Did you know that UK businesses produce around 30% more waste at Christmas than any other time of year? Without a clear plan in place, you could quickly find your bins overflowing with additional packaging, food waste, seasonal products, and back-of-house materials, which can lead to issues with compliance and dramatically increase your waste disposal costs.

Today, we’re sharing our Christmas waste solutions to help you stay in control of your excess festive materials and keep your operations running smoothly this season.

1) Plan ahead with a business waste audit

The run-up to Christmas brings a significant spike in waste volumes for retail and hospitality businesses. Extra stock deliveries, increased customer footfall, seasonal menus, and promotional activity all contribute to an increase in cardboard, plastic, food, and general waste. 

The most effective way to stay in control of your festive waste is to conduct a thorough waste audit. It provides you with a clear snapshot of what types of waste you’re disposing of, where it’s coming from, and how it’s being handled. This allows you to see where inefficiencies lie and ensure that you’ve got the right services in place before the Christmas rush begins.

Read our step-by-step guide to conducting a business waste audit for more information.

2) Repurpose and recycle wherever possible

Festive trading brings an unavoidable increase in packaging waste. Cardboard, plastic wrapping, protective inserts, and display materials can all pile up quickly if you don’t manage them effectively. Here are just some of the ways you can streamline your recycling efforts this Christmas:

• Repurpose your cardboard waste for internal storage, makeshift shelving, or protective padding for stock movement.
• Reuse any clean packaging for portioning, separating ingredients, or creating temporary holding areas during busy service periods.
• Donate any reusable seasonal decor, refurbish it for next year, or partner with charities and community groups who can repurpose your display materials.
• Switch to reusable or recyclable display solutions wherever possible to cut down on single-use promotional waste.

Check out our blog on how to deal with excess cardboard after Christmas for more tips on managing your festive packaging.

3) Cut down on your food waste

If you’re running a restaurant, cafe, hotel, or pub, then food waste will be one of your biggest challenges at Christmas. With all the larger bookings and extended menu offerings to deal with, it can be difficult to predict how many people you’ll need to serve, which could lead to over-ordering and spoiled ingredients. To combat this, you could:

• Introduce portion controls to reduce plate waste.
• Encourage pre-orders for festive menus to help forecast demand.
• Improve your stock rotation to minimise spoilage, especially for fresh ingredients.
• Track which menu items are popular to avoid over-preparing dishes that usually see lower demand.

If surplus food is unavoidable, you could donate any unused items to food banks or partner with local charities to prevent edible waste from going to landfill. 

4) Segregate your bins and organise additional festive collections

Clear bin segregation becomes crucial when waste volumes are at their highest. Make sure you have colour-coded or clearly labelled bins on-site for cardboard, plastics, glass, food, and general waste. We recommend holding regular training sessions to ensure that every member of your team knows how to separate waste correctly. 

You’ll also need to factor in extra collections. Having overflowing bins can cause issues with compliance and odours, as well as leaving a negative impression on your customers. Work with a waste provider that can temporarily increase their waste collections to match your seasonal demands, and consider additional containers like skips or balers if you expect to produce lots of cardboard waste.

Stay in control of your Christmas waste with McCarthy Marland

Need help with your hospitality or retail waste management during the busiest trading period of the year? McCarthy Marland provides a wide range of Christmas waste solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of your business. 

We offer wheelie bins, skips, and RoRo containers in a variety of sizes, as well as static and portable compaction systems for businesses that produce a lot of cardboard waste. We’ll organise all our collections around your schedule, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations, and we can also support with extra collections during the festive rush. Whether you’re dealing with excess cardboard, food waste, or general waste, our services will help take the strain off your staff and keep your site clean and operational.

Get in touch to discover how our Christmas waste solutions can help you stay in control of your festive waste.

FAQs

How can a waste audit help my business prepare for Christmas?

A waste audit identifies your main waste streams, highlights any inefficiencies, and pinpoints where segregation or recycling improvements can be made. That way, you can ensure you have the right bins, services, and collection schedule in place before the busy season begins.

What are the best ways to reduce food waste over the festive period?

To reduce food waste over the festive period, consider implementing tighter portion control, improving your stock rotation, and using a pre-order system for festive menus. Partner with food donation schemes to ensure that any unavoidable waste is handled sustainably.

