R&D Tax Credits For The Waste Management Industry
Get the sector experience you need to make a successful R&D tax relief claim
QLC helps waste management companies accelerate their R&D claims with our streamlined portal and expert team.
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With years of expertise in textiles R&D tax relief, QLC understands the complexities of your industry.
Whether you're innovating fabric production processes, developing advanced materials, or implementing sustainable technologies, we’ve supported textile companies of all sizes in claiming millions through R&D tax credits.
Trust QLC to help your business unlock the benefits you deserve.
How much could you claim?
The average R&D tax claim for an SME
For your own quick estimate, you can use our easy-to-use R&D tax calculator:
£ 55 k
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"I am really impressed with the efficiency of your work, and the results you got for our company. A very friendly, committed and obviously hardworking team. You made the whole process very easy."
Will Tompkins (Director)
Vintage and Classic Cars
"QLC successfully claimed credits for the past 2 financial years, this year was even better. They managed the application and claimed the R&D credit prior to our annual tax bill, making the whole process quicker, easier and more efficient than last year."
Andrew Forbes (Director)
Architecture
"A massive thanks to all your team, obviously with the current situation, this money couldn’t have come at a better time."
Ian Cooke (Director)
Engineering
"From our experience we have always found QLC to be efficient and thorough in their tax appraisals, carefully guiding us through the often complex process. They have a very approachable team, all of which have been able to offer excellent advice when needed."
Ben Reed (Director)
Architecture
"They are proactive and efficient in performing their service and I have been impressed by their dynamism."
Chris Wright (Director)
Motorsport Engineering
"Your company did exactly what you said it would do. It took far less time than the other company that we had used in the past. We are extremely pleased with the outcome."
Adrian Smith (Company Sec)
Manufacturing Firm
"I am really impressed with the efficiency of your work, and the results you got for our company. A very friendly, committed and obviously hardworking team. You made the whole process very easy."
Will Tompkins (Director)
Vintage and Classic Cars
"QLC successfully claimed credits for the past 2 financial years, this year was even better. They managed the application and claimed the R&D credit prior to our annual tax bill, making the whole process quicker, easier and more efficient than last year."
Andrew Forbes (Director)
Architecture
"A massive thanks to all your team, obviously with the current situation, this money couldn’t have come at a better time."
Ian Cooke (Director)
Engineering
"From our experience we have always found QLC to be efficient and thorough in their tax appraisals, carefully guiding us through the often complex process. They have a very approachable team, all of which have been able to offer excellent advice when needed."
Ben Reed (Director)
Architecture
"They are proactive and efficient in performing their service and I have been impressed by their dynamism."
Chris Wright (Director)
Motorsport Engineering
"Your company did exactly what you said it would do. It took far less time than the other company that we had used in the past. We are extremely pleased with the outcome."
Adrian Smith (Company Sec)
Manufacturing Firm
Common R&D activities in the waste management sector
Below is a comprehensive list of R&D activities in the waste management industry that may be eligible for R&D tax relief in the UK.
Recycling, waste and landfill
Recycling and waste processing innovation
- Developing new processes for sorting and separating mixed waste streams more efficiently.
- Designing systems to recycle materials that are traditionally difficult to process (e.g., textiles, plastics, e-waste).
- Innovating chemical recycling methods to break down plastics into reusable components.
- Creating new technologies for upcycling waste into higher-value products.
- Developing processes for the recovery of valuable materials (e.g., metals, rare earth elements) from waste.
Sustainable waste treatment
- Innovating anaerobic digestion processes to maximise energy output from organic waste.
- Developing methods for converting waste into biofuels or renewable energy.
- Creating more efficient composting processes for organic waste.
- Researching and developing systems for reducing emissions in waste treatment plants.
- Experimenting with advanced incineration methods to improve energy recovery while reducing environmental impact.
Landfill management and remediation
- Designing technologies to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
- Developing systems to extract and utilise landfill gas for energy generation.
- Innovating materials or techniques for landfill capping and leachate management.
- Researching new ways to remediate contaminated land using advanced bioremediation or chemical processes.
- Investigating methods to convert landfill materials into usable resources.
Technology
Advanced machinery and equipment development
- Developing innovative machinery for waste sorting, shredding, or compacting.
- Experimenting with robotics and AI for automated waste processing.
- Improving the efficiency and reliability of baling and compacting equipment.
- Designing new filtration or purification systems for liquid waste treatment.
- Developing portable or modular waste processing units for remote locations.
Digitalisation and technology integration
- Developing software for tracking waste streams and optimising collection routes.
- Creating AI algorithms for real-time waste sorting and categorisation.
- Building platforms for waste data management and regulatory compliance reporting.
- Innovating IoT-enabled sensors to monitor waste levels in bins or containers.
- Designing digital tools to predict waste trends and optimise treatment capacity.
