Recycling Lives reports £8m of social value

By Lancashire Business View

15 Nov 2018

recycling-lies-social-value-report.jpg
Recycling Lives has reported that its charitable programmes have created £8m of created social value in 2017/18.

The figure includes savings to the taxpayer and communities through rehabilitating offenders, supporting the homeless and redistributing food.

The Preston-based recycling and waste management business runs a social enterprise and charity alongside its commercial operations.

Key goals include reducing reoffending by rehabilitating offenders, reducing welfare dependency by supporting the homeless, and redistributing food to reduce charities’ running costs.

In the organisation's third annual Social Value Report, Recycling Lives demonstrates that it by reducing reoffending Recycling Lives created savings to taxpayer worth £4.5m in 2017/18.

It runs 11 prison-based recycling and fabrication workshops, employing 250 men and women and supporting each to secure work and housing ready for release. It is the most successful offender rehabilitation programme of its kind in the UK, recording unprecedented results for reducing reoffending.

Of 66 men and women released from the programme in 2017/18 only three reoffended – a rate of less than 5 per cent, against a national average is around 67 per cent. Its success rate in supporting ex-offenders into employment is as significant, as more than 70 per cent moved into work, compared to a national average of around 27 per cent.

By reducing welfare dependency Recycling Lives created savings to the taxpayer worth £167,000 in 2017/18.

Recycling Lives’ residential charity offers accommodation, support and training to men facing homelessness. It supported six men into work and independent housing in the last year.

By reducing running costs for charitable groups Recycling Lives created savings worth £3.4m in 2017/18

Recycling Lives runs a Food Redistribution Centre taking surplus goods from supermarkets to deliver to charities and community groups. It delivered 945,000 meals via 180 organisations across Lancashire and Cumbria in 2017/18, allowing groups to reduce their running costs and channel funds into their core objectives.

Each charitable programme is supported and sustained by Recycling Lives commercial operations, comprising recycling, waste management, compliance and recruitment businesses operating nationwide.

William Fletcher, chief executive of Recycling Lives Group, said: “Reporting our annual Social Value figures allows us to reflect on the massive impact of our work – of the lives changed and communities improved.

"We’re proud to tell stories of parents rebuilding lives with their children on release from prison, men living independently for the first time, and charities expanding their services for vulnerable communities. We are able to deliver these programmes as more and more businesses see the commercial and social value of working with us.” The £8m savings Recycling Lives created in 2017/18 follows social value of £5.2m and £4.1m in 2016/17 and 2015/16 respectively. The business is committed to delivering social value relative to its business growth, which has expanded nationally and doubled its sales in recent years.

Latest news

1

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

2

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

3

Business academies to continue for an additional year Cllr Mark Smith (r) with Top Gun Tools & Fixings team presenting Blackpool Net Zero Academy certificate

Business academies to continue for an additional year

22 Apr 2025

4

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates Richard Robinson Feat IMG

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates

22 Apr 2025

5

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors Promotions at Farleys Solicitors

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin