Did you know that only 16% of the 2.1 billion metric tonnes of solid waste generated each year is recycled? Global Recycling Day serves as a pivotal reminder of the importance that recycling plays in preserving our planet’s natural resources and combating climate change, marking a key opportunity for businesses to step up their sustainable waste management efforts. Read our top tips below to start implementing simple yet effective recycling strategies within your business.

When is Global Recycling Day?

Global Recycling Day takes place on March 18th each year. Established in 2018 by the Global Recycling Foundation, this day emphasises the need to view waste materials as valuable resources. It promotes the concept of recycling as the ‘Seventh Resource’ alongside the planet’s six primary resources: water, air, coal, oil, natural gas, and minerals. The 2025 Global Recycling Day theme is ‘breaking barriers’, which highlights the importance of stakeholder participation to address the global waste management crisis.

Why should your business get involved in Global Recycling Day?

Businesses are at the forefront of environmental impact, both in terms of resource consumption and waste generation. As stated by Global Recycling Day, “there is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity. Each year the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030.” 

But aside from the wider sustainability benefits that come with preserving our planet, what advantages can participating in Global Recycling Day bring to your business?

Customers and stakeholders are increasingly favouring businesses that prioritise sustainability, so participating in Global Recycling Day 2025 can enhance your company’s reputation and even increase sales. Involving staff in your recycling initiatives fosters a culture of responsibility and teamwork, making your business a more desirable place to work. And, not to mention, recycling also leads to significant cost savings, helping to improve your bottom line.

Top tips for participating in Global Recycling Day 2025

1) Conduct a waste audit

Begin by conducting a comprehensive waste management audit. This involves assessing the types and quantities of waste your business produces on a daily basis. This audit will identify key areas where your recycling efforts can be improved.

2) Establish comprehensive recycling programmes

Once you’ve completed a waste audit, you can begin to make improvements to your current recycling programmes. Ensure that recycling bins are conveniently located throughout your premises and clearly labelled for materials such as paper, plastics, glass, and metals. You could also consider collaborating with a trusted waste management company, like McCarthy Marland, to manage the collection and processing of your recyclable materials.     

3) Educate & involve your employees

It’s no good just placing a few recycling bins around your premises if your employees aren’t on board. Hold regular training sessions to educate your staff on proper recycling practices and the environmental impact of waste. You could even introduce rewards for individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to recycling initiatives. 

4) Participate in community events

Global Recycling Day is all about getting out and about in the community to aid with recycling efforts. Engage your employees in local clean-up activities to help showcase your business’ commitment to environmental stewardship. Or, introduce some friendly competition to make recycling a bit more fun, and challenge other businesses or departments to recycling contests. And don’t miss the opportunity to shout about these events on your company’s social media pages. 

5) Partner with other sustainable businesses

Consider partnering with likeminded eco-friendly businesses to strengthen your commitment to a circular economy. Purchase your office supplies and packaging from companies that utilise recycled materials, or explore biodegradable alternatives to further reduce waste.

Improve your business’ recycling efforts with McCarthy Marland

At McCarthy Marland, we understand the challenges that businesses face with regards to managing waste sustainability. We offer a range of tailored commercial and industrial waste management solutions to handle various waste streams, including wheelie bin hire, skip hire, and waste collection. We achieve an average recycling rate of 95% across all four of our recycling centres – so, by partnering with us, you can be confident that we will recover and recycle as much of your waste as possible. 

Get in touch today to discover how we can help support your business’ recycling efforts.

As of 31st March 2025, England is set to implement a new ‘simpler recycling’ legislation, which marks a significant stride towards improving recycling efforts across the nation. This new framework aims to standardise recycling practices, making it easier for households and businesses to manage their waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

In today’s blog, we explore everything you need to know about the new simpler recycling regulations, and share some practical tips on how your business can prepare for the changes.

Understanding the simpler recycling regulations

The simpler recycling legislation introduces several new guidelines regarding waste separation and collection. The overarching goal is to create a consistent waste management system across England and increase recycling rates.

From 31st March 2025, all businesses and non-domestic premises in England with 10 or more employees are legally required to segregate their waste into the following categories:

• Dry recyclable materials – this includes plastics, metals, glass, paper, and cardboard
• Food waste – all food scraps and leftovers
• Residual (black bin) waste – non-recyclable waste that doesn’t fit into the above categories

However, businesses with less than 10 full-time employees have until 31st March 2027 to comply with these requirements.

Following these changes, businesses must implement internal systems to separate waste at the source. They’ll also be encouraged to partner with licensed waste management companies to ensure that segregated waste streams are collected and processed in compliance with the legislation. Non-compliance with these recycling laws could result in hefty fines and penalties, so it’s vitally important that your business understands and adheres to the new regulations.

You can discover more about the new workplace recycling rules in England via the official government website. 

