Family-owned manufacturer of recycling and refuse solutions, Cromwell Polythene, offers a fresh perspective on the way we manage waste
Founded in 1983 by James Lee, Cromwell Polythene has grown to become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of polythene and compostable film and bags into the waste management sector. The company’s history is deeply rooted in the Lee family’s entrepreneurial spirit, beginning with James Lee’s inspiration drawn from his father’s past involvement in plastics manufacturing in Hull. From its inception as a small family business, Cromwell Polythene has remained under family management, with Managing Director, Henry Lee and his two brothers Angus and Alexander now steering its growth.
In the early days, James Lee began by collecting scrap polythene from local businesses in his van, baling it, and selling it to recycling companies across the UK. As the business evolved, he began purchasing polythene bags made from the recycled materials he supplied, establishing a circular business model ‘before it was cool’.
Over time, Cromwell Polythene’s merchanting operations overtook, and for a couple of years, entirely replaced the recycling arm of the business. In doing so, the business has carved a commanding share of the market buying and selling refuse sacks and bin liners for local authorities and janitorial distributors.
“The merchanting side eventually overtook our recycling activities,” says Alex Lee. “There was a period when we were not engaged in recycling at all. Given our capacity at the time, we were spreading ourselves too thin trying to do both. In December 2019 however, we addressed this by investing in a UK recycling and manufacturing site of our own, allowing us to return to our father’s original vision for the business.”
Today, Cromwell Polythene sources, distributes, and manufactures a wide range of products aimed at the preservation, capture, and containment of resources, waste, and recyclables across the UK, managing a global supply chain which is now complimented by a British manufacturing division. These products range from bin liners to refuse sacks and protective sheeting and more technical industrial packaging films. With nearly all products made from recycled materials the business continues to honor its roots, with the addition of compostable films in the early 2000s.
Sustainable solutions
Managing Director Henry Lee explains: “Our primary products include refuse sacks and liners, feminine hygiene liners for sanitary bins, and bulk packing materials for industrial use. Polythene is an incredibly versatile material and from our manufacturing site, we produce a variety of items — everything from scented, anti-microbial sanitary bin liners to clinical waste sacks, and technical, printed packaging films. This versatility enables us to serve a broad range of customers.
“Every product we source, or manufacture is intended to capture or contain some form of material, whether it’s waste, recyclables, or goods in transit. We aim to promote efficient waste management and serve as a reliable and knowledgeable link in the supply chain for our trading partners. Nearly all our products contain recycled material, ranging from 30 to 100 percent, contributing positively to better resource management throughout the supply chain.” 
Cromwell Polythene’s innovative approach has enabled the company to diversify its offerings further. Alex Lee notes: “We have been exploring new markets to broaden our customer base, which has required innovative thinking about how our existing products can be adapted to different sectors. One recent success in this area is our new award-winning range of compostable gloves, branded as ‘Glovelee™.’ Made from compostable film, these gloves are designed for use in food preparation and hospitality settings, like cafes and delis. We are well placed to meet the increasing demand for compostable products as English local authorities align with those of the devolved nations in collecting food waste from commercial and residential sites over the coming years. Compostable gloves are a great addition to our product range and expand our reach to new environmentally conscious customers who want to see a reduction on their use of conventional fossil derived single use disposable gloves and food waste liners.”
Creativity and innovation
As the company continues to expand, it remains committed to its three founding principles of resourcefulness, relationships, and reliability. Henry adds: “Our first company goal is to foster a culture of excellence, encouraging everyone within the business to perform at their highest potential.
“Our second objective is to return to the circular business model that our father pioneered,” he continues. “We aim to recover and recycle as much polythene as we introduce into the market. It’s an ambitious goal, especially as we grow, but sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do.”
“Finally, we remain dedicated to ongoing development and exploration of products and markets. While we are well-established in the markets we currently serve, there is always more we can contribute through creativity and innovation. In doing so we aim to be industry leading and achieve a sustainable growth trajectory for this business.”
With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, Cromwell Polythene is poised for continued growth and success in the increasingly dynamic waste management sector.