Running a business means managing every expense carefully – and waste disposal is no exception. With landfill costs rising and the government’s Simpler Recycling regulations now in force, getting your waste management right can make a real difference to your bottom line.
Thankfully, there are simple, practical ways to reduce costs without cutting corners on compliance or sustainability. Here are seven tried-and-tested ways to save on your business waste collections.
1. Waste less, pay less
The easiest way to save money on waste is to produce less waste in the first place. Carry out a quick review of what you’re throwing away each week – and where. Are recyclable materials ending up in general waste? Could packaging be reduced or reused?
Every kilogram of general waste you prevent saves on costly landfill disposal. Encourage staff to use recycling bins properly and consider a “reuse before you bin” policy for office supplies or packaging.
- 360 Waste Management provides free recycling bins and on-site signage to help you separate waste effectively and keep costs down.
2. Match your bin sizes and collections to your needs
If your bins are consistently overflowing, you could face excess weight charges. If they’re often half-empty, you’re paying for unnecessary collections. The right bin setup can make a huge difference to your waste bill.
Whether you need compact 240-litre bins for smaller spaces or 1100-litre wheelie bins for higher volumes, we’ll match your setup to your waste output and adjust collections seasonally.
- When you use 360 Waste Management, you can change your waste collection frequency or bin size anytime – no hidden costs, no long-term lock-ins.
3. Keep your recycling clean
Contaminated recycling (such as food waste or liquids in dry mixed recycling (DMR) bins) can lead to rejected loads and extra charges. Keep your recycling clean with clear bin labelling, colour-coded lids and quick staff reminders on what goes where.
- We can supply clearly marked bins and provide training materials to help your team recycle correctly – simple steps that save money in the long run.
4. Separate food waste – it’s cheaper and now mandatory
Under the 2025 Simpler Recycling rules, any business producing over 5kg of food waste per week must separate it from general waste. Having a dedicated food waste collection can actually reduce your costs because food waste is processed differently and doesn’t attract high landfill disposal fees.
- 360 Waste Management makes compliance simple with dedicated food waste bins, flexible collections, and zero bin rental fees.
5. Don’t pay for air – compact or bale where you can
You don’t need expensive machinery to reduce waste volume. Simple steps like flattening boxes, squashing bottles and breaking down packaging can reduce the number of bins you fill each week.
If you produce large amounts of cardboard or plastic, a small baler or compactor could be a smart long-term investment. But for most businesses, just compacting manually and planning storage better can cut collection frequency – and costs.
- We can help you assess whether compacting or baling would save you money through our free waste audit.
6. Share collections or centralise across multiple sites
If your business operates across multiple locations, consolidating your commercial waste collections under one provider can unlock bulk savings and simpler invoicing. Even neighbouring businesses can sometimes coordinate collections to reduce transport costs.
- 360 Waste Management offers multi-site contracts and consolidated reporting to make managing your waste – and your budget – simpler.
7. Choose a transparent waste management partner
Finally, make sure your waste management provider offers clear pricing and real flexibility. Some business waste companies add rental or admin fees that quietly increase your total cost. Others tie you into rigid schedules or charge for service changes.
- At 360 Waste Management, bins are always supplied free, prices are transparent and our local team is on hand to help you adapt your waste management as your business grows.
Small adjustments mean big savings
Saving money on your waste collections doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. By improving segregation, adjusting your collections, keeping recycling clean and partnering with the right waste management company, you can cut costs by up to 30% – all while staying compliant and greener than ever.
Get your free waste audit today. Call 01892 240541 or email office@360recycling.co.uk to see how much your business could save.