How your business can prepare for the changes

There are a number of steps that your business can take to ensure a smooth transition into the new recycling framework. These include:

Conduct a waste audit

The first step to preparing for the new workplace recycling rules is to assess the types and volumes of waste your business generates. This will inform any necessary adjustments to your current waste management practices and help identify key areas for improvement.

Educate & train your staff

Make sure that all your employees are aware of the new requirements and understand how to properly segregate waste in the workplace. Ensure that you provide clear training sessions to help your employees comply with the legislation.

Partner with a waste management provider

Reach out to a reputable waste management company, like McCarthy Marland, to facilitate waste collection and ensure proper disposal of recyclable materials. This will provide peace of mind that your waste is being managed in a compliant and environmentally friendly manner.

Review & optimise your waste practices

Regularly assess your waste disposal methods and make any necessary adjustments that will aid your recycling efforts. For example, you may decide to introduce more recycling stations throughout the workplace to encourage proper waste segregation among employees.

Choose McCarthy Marland as your commercial waste management partner

Our friendly team at McCarthy Marland are committed to supporting businesses across England throughout the transition to a new ‘simpler recycling’ norm. 

We offer a comprehensive range of commercial waste management services that are specifically designed to improve your recycling and composting rates, including the provision of recycling bins and regular collection schedules tailored to your needs. We are always on hand to provide expert advice and guidance on which waste management solutions are right for your business, so you can segregate your waste with confidence.

Need support with your business’ waste management practices? Whether you’re completely new to recycling or a seasoned expert, we will support you every step of the way to simpler recycling compliance. Get in touch today to begin your journey toward recycling excellence.

UK businesses generate huge amounts of waste each year. According to official government statistics, businesses in England produced around 33.6 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in 2022. To streamline your operations and manage your waste more efficiently, it’s vital that you choose the right wheelie bins for your business needs. But how can you determine which wheeled bins are best for your organisation? 

In this blog, we delve into the factors to consider when selecting the correct commercial wheelie bins for your business.

Waste volume

When choosing the correct wheelie bin for your business, the first thing to consider is the volume of waste that your business typically generates, as well as how much waste you expect to produce in the future. Conducting a waste audit enables you to accurately measure your organisation’s waste streams and make informed decisions about which business wheelie bin you need.

Size selection 

Once you’ve identified how much waste your business produces, you can then choose your commercial wheelie bin size. You should always match the bin size to your waste output – for example, smaller bins are better for low-volume establishments, whereas larger bins are more suitable for large quantities of waste.

At McCarthy Marland, we offer the following wheeled bin sizes:

• 240 litre wheelie bins – ideal for small to medium-sized enterprises that produce a moderate amount of waste, these bins house between 3-5 bags of waste
• 360 litre wheelie bins – suitable for medium-sized businesses that produce a considerable amount of waste, these bins accommodate 6-8 bags of waste
• 660 litre wheelie bins – ideal for large businesses that generate significant waste, these bins hold between 8-10 bags of waste
• 1100 litre wheelie bins – perfect for large manufacturing or industrial sites that produce huge amounts of waste, these bins handle 15-18 bags of waste 

Read our blog post on ‘how to choose the perfect wheelie bin size’ for further information.

Waste types

As well as the volume, you should also measure the types of waste that your business generates. Take the time to determine if you produce mainly paper and cardboard waste, or whether you tend to throw away masses of glass bottles, for example. It’s important to remember that hazardous waste is not suitable for disposal in wheeled bins and should be sent to a specialist facility. 

We offer the following types of bins for businesses:

• General waste bins – for non-recyclable waste 
• Dry mixed recycling & recovery bins – for all recoverable and recyclable waste, apart from food or glass
• Food waste recycling bins 
• Glass recycling bins

Frequency of collections

Another key consideration when choosing the correct wheelie bins for your business is how often your waste will be collected. This can help inform which commercial wheelie bin size you need – for example, if your waste will be collected multiple times per week, you may not need the largest size. You should adhere to a regular waste collection schedule throughout the year, and arrange additional collections during peak periods if needed. 

Bin placement

You’ll also need to think about where you will position your bins around the workplace. Make sure you position your business wheelie bins in locations that are easy to access, and ensure that there is sufficient clearance around the bins to manoeuvre them. This will make the waste collection process much smoother.

Lockable lids

Finally, you might want to consider choosing business wheelie bins with lockable lids. These can help deter thieves and pests, as well as preventing unpleasant odours. McCarthy Marland’s commercial bins all come with lockable lids for added security, so you can rest assured that your waste is stored securely. Once your wheelie bins are on site, encourage your staff members to close the lids securely after disposing of any waste.

Choose McCarthy Marland for all your business wheelie bin needs

As one of the leading waste management companies in the South of England, we offer a wide selection of business wheelie bins that are specifically tailored to your requirements. As well as supplying the bins, we will also collect all your general and recyclable waste at a time that suits you, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily operations. 

