Modern Milkman Launches E-Waste Collection Service Alongside Grocery Deliveries
The Modern Milkman, a UK-based grocery delivery business, is launching an innovative new service that will see its delivery workers collecting unwanted electronic devices and broken toys alongside their regular milk, butter and orange juice deliveries.
Convenient Recycling Solution for Households
Starting this month, the company will begin collecting electronic goods and toys to pass on to recycling specialist EMR Group, which will either repurpose or recycle the items. Customers will pay £2.50 per collection bag for this service, creating a convenient recycling solution that integrates with their regular grocery deliveries.
Founder Simon Mellin explained the thinking behind the new initiative: "We did a lot of research and there is not really a convenient way to deal with this stuff." The service has already been trialled in four regions and will now be expanded across the company's UK operations.
Addressing Britain's Growing E-Waste Problem
The new service comes at a crucial time for electronic waste management in the UK. According to non-profit organisation Material Focus, British households now have an average of 30 broken tech items each - a significant increase from just 20 items four years ago. Britons dispose of approximately 2 million tonnes of electronic waste annually.
While retailers are now required to offer take-back schemes and some councils provide kerbside collections, many consumers still struggle to find convenient ways to dispose of smaller items such as cables, chargers and old mobile phones.
Business Growth and Future Plans
The Modern Milkman was founded by entrepreneur Simon Mellin in Burnley, north-west England, in 2019 and now delivers groceries to more than 100,000 households across the UK. The business operates through local independent suppliers and franchisees who employ delivery workers covering approximately 40% of the country, from Newcastle and Preston to London and Bristol.
Mellin, who grew up on a farm and left school without formal qualifications, described the business's early years as "a rollercoaster" as demand for deliveries surged during the pandemic before settling back. However, UK sales rose last year and continue to increase as the company reaches more homes and introduces new services.
The company has ambitious plans for the future, with Mellin stating they intend to tackle other waste streams such as soft plastics and textiles in coming years. "It is about how we build a stronger proposition and make ourselves more valuable to our customers," he explained, emphasising a focus on "sustainable growth rather than blowing the barn doors off."
International Expansion and Financial Performance
The Modern Milkman is also expanding its operations internationally, having acquired local businesses in the United States that serve homes in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio, and New York. Mellin reported that sales in the younger US business are growing "at pace."
Financially, the group saw sales rise 13% to £52 million in 2024, driven primarily by expansion in the US market. However, the company recorded a pre-tax loss of £6.3 million, an improvement from the £10.6 million loss in the previous year. Last year, sales increased by approximately 20% as both UK and US markets experienced growth, partly helped by the launch of a new loyalty scheme.
Competitive Grocery Delivery Landscape
The grocery delivery sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, with companies forced to adapt to heavy competition and a slowing market following the pandemic boom. Rapid grocery delivery specialists like Getir have closed down, while major supermarket chains including Tesco, the Co-op and Sainsbury's have expanded their own operations and partnered with delivery specialists such as Deliveroo and UberEats.
In a related development, Milk & More - the UK's largest specialist dairy delivery service - was sold by yoghurt maker Müller to dairy firm Freshways in January 2024 as the cost of living crisis impacted sales across the sector.
The Modern Milkman's new e-waste collection service represents an innovative approach to diversification in this challenging market, combining environmental responsibility with practical convenience for customers across the United Kingdom.
