Our Story
Recycling and Green Waste Management, Cornwall, South West England
The company is committed to looking after the environment by minimising the dumping of waste in landfill sites. Through local recycling we can reduce waste disposal and improve Cornwall’s carbon footprint in a cost and time effective manner. This supports our conviction that local solutions for Cornwall are vital in this era of globalisation and high fuel costs.
We take bulk material and turn it into useful products, reducing the environmental impact on the Cornish countryside. Our team of qualified, experienced, environmentally aware staff offer a bespoke service to cater for your recycling and waste needs.
As part of our commitment to caring for the Cornish landscape we use a ground-source heat pump in our offices. We recycle clean and dirty water and our land is farmed sustainably through the use of compost produced on site.
Through local community participation we can help others to engage in recycling and realise the significance of sustainability for Cornwall’s future. We regularly welcome local groups for visits including the County WI, Cornwall Garden Society, Penwith College, Young Farmers Club, Mid Cornwall Machinery group and Round Table.
By reaching out we can instil the importance of recycling as a way of a life, to protect our future.
John Richards
My wife Felicity and I started the company in 1998 alongside our farming activities growing potatoes and cauliflower. My role saw me running the arable side of the farming operations whilst developing the business.
In 2006 we became a sub-contractor to Suez and my nephew took on the farming roles allowing me to specialise in running The Green Waste Company. I like the company’s ethics as it is environmentally friendly.
Having managed operations for the company since it began, I am now handing it over to my son James. Hopefully this will free up some more time to create a garden and travel.
James Richards
I moved home to join the family business in 2013 after graduating in Chartered Surveying.
Whilst studying I spent holidays working at our farm in Cornwall and the corn harvest on a large Cotswolds Estate.
In between heading up asparagus harvest and working on potatoes and cauliflower, I travelled to Australia and New Zealand. There, I worked for the biggest contractor in the Southern hemisphere for a season on maize harvest.
On returning home I got stuck into the waste recycling business full time, taking my HGV Class 1 license, operating machines and overseeing operations. It amazes me the volumes of green waste we can take in from Cornwall and with no additives we make a quality product.
In my spare time I play rugby, hockey and ski/snowboard and have a keen interest in cars.
Martin
I joined The Green Waste Company in Feb 2006 having previously worked on local dairy, arable and horticulture farms. Growing up on our own family dairy farm I have always had an interest in farming and machinery.
After my first daughter was born, I decided to look for a better work/life balance which led me to The Green Waste Company. Starting as a shovel operator in Hayle, working all the way to managing our second site at Roche in 2011. I enjoy the range of work we undertake and am very proud to be the first digger driver on site. I have seen the company change and grow but am always looking for ways for us to improve and expand.
Outside work I am always out with bikes or kayaks and the dogs but mainly with my wife and girls and their horses and ponies. Family is at the heart of everything I do.
Neil
I joined The Green Waste Company in early 2019 as the site manager at Roche. What drew me to the role originally was the passion the family had for Cornwall and the environment and also the relaxed way of life.
I relocated from the northwest of England where I had previously worked at management level for various companies within the recycling sector and gained 10 years’ experience within the composting industry.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family exploring Cornwall.
Lee
I joined the Green Waste Company in March 2021. Based at the Roche site, my role is Machine Operator. My previous employment has mainly been with agricultural contractors. During this time I gained experience driving and operating many different types of machinery. I also lived and worked on a dairy farm for 11 years. I enjoy the variety of my role and being part of a team.
Outside of work I am a keen photographer. I also enjoy walking the coastal path, cycling, kayaking and spending time with my family.
George
I drive the tipper truck for The Green Waste Company delivering compost to beautiful gardens and allotments throughout Cornwall.
If you place an order I will be the one to call you, organise delivery and deliver Cornwall’s Black Gold!
Felicity Richards
After growing up on a Cornish family farm and studying agricultural business management at Uni, I farmed alongside John before starting The Green Waste Company. I was fortunate to be awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship which helped widen my horizons, particularly when travelling around Europe.
After founding the company, I qualified as a Chartered Waste Manager (CIWM). My role started with planning consents, contracts, finance, PR, HR and compliance. When the company expanded, we enrolled a specialist team and my role is now focused on strategy, planning permissions and contracts.
I enjoy working with our team and take pride in the high standards we can achieve together. I am a keen environmentalist and passionate about the Cornish landscape and a firm believer in the Cornish Circular Economy.
In my spare time I enjoy equestrian activities, swimming and walking the coastal footpath with my two black Labradors. Two highlights of my year are stewarding horses at The Royal Cornwall Show and attending the Nuffield Farming Conference.
Sam
I joined the Green Waste Company as Accounts Manager in summer 2018. Prior to that I’d worked in the waste industry for almost 20 years with roles in the Finance departments of Pennon Group, South West Water and Suez.
As a keen gardener, recycler, lover of spreadsheets and all things numerical, this is the perfect role for me. I feel very proud to work for a local family business that is so committed to looking after our county and the environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy gig rowing, running and growing lots of lovely fruit and veg.
Karen
I joined The Green Waste Company in April 2020 having relocated from Oxfordshire where I had spent the previous 12 years as Compliance Manager for a leading organic waste recycling company, Agrivert.
This role included providing health, safety, quality and environmental (HSQE) compliance for Anaerobic Digesters, In-vessel and open windrow composting sites. I enjoy assisting The Green Waste Company with all matters HSQE and at this forward-thinking company there’s always something new to learn!
Outside work I enjoy exploring the beautiful Cornish coastline in my campervan Fred and adding to my rescue animal family!
Linda
I joined the Green Waste Company in April 2021 and I am based at the Roche site as Administration Support. My previous employment was also in administration, working for Imerys, where I completed 34 years’ service. I am excited to be part of an enthusiastic team driving towards making a difference, not only to recycling rates but also to our environment.
I have always loved the outdoors and grew up on a local small holding. We farmed both dairy and sheep and grew our own vegetables. Outside of work I like to keep active, I enjoy walking, kayaking, cycling and spending time with my family.