Hazardous and medical waste management
- Developing safer and more efficient methods for disposing of hazardous or medical waste.
- Innovating processes to neutralise chemical or biological waste safely.
- Researching new containment materials for hazardous waste storage.
- Creating mobile treatment systems for on-site hazardous waste processing.
- Enhancing sterilisation techniques for medical waste disposal.
Process innovation
Circular economy initiatives
- Designing systems to transform waste materials into new products or raw materials.
- Researching methods to improve the quality and usability of recycled materials.
- Developing closed-loop systems to reduce dependency on virgin resources.
- Experimenting with innovative ways to reuse industrial by-products.
- Creating business models to facilitate waste-to-resource networks.
Energy from waste (EfW)
- Innovating gasification or pyrolysis technologies for energy recovery.
- Researching ways to improve efficiency in waste-to-energy plants.
- Developing methods to reduce emissions and by-products from EfW processes.
- Creating technologies to integrate waste-derived energy into renewable energy grids.
- Investigating advanced techniques for the storage of energy generated from waste.
Sustainability and environmental impact
- Reducing energy consumption in waste management processes.
- Innovating methods to minimise waste sent to landfills.
- Experimenting with biodegradable materials for packaging or waste collection systems.
- Developing processes to reduce water usage in waste treatment.
- Researching carbon capture technologies for use in waste management facilities.
Testing and validation
- Conducting trials to evaluate the performance of new recycling technologies.
- Testing innovative waste processing methods to meet regulatory standards.
- Developing in-house tools to monitor and analyze waste treatment efficiency.
- Performing stress testing on new equipment or machinery.
- Validating the environmental and economic benefits of new waste management solutions.
Regulatory compliance and safety
- Developing systems to comply with stringent environmental and waste management regulations.
- Innovating processes to meet international standards like ISO 14001.
- Researching and implementing technologies for safer waste transportation and storage.
- Creating tools to improve compliance tracking and reporting.
- Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of new waste processing techniques.
Why choose QLC?
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Waste management R&D tax credit FAQ
What activities in waste management qualify for R&D tax relief?
Qualifying activities include:
- Developing new recycling or waste processing technologies.
- Innovating methods for recovering valuable materials from waste.
- Creating systems to convert waste into renewable energy or biofuels.
- Designing machinery for waste sorting, shredding, or compacting.
- Researching sustainable or eco-friendly waste treatment methods.
Do routine operations qualify for R&D tax relief?
No, routine operations, maintenance, or process optimisation without technical uncertainty do not qualify. Only activities aimed at overcoming scientific or technological challenges are eligible.
Does developing software for waste tracking or route optimisation qualify?
Yes, if the software development involves solving technical challenges, such as integrating AI for predictive waste management or real-time tracking systems.
Eligible costs include:
- Staff salaries for employees working on R&D.
- Materials and consumables used in R&D activities (e.g., for prototypes or testing).
- Subcontractor costs (up to 65% of the eligible expenditure).
- Software licenses for design or monitoring tools used in R&D.
- Utilities directly used in R&D processes, such as electricity for machinery testing.
Are subcontractor and consultant fees eligible for R&D tax relief?
Yes, up to 65% of the costs for subcontractors or consultants involved in R&D activities can be claimed.
Can we claim for training costs for employees working on R&D?
Training costs are not eligible, but the time employees spend applying that training to R&D activities is.
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Are costs for regulatory compliance testing included?
Yes, if the testing addresses technical challenges or validates an innovative process, these costs may qualify.
Can we claim for waste-to-energy projects?
Yes, projects involving gasification, pyrolysis, or other innovative waste-to-energy methods often qualify if they involve resolving technical challenges.
Are circular economy or zero-waste projects eligible for R&D tax relief?
Yes, projects aimed at creating closed-loop systems, upcycling waste, or reducing landfill contributions often qualify, especially if they require significant technical innovation.
Does developing hazardous or medical waste solutions qualify?
Absolutely. Projects addressing challenges in safely processing, neutralising, or recycling hazardous or medical waste are often eligible.
Does developing AI or automation for waste management qualify?
Yes, activities like creating AI for automated sorting or real-time data analysis and implementing robotics for waste processing often qualify.
What happens if we’ve received government grants for R&D projects?
Receiving grants may affect your claim. Projects funded by grants are typically claimed under the RDEC scheme (Research and Development Expenditure Credit), which offers a lower benefit than the SME scheme.
Can we claim for sustainability-focused machinery development?
Are projects integrating IoT or blockchain for waste tracking eligible?
Yes, innovative projects involving IoT for monitoring waste levels or blockchain for ensuring supply chain transparency often qualify.
Can we claim for testing and prototyping new waste treatment methods?
Many architecture companies work with specialist advisors like us to ensure they maximise their claims and comply with HMRC’s requirements. Why not get in touch or start a trial of our R&D tax claim portal?