Contact us today to discuss your business wheelie bin needs.

In today’s eco-conscious world, many businesses are now seeking to minimise their environmental impact by sending zero waste to landfill. Transitioning to a zero waste business is no easy task, and taking those first steps to reducing your commercial waste can be a daunting process. But by setting clear waste management goals that are specifically tailored to your commercial needs, you can begin to minimise your business’ environmental footprint, whilst also enhancing your corporate social responsibility.

In this article, we delve into all things zero waste, and explore how your business can achieve these ambitious waste management goals. 

What does zero waste mean?

Zero waste is a specific approach to waste management that aims to divert 99% of waste away from landfills. This concept goes far beyond recycling, and instead focuses on embracing a circular economy. A zero waste business model involves reducing, reusing, and recycling to ensure that raw materials are kept in use for as long as possible, helping to conserve our natural resources and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfill sites.

How to become a zero waste business in 2025

1) Conduct a Waste Audit

The first step to becoming a zero waste business is to conduct a comprehensive waste audit. It’s vital that you understand the quantities and types of waste that your business is generating and what happens to this waste before you make any changes. This process involves collecting data on the materials, supplies, and resources being used in your daily business operations. You can then easily identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, allowing you to set realistic and achievable zero waste goals. 

2) Educate & Involve Your Employees

Employee engagement is essential for achieving your business’ zero waste goals. Once you’ve conducted an initial waste audit and identified areas for improvement, it’s time to educate and involve your employees. Conduct regular training sessions on zero waste practices and offer incentives for staff members who demonstrate innovation in waste reduction strategies. This will motivate your team to actively participate in your journey towards zero waste, and help foster a sense of community and shared responsibility. 

3) Follow the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose & Recycle

The 5 Rs of waste management are essential for attaining your business’ zero waste goals. Every step in the process helps your organisation to eliminate waste and promotes more environmentally friendly waste management practices. The 5 Rs are:

• Refuse: Cut down on unnecessary materials that could be contributing to your business’ waste production i.e. packaging.
• Reduce: Minimise the amount of waste your business produces at the source, for example by ordering products that use less packaging or purchasing products in bulk.
• Reuse: Extend the lifecycle of any materials your business uses by switching to multi-use alternatives i.e. opt for reusable coffee cups instead of disposable versions.
• Repurpose: Give your existing materials a new lease of life and find new ways to use products i.e. repurposing plastic bottles into bird feeders.
• Recycling: Ensure that all recyclable materials are properly segregated and sent for recycling i.e. glass, paper/cardboard, multi-use plastics.

4) Explore Alternative Waste Disposal Methods

Although not all waste is recyclable, that doesn’t mean it has to end up in landfill. There are many alternative waste disposal methods out there that can help contribute to a more sustainable future. These include:

• Energy-from-waste (EfW): A specialised facility that helps to recover energy from non-recyclable waste and generates renewable power in the form of electricity, heat, and fuel.
• Composting: Food and garden waste can be composted through a process known as anaerobic digestion, which is when bacteria breaks down organic matter into biogas and biofertiliser. 

5) Partner with a Commercial Waste Management Company

Collaborating with a dedicated commercial waste management company that is passionate about sustainability, like we are at McCarthy Marland, is a surefire way to achieve your zero waste goals. We can help you develop an effective waste strategy that is specifically tailored to your business needs, and work with you to implement stringent waste reduction and recycling strategies. By partnering with McCarthy Marland, you are well on your way to achieving zero waste status.  

Contact us today to discover how we can help your business achieve its zero waste goals.

It’s sad but true that Christmas is the most wasteful time of the year. Businesses and households in the UK generate much more waste at Christmas than any other time of year – from single use packaging to food leftovers, and everything in between. 

But hope isn’t completely lost. By making a few small changes, we can all reduce the amount of waste we produce this Christmas time. In today’s blog, we outline some of the most shocking Christmas waste statistics in the UK, and share some top tips for reducing waste over the festive period.

Christmas waste statistics UK

Christmas Decoration & Tree Waste Facts

• A hefty 12,500 tonnes of Christmas decorations are discarded in landfill each year.
• In terms of Christmas fairy lights, we can expect to find the equivalent length of 70,000 miles thrown away this year.
• Approximately 40 million Christmas crackers will be chucked on Christmas Day.
• Tinsel is made of single-used plastic so cannot be recycled, meaning it will inevitably end up in landfill.
• UK citizens cut down 8 million trees for Christmas each year. Unfortunately, around 6 million of these will find their way into landfill.
• As they decompose, Christmas trees emit 100,000+ tonnes of methane gas, which is a key contributor to climate change.

