Zero Waste Week 2025: Tackling the waste crisis with data-driven solutions

Zero Waste Week has become a defining campaign in the sustainability calendar. Running from 1 to 5 September 2025, it is an international movement that inspires households, schools, businesses and organisations to reduce waste, save resources and protect the environment. The message is simple but powerful: waste is not inevitable, and each of us has a role to play in rethinking what we throw away. At Calabash, we see this as a moment for businesses to embrace innovation and accountability, and to recognise that waste management is central to delivering both environmental impact and business value.

The urgency behind Zero Waste Week has never been clearer. In 2023 the United Kingdom generated over 222 million tonnes of waste, with around 11.2 million tonnes of municipal waste sent to landfill. Despite years of policy initiatives and investment in recycling infrastructure, the national recycling rate is still below 50 per cent. These figures highlight the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for change. Sending millions of tonnes of valuable resources to landfill each year not only creates environmental harm but also represents a failure to capture the economic value of materials that could be reused, recycled or repurposed.

At Calabash, we see this as a moment for businesses to rethink how they approach waste management. The traditional model of collection and disposal is no longer sufficient. Clients are under increasing pressure from regulators, investors and customers to provide accurate data, demonstrate responsibility and show measurable improvements in their recycling rates. This is where we are focusing our energy: helping organisations not only to manage their waste responsibly but also to turn waste into a resource that delivers environmental and social value.

To strengthen our offer, we have partnered with DWT Waste Management and Consultancy, a forward-thinking company based in London that is transforming waste operations through innovation. DWT combine cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices to deliver a level of transparency and precision that is unmatched in the sector. Their Trackersack system allows every bag of waste to be barcoded, scanned, weighed and audited at the point of collection. This means that data is recorded in real time, giving our clients granular insight into what is happening across sites.

With DWT’s system, it is possible to see exactly who is recycling correctly, where waste streams are being contaminated, and which facilities or bins need to be introduced to improve performance. Glass collected is recycled into new bottles, cardboard is compacted and sent to paper mills, and food waste is processed via anaerobic digestion into energy and fertiliser. Each step is tracked, with clients able to log into a digital portal to access live data on waste generation, recycling performance, contamination issues and carbon savings. At the click of a button, they can generate a waste report that supports both operational decision-making and ESG reporting requirements.

Since April 2025, Calabash and DWT have been working together to support six of our clients. The results are already clear. By providing what we describe as “eyes and ears into waste,” the system empowers clients to act on evidence rather than assumptions. For example, contamination can be pinpointed to specific areas, allowing managers to respond with targeted education, clearer signage or the introduction of additional recycling streams. The data also reveals where waste volumes can be reduced at source, helping businesses save money as well as resources.

In 2026, the government will roll out mandatory digital waste tracking legislation, requiring all waste movements to be recorded from source to end point. For many businesses, this will represent a step-change in compliance obligations. By working with DWT now, our clients are already ahead of the curve. They have systems in place that provide detailed, auditable records and are building the culture and processes needed to thrive under the new rules.

The partnership also brings wider benefits. Waste audits carried out by DWT allow clients to compare performance across multiple sites or stores, highlighting best practice and areas for improvement. The platform’s ability to calculate carbon savings from reducing general waste helps clients communicate their progress to stakeholders with confidence. In addition, DWT helps change mindsets and behaviours through support with signage and staff training. 

For Calabash, Zero Waste Week 2025 is about turning awareness into meaningful action. The waste crisis demands innovation, collaboration and transparency, and our partnership with DWT Waste shows what is possible when these elements come together. We are proud to support our clients with solutions that not only meet regulatory expectations but also unlock the environmental and economic benefits of a circular approach.

As we look ahead, we see waste management evolving from a back-office function into a strategic priority. Data will be the key that unlocks this shift, giving businesses the insight they need to cut costs, reduce emissions and meet the growing demand for accountability. Zero Waste Week reminds us that waste is a choice, and with the right systems in place, it is a choice we can make differently.

We are excited to be part of this change. Together with our clients and partners, we are committed to building a future where resources are valued, waste is minimised, and sustainability is not a target but a way of doing business.