Brown Recycling is investing £925,000 into updating its transport fleet, and the launch of a new charity fund as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The fifth-generation family business has a host of initiatives planned throughout 2026 to mark the milestone year.
The first of four new vehicles from DAF, a rigid truck, is due to arrive in April. It will be followed by two rigid waste vehicles in September, and a food waste truck in October. Each of the vehicles will feature a new centenary logo on its livery, and they have been named Samuel, Ernold, Herbert and William respectively, in honour of members of the Brown family.
A brand new Kraker walking floor trailer is also due to arrive at the end of this month.
The investment follows a move last year to strengthen the firm’s operations and futureproof the business, including £750,000 spent on the acquisition of a fourth modern facility.
Chairman Rod Brown said: “I believe we are one of the very few waste management companies in the UK to reach 100 years of continuous service to our customers.
“It is testament to everyone who is currently part of, or has been part of our journey, that we have grown to be the one of the largest independent waste management providers in Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Midlands, achieving my vision when I took control of the business in 1993.
“We are always at the forefront of industry advancements; be it investment into the latest green technologies, quickly adopting legislation change affecting the sector, never compromising on health, safety and compliance, and being thought leaders on several specialised topics.
“We’re very excited to embark on our next chapter.”
Rod added that the company’s guiding values of accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity and teamwork are inspired by the work ethic and dedication of previous generations who helped to shape the business.
Meanwhile, the Brown Recycling Charity Fund will donate £1,000 to 12 local charities during the course of its first year. It aims to help causes which go largely underfunded.
Co-managing director Dominique Brown said: “It’s fantastic to be able to launch The Brown Recycling Charity Fund. Whilst we give so much to the community already, we realised we were probably only really scratching the surface of what can be achieved.
“There are so many charities across Staffordshire doing amazing work and we wanted to find a way to support the selfless people behind them, in a more organised fashion. The dedicated fund was the natural next step, and we can’t wait to help the people of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire in any way we can.”
Brown Recycling started out as a coal carting enterprise with Samuel Brown, his son Herbert and extended family members delivering clay, coke, coal, water and milk to local homes and businesses. In return, they would remove pottery and other waste with each delivery.
The firm became a limited company in the 1950s and moved away from the horse and cart, investing in two 10 tonne tipper lorries to increase the frequency of waste management collections.
Its first waste management facility was purchased in Sneyd Hill, in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, where the company is still based today.
Since 1989, it has had a focus on scrap metal and waste processing and it is now a leading, independent provider of total waste management and recycling services across Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Midlands.
Other centenary celebrations include events with longest-serving customers and partners, and two new centenary focussed skips that will be converted into seating booths.
