Tom White Joins the Waste World Cup 

On 27th June, Tom White took part in the 2025 Waste World Cup hosted by Let’s Recycle, a national six-a-side football tournament that brings together organisations across the waste and recycling industries to play some football for a good cause. The annual event, held this year at Beaconsfield Rugby Club, offers a day of friendly competition and team-building whilst raising funds for a cause that matters to our sector and to us here at Tom White – encouraging recycling and reducing landfill waste. 

Goals For a Good Cause 

The Waste World Cup is more than just a friendly footballing event amongst colleagues. Established as a means to bring professionals together across the waste management industry, it’s a full-day event with a strong emphasis on fundraising, networking, and championing inclusion – all teams must field at least one male and female player on the pitch at all times, promoting diversity and participation across abilities. Companies have the opportunity to compete in up to six different tournaments  – Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, Vase and Jug – which ensures all players get plenty of time on the pitch and everyone has a chance to join the fun. 

This year, the event brought together businesses from Norwich all the way to Huddersfield, uniting industry leaders in playing football for a great cause. It was supported by key sector sponsors including Smart Solutions and URM, who helped deliver a well-organised and lively day whilst contributing towards the event’s fundraising goals. 

Playing For People 

Tom White’s participation in the Waste World Cup reflects our core commitments to wellbeing, inclusion, and the betterment of our wonderful local community here in Coventry and the West Midlands. Sport is a valuable way to build relationships across teams, bring people together and create shared experiences both internally and with others in the industry, as well as raise awareness and donations for a great cause!

We saw the event as an opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations, connect with other businesses in the waste sector, and celebrate our shared values in the spirit of friendly competition. At Tom White we take the happiness of our employees seriously, and so the role events like this play in supporting mental and physical wellbeing cannot be understated. Giving our team members the chance to represent Tom White on the pitch provided a platform for confidence, teamwork, and enjoyment, all of which contribute to stronger engagement across the business and encourage pride in what we do. 

Our Tom White representatives brought enthusiasm, teamwork, and a real sense of camaraderie and passion to the event. While we didn’t bring home a trophy this time, every player gave 100% and represented Tom White with professionalism and good spirit, giving us lots to be proud of. 

Away from the pitch, the day provided a chance to build valuable connections with others in the industry. From conversations with peers to cheering on the other teams, it was a great reminder of the strength of the waste and recycling community, and how passionate about progress each and every one of us are. 

Playing For Purpose 

Not just a day of friendly sporting fun, the Waste World Cup raises vital funds for WasteAid, a charity working to improve waste management practices in lower-income communities around the world. WasteAid provides education, infrastructure and training to help communities turn waste into opportunity while protecting public health and the environment.

The Tom White team is proud to contribute to a cause that aligns so closely with our own work here in Coventry and Warwickshire. Fiercely sustainable and champions of waste regeneration and reuse, we believe responsible waste management should be accessible to everyone, and supporting WasteAid helps extend that vision globally. 

Looking Ahead 

This year’s Waste World Cup was an overwhelming success, forging strong partnerships and connections within the waste management industry and raising money for a fantastic cause. We’re proud of how our players performed and grateful for the chance to participate and share in values of teamwork, sustainability, and inclusion for all. 

We’ll continue to support opportunities that bring our sector together and promote the beliefs which underpin the culture here at Tom White – people, planet, and purpose.

Thank you to the organisers, sponsors, and WasteAid for making this event a success, and we look forward to returning next year!