Biffa

Corporate brand

Biffa is a United Kingdom waste-management company providing collection, landfill, recycling and specialist waste services.

Last updated October 17, 2026

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Overview

Biffa is a British waste-management company headquartered in High Wycombe, England. Its activities include waste collection, landfill operations, recycling, resource recovery and special-waste services for local authorities as well as industrial and commercial customers. The company operates across the United Kingdom and, according to the referenced company description, covers approximately 95% of the UK. Its infrastructure includes two material recycling facilities. The business began in 1912 in Wembley as Richard Biffa Limited. Richard Henry Biffa originally built the company around the removal and sale of ashes and clinker generated by London power stations. This early activity placed the company within the industrial-waste and fuel-residue economy of the period, rather than the broad municipal and commercial waste-services market in which it later became known. The family business expanded under Richard Henry Biffa’s grandson, Richard Charles Biffa, who joined in 1958 and became general manager in 1963. Growth during his leadership was achieved through a combination of organic development and acquisitions. In 1971 the business was acquired by British Electric Traction. Severn Trent subsequently acquired it in 1991 for £212 million. In 2000, Severn Trent’s Biffa business acquired the UK operations of UK Waste for £380 million, further increasing its scale. Severn Trent demerged Biffa in 2008 to a consortium comprising Global Infrastructure Partners, Montagu Private Equity and Uberior Co-Investment. Under private-equity ownership, Biffa continued to expand its recycling platform, including the 2010 acquisition of Greenstar UK for £135 million. The company returned to the London Stock Exchange on 17 October 2016, giving public-market investors exposure to its UK waste-collection, treatment and recycling activities. Biffa was described as the United Kingdom’s second-largest waste-management company in 2017. Its customers include public-sector local authorities and private-sector industrial and commercial organizations, creating a business model that combines contracted collection services with treatment, disposal and recycling assets. The company has also faced regulatory and legal scrutiny concerning the export classification of waste. It was convicted of four breaches of waste-shipment regulations relating to activity during 2018 and 2019. Further proceedings concerned an attempted export of used nappies and other materials in 2020. In a case brought by the Environment Agency, Biffa was found guilty in 2021 after household waste items, including plastic bags, tins, clothing and condoms, were incorrectly identified as waste paper for export. The company was fined £1.5 million and strongly criticized by the sentencing judge. These cases are a significant part of Biffa’s public record because waste-export compliance is central to the environmental responsibilities of a large waste operator. In June 2022, Energy Capital Partners proposed to acquire Biffa at £4.45 per share, a reported 37% premium to the prevailing share price and an implied valuation of £1.36 billion. The transaction was subsequently agreed, with shareholders receiving 410 pence per share. Biffa’s shares were suspended on 27 January 2023, completing its transition from a listed company to a privately owned business. Biffa therefore remains an active UK waste-services brand, but its ownership and capital-market status changed substantially in 2023.

History

Biffa traces its origins to 1912, when Richard Henry Biffa founded Richard Biffa Limited in Wembley. The original business removed and sold ashes and clinker from London power stations. These materials were residues of the city’s industrial energy system, and their recovery formed the foundation of a company that later developed into a broad waste-management operator. The business remained associated with the Biffa family during its early expansion. Richard Henry Biffa’s grandson, Richard Charles Biffa, joined the company in 1958 and became general manager in 1963. Under his leadership, the company expanded organically and through acquisitions. In 1971 it was acquired by British Electric Traction. Severn Trent acquired the business in 1991 for £212 million, bringing Biffa into the portfolio of a major UK utility group. A further expansion occurred in 2000, when the Biffa business acquired the American-owned UK Waste for £380 million. Severn Trent later demerged Biffa in 2008, transferring it to a consortium made up of Global Infrastructure Partners, Montagu Private Equity and Uberior Co-Investment. The company continued building its recycling capabilities and acquired Greenstar UK for £135 million in 2010. Biffa was re-listed on the London Stock Exchange on 17 October 2016. By 2017 it was described as the UK’s second-largest waste-management company. Its operating model included collection, landfill, recycling and special-waste services for local authorities and industrial and commercial clients. The company’s reported national reach covered approximately 95% of the United Kingdom, supported by collection operations and recycling infrastructure including two material recycling facilities. Environmental compliance became a major issue in Biffa’s public record. The company was convicted of four breaches of waste-shipment regulations concerning the period from 2018 to 2019. It was also convicted over an attempted export of used nappies and related materials in 2020. In 2021, following proceedings brought by the Environment Agency, Biffa was found guilty after various household waste items were incorrectly identified as waste paper for export. The case involved plastic bags, tins, clothing and condoms. The company received a £1.5 million fine and was severely criticized by the sentencing judge, who characterized the conduct as reckless and noted an absence of contrition. Biffa’s public-company period ended after Energy Capital Partners made a buyout proposal in June 2022. The proposal was reported at £4.45 per share, a 37% premium to the then share price and an implied value of £1.36 billion. The agreed transaction provided shareholders with 410 pence per share. Biffa’s London Stock Exchange shares were suspended on 27 January 2023, completing the acquisition and returning the company to private ownership. Biffa continues to operate as a UK waste-management business under Energy Capital Partners.

