Celebrating 40 Years of Fortress
Fortress Recycling is celebrating 40 years in business, marking four decades of growth, innovation and commitment to customers across the Midlands.
Throughout its history, Fortress has always been prepared to innovate and invest for the future. In 1997, Fortress purchased its first Front End Loader (FEL) vehicle, becoming one of the first in the UK to use the American-developed technology. This allowed the business to service larger industrial and commercial sites more effectively, supporting continued expansion.
In 2005, the company introduced
separate paper and cardboard collections. In 2008, Fortress became the
first waste management company in the UK to introduce weighing technology across its fleet, which enabled customers to pay by the average weight of their containers for the first time. This was followed in 2011 by another milestone, when we became the
first in the sector to achieve carbon neutral status. Our dedicated mixed recycling and food and glass recycling services soon followed as the company became
zero-waste-to-landfill.
Andy and Ann Pass retired in 2014 and ownership passed to their three sons Andy, David and Robert.
Fortress invested £5million in state-of-the-art recycling facility at its Warwick site in 2017, which transformed the company into a fully integrated recycling business with advanced processing capability. Today, Fortress has grown into one of the region’s most respected independent waste management and recycling businesses, supporting thousands commercial customers while continuing to play an active role in the communities it serves.
From its earliest days, Fortress has remained deeply connected to the communities it serves. The company supports local sports clubs including Kenilworth Rugby Club, Sutton Town Juniors and Whittington Cricket Club, and provides free waste and recycling services for a number of charity and community events across the Midlands, including Kenilworth Fireworks & Gala, the Two Castles 10K Run, Whittington Countryside Fair, Old Leamingtonians Rugby for Heroes, and the Bushwacked Bike Festival, which raises funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Today, Fortress continues to invest in more sustainable operations, with the installation of a new 290 kW solar power array in March 2026, helping to reduce energy costs and improve the environmental performance of our recycling plant.
Managing Director David Pass said: “We are immensely proud of the business we have built, with our reputation for quality of service and responsible waste management. But our proudest achievement is the team we have here, with many of our employees time-served for 10, 15 and in some cases over 20 years of loyal service. That helps us to foster the right values across the business and allows us to develop long-term and trusted relationships with our customers.”
Reflecting on the anniversary, Fortress’s story is one of resilience, service and family values. Forty years on, Fortress Recycling remains proud of its roots and excited about the future.
Here’s to the next chapter.
