We’re built to last. A flourishing business for over a hundred years, we have decades of waste management experience at your disposal. Since our story began in 1920, Robert Hopkins Environmental has expanded, diversified and developed. Our enduring flair comes from placing our customers and our people at the forefront of our decision making.
Still owned and operated by the Hopkins family, we uphold family values by prioritising customer satisfaction and business integrity in delivering a quality service to you.
“I’m immensely proud to be part of our successful fourth-generation family-owned business. We continue to grow organically by focusing on our customers’ needs and investing in the knowledge and abilities of our hardworking team. Every day it results in us providing outstanding customer service from a place buzzing with energy and a great atmosphere.”
Gavin Hopkins
Director
As a growing team of 70+, we run a tight-knit operation, where our leadership team is active day-to-day in making sure we deliver a first-rate service to you.
Having the best people to advise and support your business is central to what we do. We attract logical problem-solvers who thrive on finding the best solutions. They work across our specialist team areas: Site Operations, Commercial, Transport, Industrial Cleaning, Technical and Compliance.
Challenged, encouraged and rewarded, our people succeed because they are valued and kept safe. It means we keep you and your business safely in line too.
We are one team that encourages, supports and cares for each other. By valuing, rewarding and praising our people, we motivate each other and enjoy the work we do.
We have a credible reputation for proactive compliance. In our fast-moving work, we respond to often challenging and hazardous settings by always protecting the safety of ourselves, other people and the environment.
We are efficient, accurate and consistent in providing a quality service.o The whole team contribute to the quality of our work so that customers can expect exceptional service and value for money.
We are creative in seeking to innovate for the benefit of our customers and our people.No one is perfect but we try to improve every day, by fostering originality and confidence to share ideas on how to do things better.
We are committed and passionate about our customers, our business and our achievements.Proud of our accomplishments, we will keep pushing ourselves to stay resilient and dedicated to meeting future needs.
We are one team that encourages, supports and cares for each other. By valuing, rewarding and praising our people, we motivate each other and enjoy the work we do.
We have a credible reputation for proactive compliance.. In our fast-moving work, we respond to often challenging and hazardous settings by always protecting the safety of ourselves, other people and the environment.
We are efficient, accurate and consistent in providing a quality service. The whole team contribute to the quality of our work so that customers can expect exceptional service and value for money.
We are creative in seeking to innovate for the benefit of our customers and our people. No one is perfect but we try to improve every day, by fostering originality and confidence to share ideas on how to do things better.
We are committed and passionate about our customers, our business and our achievements. Proud of our accomplishments, we will keep pushing ourselves to stay resilient and dedicated to meeting future needs.
Founded in 1920, our organic growth has made us a recognised and respected name in waste management and environmental
services. True to our family values, we take pride in our heritage and continuing ambition.
Robert Hopkins starts Robert Hopkins & Son as cooperage business in Old Hill, West Midlands, making wooden dolly tubs and barrels for big-name companies like Bass and Guinness.
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
Founded in 1920, our organic growth has made us a recognised and respected name in waste management and environmental
services. True to our family values, we take pride in our heritage and continuing ambition.
Robert Hopkins starts Robert Hopkins & Son as cooperage business in Old Hill, West Midlands, making wooden dolly tubs and barrels for big-name companies like Bass and Guinness.
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
1920
Robert Hopkins starts Robert Hopkins & Son as cooperage business in Old Hill, West Midlands, making wooden dolly tubs and barrels for big-name companies like Bass and Guinness.
1930s
We move to our current site on Bullock Street, West Bromwich. Drum cleaning and conditioning services begin.
1960s
Founder Robert Hopkins retires and Robert Hopkins Junior and his sons Robert and Norman take over the business. Wooden barrel manufacturing ends.
1970s
A devastating fire at the site in 1972 requires
rebuilding work and replacement of machinery.
Robert Hopkins Junior passes away leaving the
running of the business to Norman and his son Peter.
1980s
Moving away from drum conditioning, we diversify into hazardous waste.
1990s
Norman retires. Peter Hopkins and his wife Denise establish Robert Hopkins Environmental. The team expands with experienced waste industry professionals. A bulk transfer station is built to facilitate growing waste streams.
2000s
Quality management certifications ISO9001 and ISO14001 are achieved, and waste service partnerships forged with leading multinational companies.
2010s
A waste-to-energy concept is explored. Accountant Gavin Hopkins, son of Peter and Denise, joins the business. Investment made in new buildings and livery.
2020s
Upgrades accelerate with fleet expansion and comprehensive site and service improvements, including new lab and training premises and the creation of an industrial cleaning service.
2024
Expansion plans continue, with a secondary site developed as a nearby transport hub and further investment in our people development programme.
Doing the right thing is in our DNA. We’re known as compliance champions. Yet beyond waste industry regulations, we see our environmental and social responsibilities as more than just an add on. Led by sound ethics and the pursuit of effective sustainability, we try to work in the most responsible way possible. It’s a state of mind that governs everything we do.
Providing you with sustainable waste solutions is our core activity. Job by job, we review your waste streams to advise on how to improve performance in the waste hierarchy to lessen landfill waste. Naturally, improving environmental sustainability in our own business operations is important too.
Reduction in paper use in 2023 due to paperless consignment notes and digital reporting of customer waste disposal
Using things economically and sensibly, from gas to paper, vehicles to lights.
Highlights include:
Recycling of our waste plastic into new products
Making every item and journey count, extending use and keeping our carbon footprint down.
Highlights include:
R code waste recovery of our personal protection equipment, end-of-life bulk container packaging and contaminated cardboard
Doing our jobs thoughtfully and carefully, with the environment and other people in mind.
Highlights include:
We want to go further. Guided by our ISO quality standards, we’re working with sustainability consultants to explore more opportunities to reduce emissions to benefit our customers, our people and our community.
Cut in our own waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by 2030, aided by our Hardware-As-A-Service practices
Cut in our on-site electricity consumption
by 2030 from solar power and other
initiatives to save and generate energy
Launching a CO2 offset programme for our vehicles
Expanding the use of electric company cars and fitting electric chargers on site Further reducing our on-site domestic waste
We make a conscious effort to find ways to contribute to the circular economy, where waste and energy use is reduced and innovative waste solutions fuel the constant reuse of materials.”
Siobhan Hopkins
Continuous Improvement Manager
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