Our Heritage
Biffa was founded 100 years ago by the Biffa family as a haulage business. Today Biffa is the UK`s leading nationwide integrated waste management business that provides collection, treatment, recycling and recovery.

Founded 100 years ago by the Biffa family as a haulage business largely dedicated to the collection of ashes, dust and clinker from coal-fired power stations in the London area; the business developed in the 1950s to include the excavation of sand, gravel and general waste collection and in the 1960s moved into the industrial waste market.

The business was acquired by BET Plc, the industrial services group, in 1971 and subsequently sold to Severn Trent in 1991 for £212 million. After significant acquisitive growth in the 1980s, the pattern from 1991 was one of organic growth stimulated by strategic regional acquisitions.

In 2000, UK Waste, one of the largest waste operators in the UK, was acquired for £380 million. This acquisition enhanced the Group`s scale and reach, generating significant synergies.

In 2003, the Group acquired the Hales Waste Business for £146 million. This acquisition generated further synergies and complemented the Group`s established operations of collection, landfill and special waste. The acquisition also helped to reinforce Biffa`s growth strategy and confirmed Biffa`s position as a leading integrated waste management company in the UK.

February 2005, the new management team of Severn Trent carried out a review of the Severn Trent Group`s business. The review of the water and waste businesses demonstrated that the growth and regulation drivers of the two businesses are very different, and that few operational synergies would be lost through separate ownership. Accordingly, Severn Trent announced on 4 April 2006 its intention to demerge the Biffa Group.

The demerger of Biffa became effective and trading in Biffa`s shares on the London Stock Exchange commenced on 9 October 2006.

As a listed company Biffa continued to grow profits at a time when, with new regulations coming into force, interest in the waste management industry was growing.

In April 2008, Biffa embarked on a new chapter in the company`s history, when it was acquired by WasteAcquisitionCo Ltd, an entity formed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Montagu Private Equity & Uberior Co-Investment Ltd (UCIL).

In 2010 Biffa acquired Greenstar UK, one the premier recycling-led waste management service providers in the UK. This acquisition significantly accelerates Biffa’s strategic plans to transition to a recycling and energy-from-waste-focused integrated waste management company.

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