In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are pleased to feature Thalia Waste Management as our Energy from Waste Company of the Year.
Founded in 2023 after its separation from Amey’s Waste Management division, Thalia Waste Management has quickly emerged as a major player in the UK’s Energy from Waste (EfW) sector.
Led by CEO Paco Hevia, whose 25 years of industry experience inform the company’s strategic direction, Thalia is driven by a clear mission: to move the UK away from landfill dependency and toward more sustainable waste solutions. By uniting operational efficiency with innovation and circular economy thinking, Thalia is helping accelerate progress towards the nation’s net-zero ambitions.
With operations spanning four main hubs from North Yorkshire to Milton Keynes, Thalia offers a comprehensive range of services, including refuse and recycling collection, waste treatment and energy recovery through EfW facilities. Its breadth of expertise across multiple technologies allows the business to navigate the operational and environmental challenges of modern waste management with confidence, delivering reliable, high-performing solutions at every stage.
However, Thalia goes beyond traditional waste management, applying its integrated model to support advancements in renewable energy, construction, and infrastructure. Backed by long-standing partnerships with strategic, governmental, and environmental bodies, the company excels in regenerating disused assets, enhancing existing facilities, and delivering tailored project solutions. By placing innovation and the circular economy at the heart of its operations, Thalia Waste Management is not only redefining how waste is handled – it is actively helping to build a more sustainable future for the UK.
We caught up with Joshua Preece, Communications and Engagement Lead who explained how the last 12 months have been for the company, “The ever-evolving nature of the Waste Management industry is such that each year presents its own new and unique challenges, and 2025 has been no different, but we reflect on the last twelve months with a sense of accomplishment in how we’ve adapted to meet and overcome those challenges and emerged stronger and wiser, ready to develop and grow our business even more in 2026.”
“In April, we welcomed a new contract into the Thalia network, in Northamptonshire, after a successful bidding process, which extended the scope of the services we provide in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, including the operation of the Brackmills Waste Transfer Station.”
“We’ve also undertaken several significant internal infrastructure projects, including the replacement of two superheaters at our North Yorkshire site, and commencing a multi-phase renewal of the AD biohall flooring at our Milton Keynes plant, which, despite their complexities, were delivered with minimal disruption to operations, and really highlighted the expertise and capability of our maintenance and engineering teams, a real source of pride for Thalia.”
“An important part of what we do centres working with the communities we serve, promoting education and awareness around sustainable waste practices and habits and the work we do to divert waste from landfill and recover energy from our processes. To date, we’ve engaged with over 8,000 local residents, students, and visitors as part of outreach visits and site events, hosted by our wonderful Education Officers.”
Operating sustainably is more important now than ever, and it remains a critical focus for Thalia Waste Management across every aspect of its business, from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy and governance. In line with its sustainability objectives, the company continues to enhance both existing and emerging technologies, including the recent approval of significant investment to develop and implement new odour and emissions control systems.
Joshua stated, “We’re proud to share that, earlier this year, we received an exceptional 95% score in the 2025 GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment recognising our inclusive culture, ambitious sustainability strategy, collaborative approach to innovation, and responsible governance across all operations.”
“As part of the GRESB assessment, we achieved a perfect (60/60) score in air quality, health & safety, waste management, biodiversity, and emissions reporting and risk management, meeting or exceeding international best practice. Our GRESB score isn’t just about compliance, it’s evidence of how we live our values every day, and reinforces our ongoing integrity, transparency, and consistency to current and potential stakeholders and partners.”
“In addition to our operational achievements, 2025 has been a milestone year in the People sphere. Our People and Communications Director, Sarah Moyo, was recently named Investors in People’s Leader of the Year, beating off a global shortlist to take home the award. And if that wasn’t enough, one of our most exciting young talents, People Advisor, Niamh Harris, was named IiP’s Young Person of the Year, adding to her 2024 Let’s Recycle 35 Under 35 title.”
“Our people are at the heart of what we do, and although we know each and every one of them are great at what they do, the rest of the industry are sitting up and taking notice now, too.”
What’s more, Thalia Waste Management’s competitive advantage is underpinned by measurable results, technical excellence, and a track record of optimising complex infrastructure projects, as Joshua explains, “The continued successes we see are largely rooted in the fact that we know how to achieve industry-leading results in areas that have historically presented challenges to other industry operators. In 2019, our Milton Keynes site reached over 90% capacity, making it the best-performing residual waste gasification plant in the UK, and we continue to build upon our knowledge and expertise, and refine our technologies and management processes to increase our productivity and performance.”
“We’ve also shown that we have unique expertise in managing complex infrastructure projects to get the best out of the technology we deploy. Through our use of innovative, bespoke, we are ideally positioned to collaborate with local authorities, private industry and government frameworks to deliver complete lifecycle solutions, optimising energy recovery and redistribution where it’s needed most.”
With both immediate priorities and long-term vision guiding its strategy, Joshua outlines how Thalia plans to build on its current momentum, “The fundamental goal for Thalia, both short and long term is transformational growth. Although we bring a wealth of experience in the Waste Management industry from our time as part of Amey, Thalia is still a relatively young business. But, with our youth comes renewed energy, innovative thinking, and an unrelenting drive to refine, develop and perfect what we know we’re great at.”
“In the short term, we’re optimistic that we’ll have at least one exciting update to share in early 2026, but, in addition to growing our business, we’re investing significantly internally to continue to build a high-performing, inclusive and empowering culture that not only recognises the great work our people do day in, day out, but also attract and develop the best talent, with the goal of making Thalia the employer of choice in the Waste Management industry.”
“Longer-term, our focus is very much on continuing to build Thalia’s reputation as one of the leading names in waste management, both operationally and from the perspective of the people who work for us. We’re continuing to explore new opportunities and technologies to expand our services, and there are some exciting plans in place for both internal and external development over the coming months.”
As Thalia Waste Management continues to build on a year of strong operational and cultural success, the business enters 2026 with confidence, momentum, and a clear sense of purpose. From high-performing infrastructure and award-winning sustainability credentials to investment in cutting-edge technology and community engagement, every element of Thalia’s operation is aligned with long-term, responsible growth.
Equally important is the company’s commitment to its people. With industry recognition at both leadership and emerging talent level, Thalia is clearly cultivating a workforce that is skilled, motivated, and empowered to innovate. This people-first culture, combined with technical expertise and strategic ambition, positions the business strongly in an increasingly complex waste and energy landscape.
Looking ahead, Thalia’s focus on transformational growth, service expansion, and continuous improvement reflects both its confidence as a young company and its maturity as an experienced operator. By embracing new technologies, strengthening partnerships, and remaining firmly committed to the principles of the circular economy, Thalia is not only responding to the challenges of today, but actively shaping the solutions of tomorrow.
With a firm foundation now in place and exciting developments on the horizon, Thalia Waste Management is well positioned to continue delivering meaningful environmental impact, operational excellence, and sustainable value across the UK.
In closing, we asked Joshua how he felt receiving the award, “It’s a huge honour to be selected as Energy from Waste Company of the Year, and we’re extremely grateful to Sustainability Today for their consideration. This award recognises the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, just as much as it highlights our ongoing growth as a business. Everyone at Thalia plays a part, big or small, in our achievements, and each one of our people, regardless of role or seniority, can take pride in their contribution to receiving such an accolade.”
For more information, please see below:
T 0800 0485227
https://thalia.co.uk