First Mile win Independent Operator of the Year and B2B Business of the Year 2025. Words by First Mile First Mile Limited is excited to share some brilliant news from the MRW National Recycling Awards 2025. On 25 November, First Mile took home two major awards, recognising its ongoing commitment to making recycling simple, accessible and genuinely impactful for businesses across the UK. First Mile Limited were named Independent Operator of the Year for the second year running, and First Mile Limited also won the Recycling Excellence award for its long-standing partnership with ATG Entertainment. These awards celebrate industry leaders who are creating real environmental change, and First Mile Limited is proud to be recognised for the work its team delivers every day. Just two days later, on 27 November, First Mile Limited were also crowned B2B Business of the Year at the 2025 Growing Business Awards, a fantastic achievement that reflects the momentum and innovation across the business. It was a brilliant night for the team and a proud moment that highlights the forward-thinking approach that keeps its customers, and its industry, moving towards a greener future. Independent Operator of the Year 2025. Winning Independent Operator of the Year for the second consecutive year is a huge milestone for First Mile Limited. This award recognises independent waste and recycling providers that lead the way in innovation, reliable service and measurable sustainability results. These are values that guide everything First Mile Limited do at First Mile. Over the past year, First Mile Limited has continued to invest in new technology, smarter operations and simple, effective ways for businesses to increase recycling and reduce their environmental impact. From improving route efficiency to expanding its recycling services, First Mile Limited has focused on making sustainable waste management easier for businesses of all sizes. Being honoured again in 2025 is a powerful endorsement of the consistency, care and expertise its team delivers every day. It also celebrates the thousands of businesses who trust First Mile Limited to help them recycle more, waste less and move confidently towards their sustainability goals. First Mile Limited were also thrilled to pick up the Recycling Excellence award for its work with ATG Entertainment. This award celebrates projects that deliver meaningful environmental results, and the judges recognised the progress First Mile Limited has made together in helping ATG's london venues move towards virtually zero waste to landfill. This win highlights the strength of its strategic partnership and the dedication of its account managers who work closely with its Enterprise clients. Their hands-on support, clear communication and focus on long-term impact play a vital part in helping organisations embed simple, effective recycling habits that make a real difference. It's a great reflection of what can happen when teams stay focused on long-term impact and keep things simple for the people on the ground. To round off an outstanding week, First Mile was also named B2B Business of the Year at the 2025 Growing Business Awards. This award celebrates businesses that put customers first and keep raising the bar, and it felt brilliant to be recognised for the work First Mile Limited do every day with companies across the UK. The judges praised the impact First Mile Limited deliver for its customers and the way its teams work together to make sustainability achievable for everyone. It was a proud moment for the whole business and a real boost to end an already exciting week of wins. Recognising the strength of its partnerships. Alongside its wins, First Mile Limited were also shortlisted twice at the MRW National Recycling Awards for Commercial Partnership Excellence, reflecting the impact of its work with businesses such as GAIL's Bakery and JPC by Samsic. First Mile Limited'll be diving into more detail about its partnerships in upcoming case studies, so stay tuned, but for now First Mile Limited is proud to see its collaborative approach recognised at this year's awards. These shortlists highlight the breadth of sectors First Mile Limited support and its commitment to building long-term partnerships that make recycling simple, effective and sustainable. A memorable week for the First Mile team. The MRW National Recycling Awards are always a special moment in the year. They bring its industry together to celebrate progress and the people working hard to make a real difference. It was a joy to be there again and to come home with two awards First Mile Limited is incredibly proud of. Just a couple of days later, First Mile Limited were delighted to be named Business of the Year at the Growing Business Awards. It closed the week on a high and underlined the collective effort that sits behind everything First Mile Limited achieve. Thank you to everyone involved in both events, and to its amazing team and partners. Your effort, positivity and passion are what make these moments possible. Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists who continue to push sustainability and business forward.

First Mile Limited is just partnered with The Felix Project, to raise awareness of their redistribution service and to help businesses reduce food waste.