models are ready to reflect that.”

Axil is now calling on organisations to review how value is defined within waste and resource contracts and whether current models are capturing the full impact being delivered.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rebecca Miller – Communications and Partnerships Manager

rebecca.miller@axil-is.com 07523 696645

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