Do I need extra bins or waste collections during Christmas?

Lots of businesses benefit from extra bins or increased collection schedules at Christmas to avoid overflows and maintain compliance. McCarthy Marland can assess your requirements and provide scalable services that are specifically tailored to your needs.

The UK waste regulations landscape is continuing to evolve, with 2026 marking a significant milestone for commercial businesses. In 2026, we can expect to see much tighter controls on packaging, stricter guidance on liquid food waste, and greater recycling requirements for organisations in Wales – so it’s vital that your business can adapt to these changes.

If you fail to comply with the UK waste regulations, you’re not just risking fines and potential enforcement action. You’re also potentially increasing your operating costs and damaging your business’ reputation. We’ve put together this UK business waste guide to explain the key regulatory changes that are coming into force in 2026, and outline some practical steps you can take to stay compliant and environmentally responsible this year.

Key UK waste regulations affecting businesses in 2026

Packaging reforms and extended producer responsibility (EPR)

Packaging regulations are set to get stricter in 2026, with new extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements aiming to reduce the overall volume of packaging produced and increase recyclability across supply chains. 

This means you will:

• Take greater financial and legal responsibility for what happens to your packaging waste 
• Face higher charges for packaging that’s excessive, hard to recycle, or made from mixed materials
• Be required to accurately report the type and volume of packaging your business places on the market

You’ll need to work closely with a dedicated waste contractor to ensure that your packaging waste streams are compliant with these new regulations. Investing in effective cardboard and plastic recycling services can significantly reduce your costs – McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of commercial recycling solutions to help you meet these obligations.

Stricter Environmental Agency guidance for liquid food waste

The Environmental Agency (EA) is tightening controls around liquid food waste in 2026 to help prevent pollution and sewer contamination. If you’re running a restaurant, pub, catering, or food manufacturing company that produces high volumes of liquid waste, you can expect closer monitoring from regulators (including more inspections) and greater scrutiny of waste paperwork.

To comply with the new liquid food waste regulations, you’ll need to:

• Properly segregate your liquid food waste from general waste
• Use compliant storage and containment systems for liquid food waste
• Avoid improper disposal of liquid food waste via drains or sewers

If you fail to follow these EA guidelines, you may risk enforcement action or even prosecution. We provide a variety of compliant liquid food waste management services to help you handle your food waste safely and legally. 

Wales’ workplace recycling laws and electrical waste

Businesses operating in Wales will need to comply with enhanced workplace recycling legislation. This includes much stricter separation of waste streams, as well as specific requirements for electrical items (WEEE).

If you fall under this criteria, you’ll need to:

• Separate your electrical equipment waste from general waste
• Clearly label your different recycling streams
• Carry out proper WEEE disposal via licensed providers

These laws signal a clear direction of travel for UK waste regulations. If you fail to adapt to these changes, you could experience operational disruption, compliance breaches, and rising costs. But if you act now, you’ll be better placed to meet future requirements with minimal impact on your operations.

How to achieve commercial waste compliance in 2026

Here are our top tips to help you comply with these new regulations and reduce your costs in 2026:

• Implement segregated waste systems for dry mixed recycling, food waste, glass, liquids, and general waste
• Partner with a licensed waste management provider like McCarthy Marland to ensure your waste is collected and disposed of in a compliant and cost-effective manner
• Schedule regular waste audits to identify any inefficiencies in your recycling processes and reduce contamination
• Train your staff on how to separate waste correctly
• Review all relevant contracts and documentation, including waste transfer notes and duty of care obligations

Stay waste-compliant in 2026 with McCarthy Marland

Navigating the UK waste regulations can be a minefield. But the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. We support businesses across a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, construction, and industrial work, offering a comprehensive range of compliant and cost-effective commercial waste solutions.

Whether you’re looking to hire a compactor to deal with your excess packaging waste, or you need a dedicated food waste bin for your liquid food waste, our expert team can help you prepare for these changes with confidence. Get in touch today to review your waste strategy and ensure your business is ready for the changes ahead.

FAQs

What are the main UK waste regulation changes in 2026?