Christmas Wrapping Paper Waste Facts

• We anticipate that around 108 million rolls of wrapping paper will be thrown away this Christmas. This equates to 75% of the overall wrapping paper sent to landfill each year.
• If you take out all the Christmas wrapping paper waste and lay it out flat, it would stretch to 238,855 miles – the same distance of the Earth to the moon.
• Most wrapping paper isn’t suitable for recycling. It often contains glitter, is laminated, or is extremely thin, which means it can only end up in landfill.
• 50,000 trees are cut down to make Christmas wrapping paper each year, greatly contributing to deforestation.
• UK households will use approximately 40 million rolls of sellotape to wrap their Christmas presents this year.

Christmas Packaging Waste Facts

• The majority of Christmas packaging waste ends up in the landfill. Frustrating, over 114,000 tonnes of recyclable packaging waste is wrongly placed in the general waste bin over the festive period. 
• If you weighed the amount of plastic waste discarded during Christmas each year, this would equal the weight of 76,000 giraffes.
• When it comes to food packaging, we can expect to see 125,000 tonnes of waste thrown away this Christmas.
• 4,500 tonnes of tin foil will be used to cover leftover Christmas food in Britain this year. However, most tin foil is single-use, meaning it will find its way into landfill.
• We consume around 1 million mince pies each festive season, which creates an entire tonne of aluminium waste.

Christmas Food Waste Facts

• Wondering how much food is wasted at Christmas? Approximately 42 million plates worth of food waste will be generated this year.
• The average UK household spends £169 on food shopping in the lead up to Christmas. However, 7 in 10 people admit to buying more food than they actually need.
• 10 million turkeys are bought for Christmas dinners each year, but the majority of these will not be fully eaten.
• 263,000 entire turkeys will be thrown away this year, either from being spoiled, contaminated, or damaged.
• In terms of trimmings, 17.2 million sprouts, 7.1 million pigs in blankets, 9.8 million cups of gravy, and 9 million carrots will find their way into the bin.
• When it comes to after-dinner treats, Brits are expected to waste 7.5 million mince pies, 2 million kg of cheese, and 740,000 portions of Christmas pudding this year.

Tips for minimising waste over the festive period

One of the best ways to reduce waste this Christmas is to be mindful of what you’re purchasing. Think about whether you actually need to buy every item on your list, and consider how your actions may impact the environment. Some of our specific tips for reducing waste over the festive season include:

Minimising Christmas Decoration & Tree Waste

• Switch to zero waste Christmas decorations instead of tinsel this year, such as reusable festive garlands and colourful bunting.
• If you have unwanted decorations that are still in working condition, take them to a charity shop instead of throwing them in the bin.
• Replant your Christmas tree in your garden so you can reuse it again next year.
• Alternatively, you can take your Christmas tree to your household waste recycling centre for shredding and composting.
• If you’re opting for an artificial tree this year, dispose of it in the small appliance or plastic reuse containers at your local recycling centre.

Lowering Wrapping Paper & Packaging Waste

• Try eco-friendly wrapping paper alternatives this Christmas, such as brown paper with string and sprigs of holly.
• Ask for and give items to others that use less packaging. Consider making some homemade gifts or purchasing from a sustainable packaging company.
• Check whether your wrapping paper is recyclable before throwing it away. If it holds its shape when you scrunch it into a ball, it is recyclable. If it springs back open, it cannot be recycled.
• Remove any plastic bows and ribbons before recycling your wrapping paper. These can be easily reused for future wrapping.
• If you use glitter for your Christmas packaging, do not tip it down the sink as it can pollute our landfills and oceans. Instead, purchase eco-friendly glitter that can be stored and reused again.

Reducing Christmas Food Waste

• Plan ahead when purchasing food for Christmas. Think carefully about what you will realistically eat over the festive period and don’t buy more than you need.
• Buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than larger, cheaper bags that you are unlikely to get through.
• Get inventive with your Christmas leftovers and think about how you could reuse your trimmings in sandwiches, soups, and stocks.
• If you find yourself with extra food that your family is unlikely to eat, freeze it for a later date.
• Invest in a compost bin for disposing of your peelings and leftover fruit and vegetables.

Wrapping up

Christmas is a time for giving, which includes making a positive contribution to our environment. By choosing more sustainable options and being mindful of your consumption, you can give the gift of a greener planet this festive period. 

McCarthy Marland can help UK businesses and households reduce waste this Christmas. Our expert team can handle all your festive waste management needs – from skip hire and wheelie bins, to flexible Christmas waste collections. Get in touch today to discover how we can help support you this festive season.

Modern businesses are facing various challenges, particularly surrounding their waste management processes. Dry mixed recycling is a simple yet cost-effective solution to disposing of commercial waste in an eco-friendly manner, helping to preserve our environment for generations to come.

Understanding how to effectively manage your business’ dry mixed recycling can be a daunting task. In today’s blog, we delve into everything you need to know about DMR, and explain why McCarthy Marland should be your first choice for dry mixed recycling and recovery bin hire.

