Managing waste at scale: How Genus Recycling helped Mail Solutions streamline their operations
“When you make 200,000,000 envelopes a month, waste management becomes a full-time operation.” This is something that the team at Mail Solutions knows all too well.
With an operation as vast and fast-moving as Mail Solutions – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of printed envelopes – waste isn’t just an afterthought. It’s a constant, complex challenge.
For years, their waste management journey was patchy. “We’ve been with various waste handling suppliers over the years” says Jonathan Higson, Finance Director at Mail Solutions. “We weren’t getting a great price for our waste, and the customer service varied depending on who you got on the end of the phone.”
That all changed after a chance conversation with a colleague, who mentioned the deal he’d struck with Genus Recycling. At first, it was just a casual recommendation, but on closer inspection, the way Genus operated just really stood out.
The Genus model
Genus didn’t just offer a collection service. They provided a complete waste management model – focused on integration, operational support, and smarter recycling.
It caught Jonathan’s attention. “I liked their approach, and we knew of other businesses who were using Genus and were still happy years later. If something’s going wrong with your waste, you’ll know about it. The fact it was still working meant something was clearly going right.”
That’s when the team at Mail Solutions met Rick from Genus. “Straight away, we had confidence. He knew people we knew – we’d probably crossed paths without realising it. There was trust from the outset.”
They took the plunge and started working with Genus. Despite previous supplier transitions being hard work, this one was different. “Genus moved onsite and made the integration easy,” Andy Powis, Mail Solutions’ Warehouse Manager explains. “They helped simplify our recycling systems and supported us through operational changes.”
Getting the recycling support we didn’t know we needed
Andy joined the project partway through. “That’s when I met Frankie and Paul, who talked me through what Genus were doing and how it would all work. Transferring waste suppliers can be tricky but Genus just handled it. Frankie’s now my one point of contact, and she sorts everything.”
What stood out was their attention to detail, “Genus saw things that we didn’t. They actually analysed what was going on and suggested changes that improved efficiency or reduced costs. We’ve brought in more routine and structure that we didn’t have and it’s making a huge difference.”
waste management – Results that speak for themselves
From January to May alone, Mail Solutions have reduced their general waste by more than three tonnes, with more being diverted to recycling. “It’s less going to landfill, and we’re making better use of materials,” Andy says.
The savings are already stacking up. “We made changes gradually, but we are already seeing savings on our general waste.”
With 750 tonnes of material on-site, including around 200 tonnes of waste, every little improvement counts. Genus helped implement better segregation – separating white and coloured paper to boost resale value, setting up bins that prevent contamination, and supporting the business through the new government rules around waste separation.
“Some changes are simple things” Andy says, “but we’re actually making better revenue from our waste now. And we’re not guessing – the reporting is there, it’s clear, with photos and proper breakdowns. It makes a big difference.”
The Genus difference
The biggest difference is the onsite support that Genus have provided. “Having Genus onsite brings a whole new level of accountability. It’s like having a recycling bee buzzing in your ear,” Andy jokes. “You’re so busy day-to-day, things get pushed down the list. But Genus keeps it front of mind – and keeps us on track.”
For Amanda, who oversees reporting, it’s the clarity and simplicity that really makes the difference. “I can check everything we’ve sold, the general waste, what’s owed – and if there’s a problem, it’s sorted. No messing.”
A seamless, genuine partnership
“Little or no problems. It’s all gone really smoothly,” says Jonathan. “You can tell Genus have a genuine passion for better recycling – and that shines through.”
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” says Andy, “Genus do – and they’ve helped us get better at every part of this process.”