The key UK waste regulation changes in 2026 include expanded packaging regulations, stricter Environmental Agency guidance for liquid food waste, and enhanced workplace recycling rules in Wales.

Do small businesses need to comply with the new 2026 UK waste regulations?

Yes – all commercial businesses, regardless of size, must meet the new 2026 UK waste regulations and duty of care requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or enforcement action.

How will the 2026 packaging regulations affect retail and hospitality businesses?

Retail and hospitality businesses may face higher costs for non-recyclable packaging in 2026. They must ensure that all packaging waste is correctly separated and recycled via licensed waste contractors.

Can a waste audit help to reduce business costs?

Yes, waste audits can help to reduce business costs. They identify any inefficiencies in current recycling processes and help businesses optimise their collections, which often leads to lower waste management costs.

According to GreenSpec, the UK uses 270 million square metres of plasterboard alongside 60 million bags of plaster each year. Unfortunately, much of this material inevitably becomes waste when used on construction and refurbishment sites. 

With so much plasterboard being used every year, it’s vitally important that you manage any leftover material responsibly. It needs careful handling to meet the UK’s disposal regulations, and mixing it with general waste is strictly prohibited due to the environmental risks involved.

In this guide, we’ll explain the plasterboard disposal rules in the UK, and share how our plasterboard skip hire service helps you manage your construction waste safely and compliantly.

Why plasterboard requires specialist disposal

Also known as drywall or gypsum board, plasterboard is widely used for lining walls and ceilings thanks to its strength, fire resistance, and affordability. However, despite being a safe and stable product when used in construction, plasterboard behaves differently once it’s been discarded.

Plasterboard is primarily made from gypsum: a soft mineral containing calcium sulphate. When gypsum-based materials are mixed with biodegradable waste (e.g. food, wood, or paper) and left to break down in landfill, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction releases a gas known as hydrogen sulphide, which is a colourless but toxic compound that smells strongly of rotten eggs.

But hydrogen sulphate isn’t just unpleasant; it’s also dangerous. It’s highly corrosive, explosive, and harmful to both humans and wildlife. UK regulations prohibit plasterboard from being disposed of with general waste – instead, it must be kept separate and sent to a licensed recycling or recovery facility. More on that below…

Understanding the UK’s plasterboard disposal rules

The Environment Agency states that gypsum-based waste must not be sent to landfill with biodegradable materials. This means you’ll need to:

• Segregate your plasterboard from other construction waste
• Store plasterboard waste in a clean, dry container of its own, for example a separate skip or bin
• Send your plasterboard waste to a licensed waste carrier who can ensure it’s taken to an appropriate recycling facility for disposal 

If you fail to follow these rules, you could be hit with a hefty fine or even imprisonment. Aside from the legal requirements, proper plasterboard disposal also plays an important role in sustainability. By keeping plasterboard separate, the gypsum within it can be recycled into new boards or other construction materials, which reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. 

Ensuring safe disposal of plasterboard

Whether you’re stripping out old walls during a renovation or cutting new boards for a fit-out project, the key to safe plasterboard disposal is separation. Here’s how to dispose of plasterboard correctly:

1. Use a dedicated skip for plasterboard and don’t mix it with rubble, timber, or general construction debris. Make sure you choose the right skip size for your needs – a mini skip or 4-yard skip is ideal for small renovation jobs, while larger construction sites may benefit from multiple skips or enclosed RoRo containers.
2. Keep your plasterboard waste clean and dry. Store it under cover to prevent it from becoming damp or contaminated, which can make it more difficult to recycle.
3. Label your plasterboard skips and containers so everyone on-site knows exactly where to place offcuts and broken boards. This helps to reduce errors and ensures proper segregation.
4. Work with a licensed waste partner like McCarthy Marland to ensure your plasterboard is collected, sorted, and recycled in line with the UK plasterboard disposal rules.

Dedicated plasterboard skip hire from McCarthy Marland

We provide expert skip hire for plasterboard to help you handle gypsum-based waste responsibly and keep your project running smoothly. We offer a wide range of skip sizes to suit every site – from small DIY refurbishments to major commercial developments. We’ll deliver the skip directly to your site, collect it promptly once it’s full, and transport the waste to a fully licensed plasterboard recycling facility for recovery.

