Sectors we support
Ceres supports clients across the resources and waste sector
At Ceres Waste, Renewables & Environment (Ceres WRE), we deliver senior-level expertise with a proven track record of success in waste, recycling, and environmental consultancy. Unlike traditional firms, every project is led by experienced Directors who understand the commercial, operational, and regulatory realities of your business.
Our unique approach combines decades of industry insight with a deep understanding of client needs and ways of working - ensuring tailored, practical solutions that drive measurable results.
Find out more about the support we offer different client groups by clicking on the links.
Investors
Transaction and market expertise
At Ceres WRE, we have a long-standing track record of supporting financial transactions in the waste treatment and recycling infrastructure sector on both the vendor and investor side. Our Directors have worked on most of the major UK transactions involving energy-from-waste facilities, and we have advised on the sale and refinancing of anaerobic digestion facilities, advanced materials recycling facilities, ‘waste-to-molecule’ technologies, including advanced chemical recycling of plastics.
Specialist knowledge
We are recognised as market and policy specialists in:
Organics and anaerobic digestion
Waste wood biomass energy
Chemical recycling of plastics
Low-carbon and recycled fuels including sustainable aviation fuel
Conventional Energy-from-Waste
Feedstock quality, contracting, negotiation and auditing
Our expertise ensures strategic insight, technical depth, and commercial understanding for clients navigating complex projects and investments in the circular economy and low-carbon energy markets.
Infrastructure developers
Supporting infrastructure development
At Ceres WRE, we work with developers of new recycling and waste treatment infrastructure at every stage of the development process. We understand the pressures of funding, construction, and commissioning deadlines, and provide flexible, responsive support tailored to your needs.
Our role can range from acting as a strategic sounding board to delivering ad-hoc support packages, or working as an embedded partner within your development team throughout the project lifecycle.
How we support project developers
We offer specialist expertise in:
Site selection – based on feedstock availability, competition, and pricing analysis
Feedstock procurement – identification and due diligence of potential providers, plus contracting advice
Regulatory and compliance guidance – including permitting and End-of-Waste requirements
Investment support – vendor due diligence and transaction advisory for funding and refinancing
Our experience ensures risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and commercial success for developers navigating complex waste and recycling projects.
Waste and recycling businesses
Supporting your business objectives
At Ceres WRE, we work with a wide range of waste management companies, from the ‘Big 6’ national operators to regional businesses and independent firms. Our value lies in our deep understanding of feedstock markets, gate fees, pricing structures, technical and operational performance, and our recognised thought leadership on how environmental policy and carbon pricing are reshaping the sector.
We provide strategic and technical support that helps businesses adapt, grow, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Our services include:
Business growth and development strategies - providing advice and insight to assess markets and competition, identify growth opportunities and investment strategies
Site development appraisals and business case development for companies creating seeking to re-develop sites or progress greenfield projects
Policy impact analysis and thought leadership reports - including internal assessments and published studies aimed at influencing policymakers
Feedstock and site auditing for contract monitoring and compliance
Environmental management systems development and implementation to meet regulatory and sustainability goals
Our approach combines commercial insight, technical expertise, and policy knowledge to deliver solutions that drive profitability, compliance, and carbon reduction.
Our expertise
Policy makers and stakeholders
At Ceres WRE, our deep understanding of waste producers, collection systems, and treatment processes, especially the commercial and operational factors that drive behaviour and waste flows, positions us to help policy makers and industry stakeholders design effective measures and avoid unintended consequences.
Valued thought leadership
Our Directors have played a key role in shaping UK waste regulation, including:
Developing rules for specialist waste streams such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
Contributing to Quality Protocols for material recovery.
Originating the concept for the Digital Waste Tracking system, now being implemented by the UK Government.
Proven policy expertise
How we support policy development
We provide expert services to ensure robust, practical, and future-proof regulation, including:
Options development and appraisal
Impact analysis and assessment
Stakeholder engagement and coordination
Implementation advice and support
Our insights combine market knowledge, operational experience, and policy expertise, helping shape regulations that drive circular economy goals and carbon reduction.
Brands and manufacturers
Helping brands & manufacturers achieve sustainability goals
In today’s market, sustainability credentials directly influence costs, customer behaviour, and investment decisions. Brands and manufacturers face growing challenges in meeting net zero and circular economy targets while maintaining competitiveness.
At Ceres WRE, we help you reduce the carbon impact of your products and secure high-quality, genuine recycled content for packaging and products. Beyond recycling, we provide expert advice on alternative solutions, including compostable packaging and circular business models.
We deliver practical, strategic guidance across key areas:
Plastics Packaging Tax compliance
Mass balance methodology application
Recyclability assessments for packaging
Carbon impact analysis of recycling and biodegradation
Circular material flow assessment and implementation
Cross-value chain collaboration and industry platform management
Technology and infrastructure option identification
Our approach combines technical expertise, regulatory insight, and market knowledge to help you future-proof your products and supply chains.
Our support for brands & manufacturers
Legal services
Our directors have an extensive track record of supporting legal advisors and their clients with specialist sector expertise. We provide independent, authoritative guidance to inform the negotiation and renegotiation of feedstock contracts, assist in dispute resolution, and act as expert witnesses in both civil and criminal cases.
As recognised industry experts, we deliver impartial reports and credible testimony to strengthen your case. Both Dr. Stephen Wise and Simone Aplin are highly experienced, professional expert witnesses with proven expertise in the energy and feedstock sectors. Their services include:
Independent expert reports for criminal cases and civil disputes
Verbal evidence in court and hearings
Specialist advice on contractual and technical matters
Partner with us for reliable, sector-specific insight that stands up to legal scrutiny.
Tested expert opinion
Proven expertise across complex issues
We have a long and successful track record of supporting legal advisors and their clients in a wide range of cases, including:
Contract disputes involving commercial agreements and performance obligations
Technology performance disputes, assessing compliance with technical specifications
Criminal cases relating to illegal waste sites and environmental crime
Permit non-compliance and regulatory breaches
Environmental impact assessments for sentencing hearings
Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) cases, including analysis of the cost avoided and benefits gained through illegal activity
Civil claims relating to damage, financial losses, and contractual breaches
Our team provides independent, authoritative reports and expert testimony that stand up to scrutiny in both civil and criminal proceedings. With decades of combined experience, we deliver clarity and credibility in even the most complex disputes.