The definition of dry mixed recycling

Dry mixed recycling (DMR) is a quick and efficient type of recycling that allows you to dispose of various recyclable materials in one bin. These materials do not need to be separated and can be processed from a single waste stream – metal, paper, cardboard and plastic products can all be sent off together for recycling. As the name suggests, waste materials must be dry before they can be processed for DMR. If materials are wet, they should be dried or disposed of in general waste to prevent contamination.

What can go in dry mixed recycling bins?

Most products that are clean, dry and made from recyclable materials can be placed inside a DMR bin. Acceptable types of mixed dry recycling waste include:

• Metal materials such as aluminium cans, food trays, and foil
• Paper products including newspapers, magazines, and receipts
• Cardboard boxes and food packaging
• Plastic waste such as bottles, cups, and containers

What can’t go in dry mixed recycling bins?

Some items are not accepted in DMR bins and should be disposed of elsewhere to minimise the risks of contamination. These products include:

• Food waste including leftover food scraps and excess ingredients
• Hazardous waste like batteries, asbestos, and paint tins
• Sanitary waste including nappies and sanitary products
• Liquids such as drinks, lubricants, and other fluids
• Glass bottles, jars, and pots
• Single-use packaging including crisp packets, coffee cups, and plastic bags
• Wood waste, textiles, ceramics, and polystyrene 

The dry mixed recycling process

Collection

Once you have gathered all your recyclable waste materials together and disposed of them in a dry mixed recycling bin, a waste collection company such as McCarthy Marland will come to your premises and take away the waste. Our recycling collection vehicle only needs to visit your site once, making it a much more environmentally-friendly method of waste disposal.

Sorting

All dry mixed recycling waste will then be transported to a specialist recycling facility for sorting and processing. Many modern commercial recycling centres, like ours at McCarthy Marland, use a combination of mechanical and manual sorting processes to separate different types of waste materials for recycling. 

Processing

After the materials have been sorted, they will undergo further processing such as shredding, melting, or pulping. Here at McCarthy Marland, we use state-of-the-art recycling technologies to refine and recover the maximum amount of recyclable waste possible, with our recycling centres achieving an average recycling rate of 95%. All residual waste material is then transformed into a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to recover energy lost during the process.

Transformation

The final step to the dry mixed recycling waste process is transforming raw materials into new products. For example, recycled paper and cardboard can be turned into new paper products, and recycled plastics can be reused for bottles and packaging. This mitigates the need for new material production and promotes a circular economy.

The benefits of dry mixed recycling

Cost Savings

Did you know that implementing a strong DMR programme can actually help your business save money in the long run? As of 1st March 2024, the standard landfill tax rate is a colossal £103.70 per tonne. By reducing the amount of general waste sent to landfill, your company can cut costs and improve its bottom line, whilst paving the way for more sustainable waste disposal processes.

Sustainability

Landfills produce the harmful greenhouse gas methane, which is a significant contributor to climate change. DMR bins ensure that recyclable materials do not end up in landfills and promotes the conservation of natural resources, helping to reduce the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal. Your business can rest assured in the fact that you are contributing to a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Reputation

Today’s consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with environmental issues, with many choosing to partner with forward-thinking businesses that demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability. Prioritising recycling processes can help your business enhance its reputation and attract eco-conscious customers and stakeholders, presenting valuable opportunities for growth.

Why hire McCarthy Marland’s dry mixed recycling & recovery bins?

If you’re searching for dry mixed recycling and recovery bin hire in the South-West, look no further than McCarthy Marland. Our DMR service is suitable for all recoverable and recyclable waste disposal, excluding food and drink waste – allowing your business to spend less time worrying about recycling, and more time serving your customers.

Get in touch today to enquire about our industry-leading recycling and recovery wheeled bin hire.

Sustainability is no longer just a “nice-to-have”; it’s a growing concern for businesses, governments and communities across the globe. UK businesses are now required by law to responsibly manage their commercial waste collection, which includes preventing, reusing, recycling and recovering waste materials wherever possible. But it’s not just about fulfilling legal obligations; proper commercial waste collection also enables your business to make a meaningful environmental impact.

We delve into the environmental benefits of proper waste collection and explore how McCarthy Marland can help you achieve your environmental business goals.

Minimising landfill waste

One of the most obvious benefits of proper business waste collection is reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Landfills pose various risks to the environment, most noticeably releasing the harmful greenhouse gas known as methane into our atmosphere. This contributes to the formation of the ozone layer and decreases air quality, as well as harming both animal and human health.

By partnering with a responsible commercial waste collection company that is committed to maximum landfill diversion, your business can help sustain our environment for future generations. McCarthy Marland diverts as much waste as possible from landfill, allowing our customers to rest assured in the knowledge that their business waste management requirements are being taken care of in an environmentally responsible manner.

