DCW
The Process
What
Preserve and strengthen DCW’s trusted local identity while raising awareness of its sustainable commercial waste services before, during and after acquisition by SUEZ
How
Integrated PR and comms strategy including media relations, digital content, social media, email marketing, awards, events, website content, and crisis communications
Where
Regional and trade press, owned digital channels, live events, and industry platforms
When
2016 – present
The Challenge
Absolute has partnered with DCW for more than nine years, supporting the company’s growth and reputation as a leading independent recycling and waste management operator in the South West. In 2023, following DCW’s acquisition by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, our challenge evolved: to guide the brand through this new chapter while maintaining continuity of DCW’s strong Devon identity.
It was essential to preserve DCW’s established values, reputation and tone of voice, ensuring customers and communities continued to recognise and trust the brand, while also aligning with SUEZ’s values and expertise. Alongside this, we were tasked with continuing to build awareness of DCW’s full range of commercial waste services and highlighting its environmental and community impact to grow its customer base.
Our Solution
Absolute delivers a multi-channel communications strategy to raise DCW’s profile among regional businesses and communities, focusing on the company’s key differentiators. These include DCW’s bespoke service offering, personal approach to customer care, commitment to maximising recycling, and support for local initiatives. A major strand of this has been helping customers navigate new legislation, such as Simpler Recycling, through clear and timely communications.
Our approach includes:
- Developing compelling content such as case studies, features, and testimonials
- Creating and delivering an annual content calendar in collaboration with DCW and SUEZ
- Acting as a press office, securing coverage in both regional and trade media
- Managing digital channels including aspects of the website, blog, email newsletters, and social media
We have also supported brand visibility and engagement by:
- Designing and producing marketing collateral and sales materials for the regional sales team
- Securing tailored placements within sponsorship programmes and managing partner relationships
- Providing strategic and creative input on high-profile campaigns, such as a promotional video with Exeter Chiefs highlighting DCW’s recycling initiative at the stadium and creating a dynamic in-programme advertising campaign encouraging fans to recycle correctly on-site
To complement this, Absolute identified and leveraged opportunities for DCW to engage with the wider community — from sustainability conferences to local events— and coordinated award entries backed by robust evidence such as statistics, testimonials, and impact data.
What We Achieved
Through consistent, long-term communications support — and more recently, guidance through the SUEZ acquisition — Absolute has helped DCW protect and strengthen its reputation as a trusted, locally rooted recycling and waste management provider.
We secure regular regional and trade media coverage for business milestones, including the relocation to a new headquarters at Greendale Business Park, customer success stories, and community initiatives. Our e-communications programme consistently achieves open rates well above the industry average, while regular blog content enhances both audience engagement and SEO.
On social media, Absolute continues to deliver a strategy that maintains DCW’s distinctive voice while aligning with SUEZ where appropriate. Our content — spanning video, news updates, and campaigns — strengthens customer relationships and positions DCW as an expert in its field, achieving strong results such as a 20% increase in organic followers on LinkedIn, a 60% increase in interactions and over 145% increase in impressions.
Overall, our work has ensured DCW’s identity and values remain clear and compelling, helping the company to grow its customer base, retain community trust, and move forward with confidence as part of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK.
Conclusion
By blending strategic insight and hands-on delivery, Absolute has supported DCW for nearly a decade — guiding the company through major milestones, including its acquisition by SUEZ. Our work has helped DCW protect and strengthen its brand identity, stay connected to the communities it serves, and continue to grow its reach, reputation, and impact.