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New research has uncovered a significant cost-efficiency blind spot in UK manufacturing: waste management.
A national survey commissioned by waste management and recycling firm, Axil, has found that 85 per cent of manufacturers are still working with multiple waste providers, 42 per cent manage between six and 10 providers and 15 per cent use more than 11, with some using up to 25.
Despite this, the average manufacturer would prefer a more streamlined approach. The research, conducted by Censuswide, found that 73 per cent of senior decision-makers would rather consolidate to a single supplier to simplify operations and unlock savings. Yet, the average business still relies on multiple different waste contractors.
Tom Seward, Chief Commercial Officer at Axil said: “We’re seeing manufacturers lose out on tens of thousands in potential rebates and efficiencies simply because their waste is managed across fragmented contracts. In today’s economic climate, reducing waste isn’t just good practice — it’s a direct cost saving. And in a margin-conscious market, those are savings no business can afford to ignore. Every pound saved is a pound that can be reinvested into growth, innovation, or sustainability.”
According to Make UK’s Executive Survey 2025 (in partnership with PwC), over 90 per cent of manufacturers expect employment costs to rise, while around 75 per cent anticipate increases in logistics and transport costs– reinforcing the mounting financial pressure across the sector.
In the food and hospitality industry alone, UK Hospitality estimates that £3.2 billion is lost annually to food waste – with 75 per cent of it considered avoidable. While that figure reflects one sector, it underscores a broader truth: inefficient waste practices carry real financial consequences.
Previous research conducted by Axil in 2023 revealed only half of manufacturers received any waste rebate — and one in four weren’t confident they were getting best value. At the time, 48 per cent admitted they weren’t doing enough to reduce waste, and 19 per cent weren’t fully measuring their environmental impact. While these findings exposed significant missed opportunities, the landscape is shifting – fast. As new legislation and ESG demands accelerate, waste is becoming a strategic focus – and a revenue stream manufacturers can no longer afford to overlook.
“This isn’t just a facilities issue. It’s a strategic one,” added Seward. “Consolidation can dramatically cut transport duplication, reduce admin overheads, and unlock better data and compliance visibility – which is vital for meeting ESG goals and tightening budgets.”
With 88 per cent of manufacturers agreeing that waste management plays a crucial part in impacting revenue, profit, and operational efficiency – the message is clear: now is the time to simplify.
Rather than defaulting to the lowest-cost provider, manufacturers are encouraged to assess, how many suppliers they’re using, where rebate opportunities are being missed, and whether contracts align with ESG, compliance, and circular economy goals.
Axil recommends consolidating all waste streams under a single provider to streamline operations, reduce haulage, and improve transparency on volumes and rebates. When combined with clear reporting and local partnerships, this approach cuts costs, lowers emissions, and supports compliance and reputation.
