If you run a business, you’re probably creating more waste than you realise. It affects your costs, your carbon footprint, and your legal compliance.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What counts as commercial waste
- Five of the most common waste types businesses produce
- How to deal with each type safely and efficiently
- Answers to common questions
- Plus, what your business can do to improve its waste management starting today
Let’s start by making sense of what commercial waste actually means.
What Is Commercial Waste?
“Commercial waste” refers to waste generated by businesses, institutions, shops, offices, factories, restaurants and any other non-domestic sources. It’s different from household waste. While households deal with bins for recycling, general waste, and compost, businesses often produce larger volumes and more varied types of waste.
In England, local authorities have obligations to manage commercial waste services, but the responsibility for safe disposal usually lies with the business. Regulations require that waste is stored, collected, and disposed of in a way that protects health and the environment.
Five Common Examples of Commercial Waste
Below is a table summarising five typical waste types, along with sources, challenges, and tips for handling them:
| Type of Waste | Where It Comes From | Key Challenges | Handling Tips |
| Paper & Cardboard | Offices, shops, packaging, invoices, promotional materials | Bulky, takes storage space, contamination (e.g. used cups) | Separate clean paper streams, balers, recycling contracts |
| Food & Organic Waste | Restaurants, cafeterias, food processing, hospitality | Rapid decay, odors, pest attraction | Apply food waste bins, composting, anaerobic digestion |
| Packaging Waste | Goods packaging, shipping boxes, pallets, plastic wrap | Mixed materials, non-recyclables (e.g. coated plastics) | Reduce packaging, choose recyclable materials, bulk reuse |
| Electronic Waste (E‑waste) | Computers, printers, phones, appliances | Hazardous components (lead, mercury), data security | Use certified e-waste recyclers, wipe data, reuse or refurbish |
| Hazardous & Chemical Waste | Cleaning supplies, solvents, batteries, paints | Legal restrictions, special containers, safety hazards | Use licensed hazardous waste contractors, store safely, follow SDS |
These waste types consistently account for large shares of what businesses throw away. For example:
- Paper and cardboard made up over 20% of commercial waste by weight in many sectors.
- In the hospitality sector, food waste often drives up disposal costs dramatically because it generates high moisture content and odour risk.
- E-waste is growing faster than many other waste streams, driven by electronics turnover and obsolescence. According to the Global E-waste Monitor, the world generated 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2019, and business sources are a part of that.
- Hazardous waste is less in volume but high in risk, and improper disposal can lead to fines, cleanup costs, or health hazards.
Because these five types tend to be high-volume, high-cost, or high-risk, focusing on them gives the biggest returns in waste management efforts.
How do you legally dispose of commercial waste in the UK?
Businesses must follow the Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. That means you must use a licensed waste carrier, keep waste transfer notes, and ensure the waste is stored and handled so it doesn’t escape from control. You also must keep records, including what was taken, by whom, and where it was disposed of or recycled. If you fail, you can face fines or legal action.
Can your mixed waste go to the same bin, or does it need sorting?
Mixed waste is legal, but it reduces your recycling rate and often costs more to landfill or treat. For best efficiency and lower cost, businesses separate waste streams — paper, food, packaging, electronics, etc. — at source. Many local waste contractors will charge a premium for mixed waste because they have to sort it later, which is more labour-intensive.
What’s the cost difference between recycling and sending waste to landfill?
Recycling generally costs less per tonne than sending waste to landfill, especially when you compare the hidden environmental or regulatory costs. But there are exceptions: some materials (like certain plastics or contaminated waste) might cost more to recycle. Over time, low landfill rates, climate levies, and environmental regulations tend to increase landfill costs, making recycling more attractive.
How often should you review my waste contractor or service?
It’s wise to review your waste services annually. Things change, your business may grow or shrink, regulation may change, or new contractors might offer better service or price. Review your volumes, contract terms, recycling rates, and whether the contractor meets sustainability or reporting needs.
What happens if your waste includes confidential or sensitive data (e.g. on electronics)?
You must ensure data is securely destroyed before disposal or recycling. Certified e-waste recyclers will often guarantee that data is wiped or destroyed. Keep records of the service and chain of custody. For certain sectors (financial, healthcare) there may be added legal duties around secure disposal.
Also read: The Shocking Truth About Electronic Waste: A Call to Responsible Disposal
Can you get fined for improperly handling commercial waste?
Yes. If your business fails to follow Duty of Care, uses an unlicensed waste carrier, doesn’t keep records, or improperly stores or disposes of hazardous waste, environmental regulators can issue fines, enforcement notices, and even prosecution. So proper documentation and compliance are essential.
Start Managing Waste More Effectively
If your business is ready to improve waste management, here are steps with real value:
- Perform a waste audit — identify volumes of different waste types over a month
- Segregate waste streams — make it easy for staff to separate paper, food, packaging, e-waste, hazardous
- Choose appropriate contractors — certified, licensed, with recycling options
- Measure and report — track volumes, cost per kg, recycling rates
- Set targets — aim to reduce quantities of waste in the most expensive or harmful streams
- Educate staff — recycling, reuse, waste minimisation habits
- Review packaging and procurement — buy less packaging, favour recyclable inputs
Every business is different. The goal is to reduce cost and risk while improving sustainability, not to complicate operations.
Work With A Trusted Commercial Waste Partner
At A R Richards, we provide tailored waste collection, recycling, and disposal solutions to businesses of all sizes. Whether you produce a lot of paper, food waste, electronics, or hazardous materials, we can help streamline your waste processes and reduce your environmental footprint.
If you’d like help auditing your current waste, finding more sustainable disposal options, or setting up regular services, get in touch with us today. We’re ready to help you turn waste into a manageable, cost-effective process.
