Welcome to the ESA!

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) is the trade body representing the UK's resource and waste management industry. Companies in our sector collect the waste materials produced by households and businesses across the UK, treat it responsibly, and turn a large percentage of it into new resources or energy whilst protecting the environment. 

We work with governments, local authorities, regulators and the public to deliver a more sustainable waste and resource management solution.

Here you can discover how we are helping to tackle the nation’s waste and make smarter uses of our valuable resources – and how you can join us in this effort.

We estimate that just over 100,000 people work directly in the waste sector, dealing with nation’s waste.

HOW MUCH WASTE IS THERE?

• 27.4m tonnes – UK household waste
• 27.7m tonnes – UK commercial and industrial waste
• 55m tonnes – UK construction and demolition waste

_{(Source – Defra, Feb 2018: more details here – link to better stats)}

We started life as the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors in 1968, becoming the Environmental Services Association in 1996. ESA members comprise 85% of the sector, including all the major companies,

As well representing our members’ interests in the UK and in Europe, we are also actively working to raise wider issues of sustainability and resource efficiency, to raise operational standards within the industry and to ensure the health and safety of our workforce.