Turn returns, surplus and waste
back into value.
Second Tide puts sustainable product and packaging designs into production, and runs returns, resale, refurbishment and material recovery for manufacturers, distributors and retailers. It is designed to recover cash first, and cut waste as a result.
Sound familiar?
If any of this describes where you are, we should talk.
Retailers and brands
Returns that cost more to process than they’re worth, and end up written off.
Manufacturers and distributors
Excess and obsolete stock sitting in warehouses, or going to landfill.
Finance and sustainability leads
Waste costs, packaging EPR and pressure to show progress, with a business case attached.
Our services.
Circular design, returns and recovery.
All servicesReturns management
Process returns quickly and route each item to its best outcome.
More →Excess and obsolete stock recovery
Find buyers and routes for stock you’d otherwise write off, working with BankStreet.
More →Repair, refurbishment and reuse
Extend product life through specialist partners.
More →Material recovery and recycling
Recover materials from what can’t be reused.
More →Packaging EPR and compliance
Practical help with packaging extended producer responsibility and related obligations.
More →Sustainable design roll-out and take-back
Putting sustainable product and packaging designs from Waterfront Advisory into production, and closing the loop at end of life.
More →Four steps. One outcome.
A clear sequence from first conversation to lasting result.
Assess
We look at returns, surplus stock and waste: volumes, value and current costs.
Route
Resell, refurbish, reuse or recover, decided item by item.
Set up
We put the recovery partners, logistics and processes in place with Convoy.
Track
Cash recovered and waste avoided, reported side by side.
Different by design.
How we work, compared with the way it’s usually done.
How it works| Feature | Second Tide | Write-off or disposal contract |
|---|---|---|
| Recovers value first | Always | Rarely |
| Every item routed to best outcome | Yes | One route for everything |
| Cash and waste reported together | Yes | No |
| Fees linked to value recovered | Available | Fixed disposal cost |
| Works with your logistics | Via Convoy | Separate |
Partners who power our work.
Technology partners we use across the Waterfront group, so data and results carry from one company to the next.
Spend analytics and carbon management: supplier spend cleaned and classified, savings opportunities sized, and emissions tracked by supplier and category.
Carbon impact of recovery routes
Supply chain apps and AI agents for network design, transport, flow and inventory optimisation, and forecasting.
Reverse network design
Sustainability and risk reporting tools for small and mid-sized businesses, from carbon accounting and double materiality to VSME reports.
Impact reporting for customers and regulators
One relationship. The whole supply chain.
Second Tide works alongside its sister companies, so you can start with one problem and draw on the wider group as you need it.
Don’t write it off yet.
Tell us what’s coming back or sitting idle. We’ll tell you what it could be worth.