How Much Does Business Waste Management Cost?

Dealing with waste is an important part of day-to-day business management, but how much does waste management cost?

What Is Commercial Waste?

Commercial waste refers to waste materials produced through commercial or business operations. It includes a range of items, such as office paper, packaging, food waste, leftovers, and construction debris.

Although you can dispose of it yourself (more on that later), professional commercial waste disposal services can make your life easier when it comes to getting rid of your rubbish.

Who Is Responsible For Your Commercial Waste?

In short, you are. As is the case with personal waste, the management of commercial waste is primarily the responsibility of the person who produces it. In this case, that's your business. 

However, while your business is accountable for handling its own commercial waste, you are free to use the services of a waste management company.  Many waste management companies offer such services, and many businesses like yours choose to use them as they often offer quick and easy solutions to your business' waste management. 

How Much Does Commercial Waste Cost?

While the cost of commercial waste depends on various factors, it is possible to get a rough idea of the specific cost to your business by looking at the rates offered by waste management companies. 

Different companies offer different services, whether it's hiring a wheelie bin, which costs a relatively low amount, or hiring an industrial-size skip, which comes with a higher cost. A good place to start is with our article on some of the most popular waste management companies in the UK, which takes you through some of the options available. 

The company you choose will either offer a one-off collection or require you to pay a monthly fee for continual bin hire and disposal. Both of these options have benefits, and the best one for you will depend on the needs of your business.   

What Influences The Cost Of Commercial Waste?

The cost of managing your commercial waste will depend on the size and type of your business. Some businesses, like demolition companies or restaurants, will naturally produce more waste than others. The cost of bin hire, waste collection, and waste disposal will go up the more waste you dispose of. 

Another factor to consider is the type of waste you produce. Different procedural requirements are depending on what kind of waste is being disposed of. A pest control business that consistently produces hazardous waste can expect to pay more than an office that only produces paper waste, for example. 

Commercial waste management is an expenditure your business needs to be prepared for. As your business grows, so will the cost of your waste disposal, and you must have a waste management plan in place. Having one will allow you to absorb the cost of waste management more easily.   

Types Of Business Waste

Waste that's harder to dispose of safely comes with a higher cost when it comes to waste management. Some waste, such as batteries, gas canisters, and asbestos, is classified as hazardous and therefore requires more care, and money, to get rid of.

If the waste you produce is hazardous, you need to make sure that the waste management firm you use can dispose of it properly. You also need to have enough bins to separate it from your non-hazardous waste, as mixing the two types of waste is a criminal offence. 

Recyclable waste, such as paper and cardboard, doesn't come with the same risks as hazardous waste, so it costs less to get rid of. Similarly, waste that is neither hazardous nor recyclable is also cheaper to dispose of; this includes food waste, plastic bags, and construction debris. 

There are several recycling, food waste, and general waste collection companies that can do this for a relatively cheap price. Remember though, the more waste your business produces, the more you will typically pay for waste management; regardless of the type of waste concerned.  

Other Waste Management Costs

As well as the actual cost of disposal, which the waste management company will pass on to you, there are also other, perhaps less obvious fees you need to be aware of. Things like bin hire costs and bin collection costs are probably ones you've seen coming, but have you thought about waste transfer costs, landfill tax, or admin fees?

As you've probably guessed, these are all costs that are initially covered by the waste company you use, so you don't need to worry about how they all work. You do, however, need to be aware of how much they could cost you. 

Waste Transfer Costs

Transfer costs are incurred when refuse is moved through a waste transfer station, which is where it's sorted before being sent to its next destination. As is the case with disposal, the more difficult the waste is to sort, the more it costs. However, there aren't usually any transfer costs for paper and cardboard. 

Landfill Tax

The government enforced landfill tax changes every year. Currently standing at £102.10 for most waste and £3.25 for inactive waste (soil and rocks), it's the price businesses pay per tonne of waste they send to landfill. The tax applies to all waste that is disposed of in a licensed landfill site, unless the waste is specifically exempt.

The charge will likely be passed onto you by the company you use to manage your waste, so using a company that doesn't send any waste to landfill could save you significant money. 

Admin Fees

Admin fees are something you, as a business, are probably aware of. Waste management is no different, and also comes with a fair amount of paperwork. 

Admin charges apply for things like legally transferring the ownership of your waste to the waste management company you use, or gate fees incurred when your waste is taken into a recycling plant or landfill site. 

Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to avoid any of these costs, but it's good to know about them, as it means you won't have any nasty surprises further down the line.