Composition analysis case study - East London Waste Authority. East London Waste Authority (ELWA) partnered with Alfred H Knight (AHK) to strengthen recycling and waste management practices ahead of the Simpler Recycling regulations. The challenge: understanding waste through composition analysis. ELWA manages around 440,000 tonnes of waste annually across Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, and Redbridge. Ahead of policy changes like Simpler Recycling, the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), they needed reliable data to guide investment, cut costs, and improve recycling performance. The project required a detailed understanding of residual household waste, recyclables from kerbside collections and flats, and material from HWRCs. Its approach: delivering reliable composition analysis at scale. To deliver reliable results at scale, AHK carried out two waste composition analyses over six months. AHK Group covered more than 500 households across ten sample areas, as well as residual waste from four HWRCs. Its methodology combined rigorous sampling and segregation with socio-demographic profiling (ACORN) and categorisation of flats by block type. This gave ELWA a deeper, more representative view of household waste streams. It also produced data that was accurate, reliable, and actionable for planning, decision-making, and public engagement. Insights that drive change. AHK's waste composition analysis revealed that nearly 40% of residual household waste was food, a quarter of which was avoidable. This highlighted a major opportunity for ELWA to cut disposal costs, improve recycling rates, and design targeted public engagement campaigns. By aligning material categories with Simpler Recycling, DRS, and EPR requirements, the results gave ELWA clear evidence for infrastructure planning, contract reviews, and compliance strategies. The impact: turning composition analysis into measurable results. AHK delivered actionable insight, giving ELWA a clear roadmap for reducing food waste and boosting recycling across four London boroughs. By aligning results with upcoming legislation, AHK Group helped ELWA plan with confidence while strengthening compliance readiness. The reports highlighted contamination levels, diversion rates, and future projections, enabling better decision-making. Within just four weeks of fieldwork, ELWA had the evidence needed to optimise operations, improve recycling performance, and advance its circular economy goals. AHK carried out a thorough, well-managed project, meeting the specified requirements to agreed timescales and providing ELWA with valuable data and insight into the make-up of its waste arisings. This will allow ELWA to target resources towards specific material streams to improve performance and prepare for the impact of upcoming legislative changes. James Kirkham, CRWM Contract Manager, East London Waste Authority. By delivering a well-managed, high-quality analysis, AHK gave ELWA the insight they needed to optimise waste management, improve resource recovery, and advance their circular economy goals. Darren Coss, Waste Optimisation Lead at Alfred H Knight. Speak to an AHK expert about your waste streams. Its experienced team is always available to support and assist you with waste composition analysis or solid fuel analysis requirements. Visit its contact page to discuss your operations today.

Alfred H Knight announces strategic partnership with Ajlan & Bros Mining to launch state-of-the-art metals and minerals laboratory services in Saudi Arabia. Published by Jody Dodgson, Editorial Assistant Global Mining Review, Thursday, 16 October 2025 09:00 Alfred H Knight (AHK), a global provider of inspection, testing, and consultancy services with a rich heritage in the mining, metals, and minerals industry, has formed a strategic partnership with Ajlan & Bros Mining (ABM), a leading force in Saudi Arabia's mineral development sector. The partnership will establish advanced metals and minerals capabilities in the Kingdom, delivered from a state-of-the-art facility, directly supporting the growth of the local mining industry and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The facility will provide analytical services throughout the mining value chain, from mineral exploration to metallurgical testing and quality assurance. The combination of ABM's regional knowledge with AHK's global expertise will serve as a catalyst for innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. Fahd Al Enezi, CEO of Ajlan & Bros Mining, stated that this partnership represents a significant step toward building a world-class mining ecosystem in the Kingdom. He emphasised that collaboration with Alfred H Knight enhances standards of precision and operational excellence, while supporting the development of Saudi Arabia's mining sector in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. He added, "This partnership represents a major milestone in our mission to build a world-class mining ecosystem in the Kingdom." The laboratory will play a pivotal role in: Accelerating industrial development through reliable, high-quality mineral analysis. Creating skilled employment opportunities and fostering local talent in the geoscience and metallurgy sectors. Strengthening domestic expertise and capabilities to support the rapidly growing mining industry. Driving economic diversification in alignment with Vision 2030. "We are honoured to contribute our expertise to this transformative project and support the Kingdom's journey toward becoming a global mining powerhouse," said Maxime François, Regional General Manager, Africa & Middle-East at Alfred H Knight. This exciting project is expected to commence in 1Q26.

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