Stuart Hayward-Higham
Chief Technical Development & Innovation Officer
SUEZ Recycling & Recovery UK
Stuart Hayward-Higham is Chief Technical Development and Innovation Officer at SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, a role he has held since January 2023. With nearly 30 years of experience in the waste management industry, he has been instrumental in driving change and innovation.
Stuart is at the forefront of navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of waste management, particularly in the face of new legislation. His work focuses on emerging development activities, where he is responsible for delivering new solutions, techniques, and market intelligence to meet the business imperatives of SUEZ’s customers. His areas of expertise include harnessing waste as a resource, the manufacture of energy and biofuels, and enhancing waste mix resources through sorting, extraction, and value enhancement. Stuart is also dedicated to advancing circular economy-based products and solutions, helping to make these practices mainstream. He is a member the Government Circular Economy Task Force and packaging extended producer advisory group.
Throughout his career, Stuart has been a key player in making important policy changes, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), and other sustainability initiatives, accessible and workable. His efforts have helped the industry prepare for the challenges and opportunities posed by future environmental and regulatory changes. Known for his deep knowledge and enthusiasm, Stuart has earned praise from his colleagues and clients, who admire his ability to manage transitions and help the sector make the most of new UK waste legislation, benefiting both people and the planet.