Improving recycling efforts

Recycling is key to reducing our impact on the environment. The process offers various environmental benefits, including:

• Reducing energy consumption, as recycling materials uses much less energy than producing new virgin materials.
• Lowering carbon emissions, as recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere via new material production.
• Conserving natural resources such as wood, oil and minerals, which helps to protect our ecosystems and encourage biodiversity.

Waste recycling is at the heart of everything we do at McCarthy Marland. We achieve an average recycling and energy rate of 95% across our designated waste management facilities, with the other 5% being sent to landfill. 

Preventing pollution and contamination

Improper waste management, including sending waste to landfills or recklessly disposing of materials via fly tipping, can contaminate our land, air and waste sources. Hazardous waste such as asbestos, chemicals, oils or WEEE waste can seep into our soil and groundwater, causing significant environmental damage and posing risks to human and animal health if not disposed of correctly.  

McCarthy Marland offers specialised services to ensure your hazardous waste is handled and disposed of in a responsible and compliant manner. We’ll arrange to collect any commercial waste materials that may be ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic, transporting them to a fully licensed hazardous waste disposal facility which is closely monitored by the Environment Agency.

Reducing carbon footprint

The processes involved within commercial waste management can negatively impact your business’ overall carbon footprint. Every stage involved in collecting, transporting and processing your commercial waste all emits some form of greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Here at McCarthy Marland, we always endeavour to incorporate energy efficient processes within our business waste collection services. We have our own fleet of collection vehicles and carefully consider each route to minimise fuel consumption and emissions, as well as investing in industry-leading technologies that precisely monitor the energy efficiency of all our operations. By partnering with McCarthy Marland, you can contribute to the growing global effort to help combat climate change.

Remaining compliant with environmental regulations

The environmental regulations surrounding commercial waste management in the UK can be difficult to navigate. Businesses can face potential hefty fines and reputational damage for non-compliance, meaning it’s vitally important to adhere to all relevant business waste management legislations. You can read more about your responsibilities for waste disposal via the official government website.

McCarthy Marland is fully licensed and registered by the Environment Agency. We have an up-to-date Waste Carriers Licence, and all four of our depots have been awarded with a dedicated Waste Management permit. We provide businesses with all the documentation needed to prove their waste is being disposed of correctly, and can even handle all the paperwork to organise a commercial skip hire permit if required.

Supporting local communities

Did you know that following responsible commercial waste management practices can have a positive impact on your local community? By reducing the amount of waste your business sends to landfills and encouraging recycling efforts, you will set a positive example to customers, stakeholders and fellow businesses in the local area. 

Your business’ sustainable waste practices could lead to an improved understanding of the effects of global warming or encourage broader community participation in recycling. Perhaps you could even organise a local litter picking or beach clean event to help foster that sense of community spirit.

How McCarthy Marland can enhance your commercial waste collection efforts

It’s clear that proper commercial waste collection and disposal has numerous benefits to both your business and the world around us. By partnering with an experienced waste management company like McCarthy Marland, your business can remain compliant with waste regulations, reduce your carbon footprint, and make a positive impact on the environment. 

We offer a wide range of cost effective business waste management services, including commercial wheelie bin hire, commercial skip hire, commercial roll on roll off container hire, and commercial grab hire. Get in touch today to discover how McCarthy Marland can help enhance your commercial waste collection efforts.

Food waste is one of the biggest modern challenges facing the restaurant industry. As well as negatively impacting your finances, restaurant food waste causes significant harm to our planet. When organic food waste is sent to landfill, it produces a greenhouse gas known as methane, which can have a detrimental effect on both human and environmental health. 

Controlling your restaurant food waste can help your establishment save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and boost your reputation amongst today’s eco-conscious customers. We share some top tips on how to control food waste in your restaurant, as well as discussing why you should choose McCarthy Marland for all your restaurant waste management needs.

Top tips for reducing your restaurant food waste

Complete a food waste audit

Understanding how your restaurant produces food waste is the first step towards reducing it. A comprehensive food waste audit can help you identify how this waste is generated within your restaurant. For example, it may be that you are overordering ingredients, or you are serving overly-large portions sizes.

Completing frequent restaurant food waste audits can help you make better decisions with regards to ordering, storing and preparing ingredients. By successfully monitoring this data on a regular basis, you can then begin to create a stringent restaurant waste management programme that is specifically tailored to your individual requirements. 

Refine your inventory management

Effectively managing your restaurant’s inventory can help to mitigate overordering, reducing the amount of food that exceeds its expiry date. We highly recommend adopting a first-in first-out (FIFO) system to ensure that older ingredients are used before newer ones, minimising potential spoilage.

There are many digital inventory management systems out there that can help streamline your restaurant’s waste management programme. Software such as nory and Oracle allow you to track your inventory in real time and make smarter decisions when managing expiry dates and reordering stock.

Optimise your menu items

Your restaurant should always aim to design smart menus with food waste reduction at the forefront. Prioritise dishes that use overlapping ingredients and create seasonal menus that can be easily adjusted depending on the quantities of stock available. You could even offer varied portion sizes that allow customers to choose whichever size matches their appetite. These restaurant food waste solutions can help to reduce plate waste and maximise the freshness of ingredients used.

