But before we get into it, are you up to date with the new rules?
The law around business waste has changed. Under the government’s Simpler Recycling regulations, businesses in England with 10 or more employees have been required since 31 March 2025 to separate their waste into defined streams: residual waste, food waste, paper and card, and dry recyclables. That means if your business produces any food waste at all, even your employees’ lunch leftovers, you need to separate it from general waste and arrange a collection.
If your business generates glass waste, you’ll also need a separate bin and collection for that.
Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply, but there’s no reason not to get ahead of it now, especially when better waste separation can actually save you money.
And there’s more on the horizon. The UK government is preparing to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking from April 2026, which will require businesses to maintain detailed records of how their waste is managed and disposed of. Fines for non-compliance can reach tens of thousands of pounds, so getting your waste setup right isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal requirement.
The good news? If you follow the five steps below, you’ll be well on your way to meeting these obligations and cutting costs at the same time.
1. Audit what you’re throwing away
You can’t reduce what you don’t measure. Before making any changes, take a proper look at what’s actually going in your bins. You might be surprised how much recyclable material is ending up in general waste, or how much packaging you’re paying to dispose of that could be reduced at source. A simple waste audit gives you a clear starting point and helps you spot where money is being wasted.
2. Segregate your waste
Mixed waste is the most expensive type to process. When everything goes into one bin, it all gets treated the same way, and you pay the higher rate for the lot. By separating materials like cardboard, glass, food waste and general refuse, you can significantly reduce your disposal costs. It’s one of the quickest wins we see businesses make, and under the Simpler Recycling regs, it’s now a legal requirement for most businesses. If you haven’t set up separate streams yet, now is the time.
3. Use the right sized bins
It sounds obvious, but a lot of businesses are paying for bin capacity they don’t need. If your bins are routinely half-empty at collection time, you’re spending more than you should be. We can assess your actual waste output and match you with the right bin sizes, so you’re only paying for what you use.
4. Check your collection frequency
Weekly collections might feel like the default, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessary. Many businesses find that switching to fortnightly collections works perfectly well for their needs, and the savings can add up to hundreds of pounds over the course of a year. It’s worth reviewing whether your current schedule actually reflects how much waste you produce.
5. Keep it local
Where your waste goes matters. Using a local facility means shorter transport distances, which keeps costs down and reduces your carbon footprint. Our processing facility in Beccles means your waste doesn’t have to travel far, and because we handle recycling locally, we consistently achieve higher recycling rates than operators who ship waste further afield. The big national firms don’t always present the best value for money, often offering the same rates across the country.
Want to see where you could save?
We offer a free, no-obligation review of your current waste setup. We’ll take a look at what you’ve got in place, make sure you’re meeting the new Simpler Recycling requirements, identify where you could cut costs, and put together a straightforward recommendation. No pressure, no hard sell, just practical advice.
Drop us a message or call us on 01502 715146.
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