2023
Takeover completed
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Following the agreed acquisition, Biffa shareholders received 410 pence per share and the company’s shares were suspended on 27 January 2023.
2022
Energy Capital Partners announces buyout proposal
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Energy Capital Partners proposed to acquire Biffa at £4.45 per share, with a reported implied valuation of £1.36 billion.
2016
Re-listed on the London Stock Exchange
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Biffa returned to public trading on 17 October 2016.
2010
Acquisition of Greenstar UK
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Biffa acquired recycling company Greenstar UK for £135 million.
2008
Demerger from Severn Trent
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Severn Trent demerged Biffa to a consortium consisting of Global Infrastructure Partners, Montagu Private Equity and Uberior Co-Investment.
2000
Acquisition of UK Waste
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
The business acquired the American-owned UK Waste for £380 million.
1991
Acquired by Severn Trent
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Severn Trent acquired Biffa for £212 million.
1971
Acquired by British Electric Traction
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Biffa became part of British Electric Traction.
1958
Richard Charles Biffa joins the business
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
The founder’s grandson joined the company, later becoming general manager and guiding its expansion.
1912
Company founded in Wembley
[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
Richard Henry Biffa founded Richard Biffa Limited, initially focusing on the removal and sale of ashes and clinker from London power stations.

Products and positioning

A large, integrated UK waste-management operator serving public-sector and commercial customers through collection networks, recycling infrastructure, landfill assets and specialist waste services.

Waste collection and treatment
Commercial and industrial waste services
Biffa provides waste-management services to industrial and commercial customers in the United Kingdom. The offering combines collection with downstream treatment, recycling or disposal, allowing business customers to contract for a managed waste stream rather than arrange separate services for each stage.
Municipal waste management
Local-authority waste services
The company serves UK local authorities through contracted waste-collection and treatment services. These operations form part of Biffa’s national network and connect municipal collection requirements with recycling, landfill and other disposal infrastructure.
Recycling · 2010
Recycling and material recovery
Biffa collects and processes recyclable materials and operates two material recycling facilities. Its recycling platform was expanded through the acquisition of Greenstar UK in 2010, supporting the separation and recovery of materials from collected waste.
Waste disposal
Landfill services
Landfill is one of Biffa’s established service areas. It provides disposal capacity for waste that is not recovered through reuse, recycling or other treatment processes, as part of the company’s integrated waste-management network.
Specialist waste management
Special-waste services
Biffa offers special-waste services for customers whose materials require specialist handling, treatment or disposal. The referenced material identifies this as a core service area but does not provide a detailed breakdown of the waste categories covered.

Controversies

2021
Illegal export of household waste
Biffa was found guilty in an Environment Agency case after household waste items were incorrectly identified as waste paper for export. The company was fined £1.5 million and strongly rebuked by the sentencing judge.
Source
2020
Attempted export of used nappies
The company was convicted over an attempt to export used nappies and other materials in breach of waste-export requirements.
Source
2019
Waste-shipment regulation convictions
Biffa was convicted of four breaches of waste-shipment regulations relating to conduct during 2018 and 2019.
Source
2019
Biffa fined £350,000 over waste shipment
Biffa was fined £350,000 for attempting to ship household rubbish to China labelled as waste paper suitable for recycling. The case concerned a shipment that had been described as recyclable waste paper but was in fact household waste. The fine was reported in connection with the shipment, and the event was recorded in September 2019. The source report identifies the waste as household rubbish and states that it was labelled as waste paper fit for recycling. No further details about the proceedings or the parties involved are provided in the available event information.
Source 1 Source 2

2022
Agreement to be acquired by Energy Capital PartnersM&A
Background
Energy Capital Partners proposed a takeover of Biffa during its period as a London-listed company.
Action taken
The parties agreed a transaction under which shareholders would receive 410 pence per share.
Aftermath
The acquisition was completed in January 2023 and Biffa ceased to be publicly traded.
Implied transaction value. £1.36 billion (June 2022 proposal)
Source
2016
Return to public marketsStrategy
Background
After operating under private ownership following the 2008 demerger, Biffa returned to the public markets.
Action taken
The company was re-listed on the London Stock Exchange on 17 October 2016.
Aftermath
Biffa operated as a listed UK waste-management company until its acquisition by Energy Capital Partners.
Source
2010
Acquisition of Greenstar UKM&A
Background
Biffa sought to expand its recycling capabilities and asset base.
Action taken
Biffa acquired recycling company Greenstar UK for £135 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened Biffa’s position in recycling and material recovery.
Acquisition price. £135 million (2010)
Source
2008
Demerger into private-equity ownershipStrategy
Background
Severn Trent separated Biffa from the group as the company continued developing as a standalone waste-management business.
Action taken
Biffa was transferred to a consortium formed by Global Infrastructure Partners, Montagu Private Equity and Uberior Co-Investment.
Aftermath
The company subsequently expanded its recycling activities, including the acquisition of Greenstar UK in 2010.
Source

Recent events

2023
Biffa leaves the London Stock Exchange after takeover[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The agreed acquisition provided shareholders with 410 pence per share, and Biffa’s shares were suspended from trading on 27 January 2023.
2022
Biffa agrees takeover by Energy Capital Partners[1]Biffaen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Energy Capital Partners proposed to acquire Biffa at £4.45 per share, representing a reported 37% premium and valuing the company at approximately £1.36 billion.

Sources11 sources

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