Educate and involve your staff

All team members should be involved in implementing effective restaurant food waste solutions, whether they be front-of-house staff or kitchen workers. This helps to foster a culture of unity and togetherness, with all staff members working together to achieve a shared goal.

For example, serving staff should be encouraged to advise customers on portion sizes and recommend seasonal dishes with ingredients approaching their expiration dates. Kitchen staff should be trained to utilise the entire product when cooking, such as repurposing food scraps for stocks or sauces. 

Donate excess ingredients

One of the best ways to prevent food waste whilst making a difference to your local community is by donating leftover food and ingredients. Charities and food banks will usually accept donations that are identified as safe to eat, even if items have surpassed their expiry date. You can read more about the criteria for businesses donating to food banks via the official government website.

Compost restaurant food waste

Whilst restaurant food waste should be mitigated wherever possible, it cannot be avoided entirely. Composting can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your establishment’s food waste, helping to divert waste from landfill by instead processing it for anaerobic digestion. This method converts food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, which can then be used in local allotments, gardens or farms; lowering those harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improving your restaurant’s “green” reputation.

Why partner with a restaurant food waste management company?

Seeking to enhance your restaurant’s sustainability status? McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of innovative food waste solutions to the hospitality industry, including restaurant food waste recycling and restaurant waste collection services. We offer flexible collection times that minimise disruption to your daily operations, ensuring that all organic waste is recycled into renewable energy via anaerobic digestion. With our dedicated waste management facilities achieving an average recycling rate of over 95%, you can count on McCarthy Marland to help improve your restaurant’s eco credentials.

Get in touch with us today to schedule your restaurant’s food waste consultation. 

For large-scale projects that require efficient waste management, roll-on roll-off skips are the way forward. They are ideal for clearing substantial volumes of waste from demolition or construction sites, offering a cost-effective and practical alternative to traditional skip hire. 

But what is a RoRo container, and why should you choose McCarthy Marland for all your waste management needs? We give you the low-down on all things RoRo skip hire below.

What is a RoRo skip?

A roll-on roll-off skip is a large-capacity container that is specifically designed to handle all waste streams, but in particular bulky waste. Unlike traditional skips which are lifted using a lorry or truck, RoRo skips are rolled on and off a specialised vehicle. This is achieved with a hook and rollers on the base of the container to roll it onto the bed of the vehicle. This is a much easier and safer option for loading and transporting waste, even when handling extremely heavy loads and bulky waste from construction or demolition sites.

Waste can be loaded using two different methods. Many RoRo containers come equipped with a rear door, enabling them to be loaded at ground level. This is advantageous when handling bulky waste. Alternatively, RoRo skips can be filled over the top using a loading shovel, digger or excavator. This allows waste to be directly dropped into the skip from above, making the removal process much quicker.

What are RoRo containers used for?

Thanks to their considerable volume, RoRo containers are usually reserved for clearing large-scale sites that handle huge amounts of bulky waste. Some of the most common uses for roll-on roll-off skip hire include:

Demolition Projects

Demolition projects produce huge quantities of construction waste, such as concrete, rubble, timber and metal. The sheer volume of broken down materials produced during the demolition process makes RoRo skip hire the perfect option for waste removal. Multiple RoRo containers may be present on demolition sites at any one time, with their large capacity requiring much fewer collections – allowing your project to avoid hefty costs and delays.

Land Preparation

Before beginning a new building or landscaping project, land often needs to be cleared of debris and soil. Low sided RoRo containers are able to remove any unwanted waste in a single load, enabling you to adequately prepare the land for construction. RoRo skips can also be used to transport large amounts of aggregates for backfilling foundations in new builds. These can be moved and stored in the RoRo container until they are required for filling material, bedding or concrete.  

RoRo skip sizes & types

Here at McCarthy Marland, we offer a wide variety of RoRo skip sizes for your construction or demolition project, site clearances and commercial waste streams. Depending on the category and type of waste generated, our professional team can help you select the right RoRo container for your needs. We offer the following:

• 15 yard RoRo skips: Ideal for low level loading of heavy materials from excavation and site clearance projects.
• 20 yard RoRo skips: Suitable for loading bulky materials from medium-sized construction jobs and commercial premises.
• 40 yard RoRo skips: Best suited for waste removal from large construction projects and commercial premises.
• Open RoRo containers: An open-top container design that can be easily loaded from all sides, either manually or using a loading shovel/grab.
• Enclosed RoRo containers: Fitted with roofs and lockable lids to secure hazardous waste such as asbestos and WEEE waste. We also offer enclosed compactor RoRo containers for general waste.

