Recycling & Sustainability — Toms Man and Van Commitment

Toms Man and Van is committed to driving practical, measurable improvements in waste reduction across the areas we serve. As Tom's Man & Van we recognise that every collection is an opportunity to divert materials from landfill, support local reuse and reduce carbon emissions. Our sustainability programme combines clear targets, local partnerships and low-carbon operating practices so that our man and van removals leave a positive legacy for neighbourhoods and boroughs.

We have set an ambitious recycling percentage target for all collected household and commercial items: a rolling goal to achieve an 80% reuse or recycling rate for non-hazardous materials by 2028. This target is designed to prioritise reuse first (furniture, appliances, textiles), then material recycling (metal, glass, cardboard, plastics) and finally responsible recovery for what cannot be reused. Measurement and transparent reporting are central to that goal — we continually refine sorting processes at source to increase the share of items that are rehomed or remanufactured.

We work closely with local transfer stations and municipal hubs to ensure material streams are handled correctly. In many boroughs the waste separation approach includes separate streams for glass, paper & card, food and garden waste, plus residual waste — an approach mirrored in how we separate loads during collections. Where appropriate we deliver separated loads to nearby transfer stations and consolidation points so recyclable streams stay pure and processing efficiency is maximised.

• Paper & Cardboard: segregated and baled at transfer hubs
• Mixed Metals & White Goods: separated for scrap and parts reclamation
• Textiles & Soft Furnishings: assessed for reuse, repair or sorted for textile recycling
• Wood & Furniture: salvaged, repaired for reuse, or chipped for biomass where appropriate

Partnerships with charities and community organisations are a cornerstone of our reuse-first strategy. As Toms Man & Van removals we collect items that are still usable and work with local charities, furniture banks and social enterprises to ensure dignified redistribution. These partnerships not only keep high-quality goods circulating in the community but also support vulnerable residents through affordable furniture and appliance access.

Our collaborations extend beyond donation. We partner with workshop-based charities that provide repair and refurbishment training, creating local jobs and strengthening the circular economy. When an item cannot be reused whole, components are reclaimed and materials fed back into manufacturing streams. This reduces demand for virgin materials and aligns our service with borough-level strategies that prioritise reuse, repair and material recovery.

For businesses and landlords, Toms removal service teams apply the same principles: pre-collection audits identify items for reuse, and our crews are trained to segregate loads on-site. Where boroughs operate a multi-bin system — often blue for recycling, green for garden/food and black for residual — our teams mirror those streams when collecting from residential blocks, helping maintain the integrity of local kerbside systems.

Reducing operational carbon is equally important. Our fleet includes low-carbon vans — a mix of fully electric vehicles for shorter urban runs and the latest low-emission Euro 6 diesel/electric hybrids for longer routes. We continuously invest in route optimisation software and driver eco-training to cut idling time and unnecessary mileage. These measures reduce fuel use and lower the carbon footprint of every removal.

We also promote sustainable handling practices across our teams. Every crew member on a Toms man-and-van job is trained to prioritise reuse, to disassemble items where parts are redeemable, and to separate hazardous components (e.g., batteries, certain electronics) for specialist recycling. Strong logistical links to transfer stations mean diverted materials travel the shortest practical distance to processing, reducing emissions and keeping recycling chains local.

Accountability underpins our approach: regular audits, data-driven targets and public summaries of our progress. As Toms Man & Van continues to expand, we will scale partnerships with borough waste teams, local transfer stations and charities to increase the volume of items reused and recycled. Together with communities and partners we aim to make sustainable removals the norm — not the exception.