From Humble Origins
to Class Leaders

J&B Recycling's original history started many years earlier in the 1970’s, from the beaches of Seaton Carew when the parent company founded by Alan Jackson provided the fuel that powered many power stations and steel works throughout the UK. Trading Solid Fuels from Baltic Street in Hartlepool this site went on to become the first of the four sites of J&B Recycling, that established in 1998. Vikki Jackson-Smith founder of J&B Recycling started in the family solid fuel business as a Weighbridge Clerk, then becoming Transport Manager and running the logistics of the business. When Alan made the decision to retire following the changes in the solid fuel industry, he offered his daughter Vikki the opportunity to develop the Baltic Street site and continue to work with the current workforce and assets.

Vikki established J&B Recycling in 1998 to diversify from the parent company's solid fuel business into recycling and waste management and the diversification safeguarded the jobs of the company's 20 employees. The decision was taken to look to recycling and waste management, as there were significant synergies with regard to the existing key skills and knowledge of the company and its employees.

J&B Recycling has developed its business through the building of two Materials Recycling Facilities in Hartlepool, one that now processes all types of waste, whilst the other specialises in kerbside recyclables. The Company handles the collection, processing, and recycling of over 200,000 tonnes of waste materials each year.

The development of the company has seen it grow from a small family managed business into a reputable, established recycling and waste management company recognised nationally, now employing over 200 people.

In 2014, J&B embarked on a major expansion and automation upgrade of its facilities. Anticipating that any future success would be based on delivering high quality recyclable materials, the Company secured growth capital investment from BGF to fund its expansion. BGF are the largest provider of growth capital in the UK. With a fund of £2.5 billion, having BGF as an investor in J&B provides the financial fire-power to further drive expansion and processing capability across the North of England.