The benefits of RoRo container hire

Capacity

With sizes up to 40 yards available, our roll-on roll-off containers are specifically designed to handle large volumes of waste. This makes them suitable for projects that generate large amounts of waste in a short period of time, minimising the requirement to hire multiple smaller skip sizes.

Cost-effective

RoRo skips offer a cost-effective alternative to hiring multiple traditional skips. Their higher capacity allows them to handle more waste, mitigating the need for multiple collections. Fewer trips are required to remove this waste from your construction or demolition site, leading to lower transportation and collection costs.

Efficiency

Our RoRo containers streamline the waste removal process by allowing you to dispose of vast quantities of waste in a single load. The handy roll-on roll-off system allows even the largest containers to be loaded onto the bed of the truck and transported quickly, helping to keep your project running to schedule.

Sustainable

RoRos offer an eco-friendly waste solution, allowing you to reduce the carbon footprint associated with your project. McCarthy Marland is committed to reducing our environmental impact, ensuring that all RoRo skip waste is sorted and disposed of responsibility. We aim to recycle as many materials as possible, diverting the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. 

Why choose McCarthy Marland for your RoRo container hire?

Here at McCarthy Marland, we supply some of the biggest roll-on roll-off containers on the market that are ideally suited for a wide range of projects. Their high capacity, ease of transportation and efficiency makes them a smart choice for your bulky waste removal. By hiring your RoRo skip from McCarthy Marland, you’ll benefit from our unparalleled professional service, cost-effective solutions and environmentally friendly waste disposal practices.

View our range of RoRo skips or contact us to book your container hire today.

Grab hire is one of the most efficient methods of waste removal, offering construction and demolition sites the ability to remove large volumes of waste in a single trip. It is an extremely fast and flexible option, providing a stress-free waste removal service to commercial enterprises who are pressed for time. 

But what actually is grab lorry hire, and how does it fare against traditional skip hire? We answer all your questions on grab hire below.

How does grab hire work?

Grab hire is a specialised waste removal service that involves a vehicle with a hydraulic grab arm (AKA a grab lorry) visiting your premises to collect unwanted materials. Grab lorries are equipped with a hydraulic arm, a grab bucket and a large storage container. The waste is “grabbed” from the site using the hydraulic arm and grab bucket, before being placed in the storage container and transported to an external disposal or recycling facility.

If you’re wondering how far a grab lorry can reach, the hydraulic arm can extend up to 8 metres in length. A grab lorry can hold up to 12 tonnes of waste, thanks to its generously sized storage container. This makes it an ideal solution for construction and demolition sites who need to remove large quantities of heavy or bulky waste.

Why choose grab hire for your waste removal?

Convenience

Grab lorry hire is a convenient and versatile option for waste removal. The lorry’s hydraulic grab arm does all the heavy lifting, reducing the need for manual labour to load waste into a container. They are also more flexible with regards to accessing waste. The grab arm’s long reach can extend over walls, fences and hedges, collecting waste from hard-to-reach areas. This is useful in built-up areas which would be difficult to reach for manual loading.

Speed

As well as being convenient, grab hire offers a much quicker solution than skip hire. Waste can be collected and removed in as little as an hour, unlike skips which are dropped off for loading and collected at a later date. Waste can also be collected in a single visit and taken away immediately, making it a much speedier option for sites who require same-day waste removal.

Large capacity

Grab lorries can handle vast amounts of waste, often much larger than a regular skip. Our largest skip at McCarthy Marland can hold just over 9 cubic metres of waste, whereas our grab vehicles have the ability to remove up to 12 tonnes of waste in a single load. This makes them the ideal choice for large-scale construction projects that are likely to generate a significant amount of debris.

Cost effective

You may be wondering how much grab hire costs, and whether grab lorries are cheaper than skips. Although the cost of grab hire can vary depending on the type and volume of waste and the location of removal, they are usually more cost-effective for larger projects compared to skip hire. Grab lorries can remove large amounts of waste in a single trip, which works out much cheaper than hiring multiple skips. Plus, there’s no need for skip permits, which can carry additional costs and paperwork.

Sustainable

Did you know that grab hire is a more sustainable solution than traditional skip hire? Grab lorries require fewer trips to and from the construction site, helping to reduce fuel consumption and minimise your project’s carbon footprint. McCarthy Marland processes and recycles all waste at our designated transfer stations, which receive an average recycling rate of 95%+. Therefore, you can rest assured knowing that the waste we collect will not end up in landfill.

Reliable grab lorry hire from McCarthy Marland

If you’re searching for a reliable waste management provider in the South-West, look no further than McCarthy Marland. Our grab hire offers a practical solution for removing and delivering materials from areas with limited access, making them the perfect choice for built-up areas such as Bristol and Bath. Our experienced grab lorry drivers are trained to operate all our vehicles safely, and are highly skilled in negotiating confined spaces, uneven surfaces and challenging obstacles.

Fill out our contact form today to submit an enquiry about our professional grab lorry hire services.