The British summer brings crowds to beaches, pubs, restaurants, festivals and tourist attractions. It’s the busiest time of year for many businesses – and it also means a sharp rise in plastic waste. Disposable cups, bottled water, takeaway food packaging, sun cream bottles and snack wrappers are all part of the seasonal surge. Without an effective plan, plastic waste can quickly become unmanageable, leading to higher costs, overflowing bins and compliance issues.
360 Waste Management supports businesses across hospitality, retail and events with tailored waste services designed to handle summer demand – and continue all year round.
Why Plastic Waste Spikes in Summer
Plastic waste takes centre stage during the holiday season. From takeaway cartons to plastic pint cups at festivals, the volume of single-use plastic items can overwhelm normal waste systems. Some of the most common summer waste culprits include:
- Bottled water and soft drink containers – a staple in hot weather.
- Plastic cups and straws – widely used at outdoor bars, pubs and music events.
- Takeaway food packaging – fast food boxes, chip trays and plastic cutlery.
- Sun cream and toiletry bottles – small but numerous, especially in tourist areas.
- Snack wrappers and ice cream tubs – popular in all high-footfall locations.
This seasonal plastic waste is not only an environmental challenge but also a logistical one for businesses that need to keep their premises tidy and compliant.
Recent figures from Defra show that in 2024, the UK generated 2,149 thousand tonnes of plastic packaging waste, across all industries and environments. 53% of this was recycled. So there’s still a long way to go!
Staying Compliant with Recycling Regulations
Since March 2025, the Simpler Recycling regulations require businesses with more than 10 employees to separate recyclables, including plastics, into the correct waste streams. By March 2027, this will extend to businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees. Plastic bottles, cups and packaging should go into dry mixed recycling bins, while food waste must be separated for commercial food waste collection.
Using licensed business waste companies ensures waste is handled legally and sustainably. At 360 Waste Management, we make compliance straightforward by supplying the right commercial waste bins, setting up clear recycling points and providing full documentation.
Failing to separate plastic waste correctly can lead to contamination of other recyclables, extra disposal costs and potential fines – particularly at large public-facing events where scrutiny is high.
Reducing Plastic Waste at Source
While recycling is essential, reducing plastic waste in the first place can save businesses money and improve their sustainability credentials. Simple steps include:
- Reusable cup and bottle schemes – incentivise customers to bring their own or introduce branded reusables. You could get them sponsored too.
- Switch to recyclable or compostable alternatives – for food cartons and cutlery.
- Bulk buying stock – to reduce excess packaging.
- Training staff – on what belongs in food waste collections versus dry mixed recycling bins.
- Clear customer signage – at events, pubs or cafés to encourage correct recycling.
Small changes in operations can significantly cut down the amount of plastic heading for disposal.
How 360 Waste Management Supports Seasonal Businesses
We work with hospitality venues, tourist attractions and event organisers to create waste strategies that adapt to peak periods like summer.
Our services include:
- Free wheelie bins for businesses – available in multiple sizes from the smaller 120L and 240L up to the larger 660L and 1100L, perfect for seasonal waste surges.
- Commercial wheelie bin collection tailored to your schedule – daily collections during a festival, weekly pickups for a seafront café or anything else you need.
- Dry mixed recycling bins – to keep plastic, cans and cardboard separate and contamination-free.
- Sector specific waste collections – for catering and restaurant waste collections for pubs, takeaways and street food vendors.
- Full commercial food waste disposal support – alongside plastic recycling services.
Because bins are supplied free of charge, you only pay for the collections you need – making it cost-effective to increase recycling points in busy areas during the summer.
The summer holidays should be a time to make the most of increased trade – not worry about piles of plastic waste. Plan ahead and partner with a trusted waste management provider, so you can keep your business compliant, your site clean and your sustainability credentials strong.
360 Waste Management helps you manage plastic waste, food waste and general waste collections with flexible, reliable services tailored to the busiest times of year.
Contact us today for a free waste audit and see how we can streamline waste management for your business this summer.
