Commercial Waste

This section provides information and advice for businesses in South Bucks looking to minimize their waste, as well as providing advice on legislation and the legal requirements businesses have when it comes to recycling and disposing of commercial waste.

South Bucks District Council currently only provides a waste collection service for domestic properties and does not have a commercial waste or recycling service. Commercial or trade waste is the responsibility of the trader or company concerned who should have a trade refuse agreement with a licensed waste disposal company.

If you are looking for a commercial waste collection service the Environment Agency has a database of Registered Waste Carriers in your area (opens new window to environment agency)
Contractors can be found under Waste Disposal Services in Yellow Pages or try the new Waste Directory for Businesses (opens new window to waste directroy website)

Through environmental legislation, producers of waste are ultimately responsible for its disposal. Every business, no matter what size has a “Duty of Care” responsibility and must ensure that waste is contained safely and transferred to authorised waste carriers only.

Make sure you understand the Duty of Care regulations  and that you have a waste contract in place with a reputable waste service provider.

For free environmental guidance for small businesses in the UK please see the netregs website.

The council is not responsible for the content of external sites.

If your business has waste which could be used by school children in arts and craft projects, why not give it to the Aylesbury Reuse and Recycling Centre instead of paying to get rid of it? Please call 01296 425820 to see if it is suitable.

The benefits of waste minimisation and recycling to your business

It's easy to do
Implementing recycling schemes in your business are simple and straightforward to do. Once you have a system in place it is easy to follow. It's easy to use less, reuse what you can and separate out materials to recycle from your other waste. Ask your staff for their opinion on what would be a good ‘in-house’ recycling scheme and whether they have any suggestions on how to become more waste efficient.

It saves money
Would you like to save up to 4% of your turnover?
Waste management can be expensive. But reducing your waste means you could significantly reduce your waste disposal costs and your business could become more profitable.

It's beneficial for the planet
The production of waste in England is fast becoming one of the major issues we face. Sending waste to landfill is no longer an environmental or financially sustainable option and alternatives must be found.

Increased reduction and reuse efforts benefit the environment by reducing the quantity of raw materials required, as well as associated transportation of products and the damage this can do to the environment. Becoming more waste efficient will decrease the environmental impact of your business and help reduce your carbon footprint.

It's good for public relations
As we are all becoming more environmentally aware and taking responsibility for our own carbon footprints, promoting your business to customers, clients and staff as being environmentally responsible and conscientious can only be good. Not complying with waste regulations, illegal dumping or lack of environmental responsibility may result in negative publicity which may damage the reputation of your business.

Top-tips for businesses:
There are some simple steps you can take today to reduce, reuse and recycle your waste:

Reduce
• Print only what you need, and if you have to print, print on both sides or multiple pages
• Buy only what you need, improve your stock management and office efficiency
• Use cups and glasses instead of throw away plastic and paper cups

Reuse
• Refill toner and ink cartridges
• Use any waste paper as scrap paper in the office
• Ask your staff to “think before they throw” – someone else may find a use for it

Recycle
• Get a good recycling service provider that will help you recycle everything possible
• Explore companies that offer free recycling services for office equipment, including used toner and ink cartridges
• Buy recycled paper and products for office use. See the Recycled Products Guide for ideas.
Advice on reducing waste and environmental legislation can be accessed by contacting Envirowise on 0800 585 794 or at www.envirowise.gov.uk