Every skip we provide is managed in line with the plasterboard disposal rules, ensuring your site remains audit-ready and environmentally responsible at all times. We can tailor our deliveries and collections to suit your schedule, so you can focus on completing the job rather than worrying about waste logistics. 

Need help managing your plasterboard waste in the UK? Book your plasterboard skip hire or get in touch for more information.

FAQs

Can I put plasterboard in a skip?

Yes, but only if it’s separated from general waste. Plasterboard must be kept clean and dry, and needs to be stored in a dedicated skip or container to comply with the Environment Agency regulations.

Why can’t plasterboard go to landfill?

Plasterboard contains gypsum, which reacts with biodegradable waste in landfill to produce the harmful toxic gas known as hydrogen sulphide. Plasterboard must be recycled or recovered to protect the environment.

Is plasterboard recyclable?

Yes. Clean, uncontaminated plasterboard can be recycled to recover gypsum, which can then be reused to produce new construction materials. This process reduces the need for virgin resources and supports a circular economy.

Can I mix plasterboard with other construction waste?

No. Mixing plasterboard with other waste types can cause contamination and make it impossible to recycle. Always use a separate skip or container for plasterboard waste to stay compliant with the plasterboard disposal rules.

As the colder months set in, construction sites face a new set of challenges. From heavy rain and ice to shorter daylight hours, winter weather conditions can seriously disrupt your schedule and your waste management strategy. 

If you’re wondering what’s the safest and most efficient way to manage your construction waste in winter, check out our top tips below.

Our construction site waste tips for winter

1) Plan ahead for weather disruptions

Winter brings with it some difficult weather conditions, and poor planning can lead to delays in both your waste removal schedule and project progress. Make sure you check the weather forecast regularly and schedule your skip hire and waste collections in advance – especially before periods of heavy rain, snow, or frost.

Our skip hire services are extremely flexible, and you can easily adjust your collections to suit your schedule when the weather turns. If your site can’t accommodate a skip for long periods of time, consider hiring one of our wait and load skips. You can book and load the skip on your lunch break, making it a fast and convenient option if you need to remove waste quickly before that dreaded winter storm rolls in.

2) Keep your access routes clear

Snow, mud, and ice can make it difficult for vehicles to reach your site and safely collect your full skips. We recommend regularly gritting any access routes and clearing any build-ups of snow to ensure that vehicles can manoeuvre without risk of skidding or getting stuck.

If you expect that conditions on your site will be poor for a while, make sure you place your skips in elevated or well-drained areas to avoid them becoming stuck or surrounded by water. This prevents damage to the ground surface and also makes it easier for drivers to collect your waste. 

3) Protect your waste from water and frost damage 

Excess moisture can add unnecessary weight to your waste materials, which can make disposal more complicated and expensive. It can also cause contamination and may prevent materials such as plasterboard, timber, and insulation from being recycled correctly.

To avoid this, use skip covers or tarpaulins to shield your waste from rain and snow, and always separate waste types into different containers or skips to help prevent cross-contamination. Make sure you store materials like hardcore, soil, or rubble under shelter to preserve their condition and make them easy to load and remove on-site.

4) Keep your team safe in poor weather conditions

Wet or icy conditions can make skips and waste piles hazardous, increasing the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls. Keep skips well-lit and ensure that lids, covers, or side panels are secure to prevent debris from blowing around in the wind. Remind your team to wear high-visibility clothing and to take care when lifting or handling waste materials that may be slippery or frozen.

You can also keep your team safe by ensuring that your waste storage areas are organised and clearly marked. Avoid stacking materials too high or too close to access routes where they could freeze over or collapse. Always display clear safety signage near collection zones to help prevent accidents throughout winter. 

5) Consider temporary storage solutions

If there’s lots of snow on the forecast or you expect to have access issues over the coming weeks, consider investing in temporary storage containers to keep your site clean and compliant. Wheeled bins and compactors are two examples of flexible, short-term storage solutions that allow you to safely contain waste until collection is possible. These options can help you manage large volumes of waste efficiently, especially when space is tight or access is restricted.

We can help advise on the most suitable temporary storage options for your site’s conditions and plan a flexible collection schedule to suit your needs, ensuring your site continues running smoothly even through adverse weather conditions.

Need help managing your construction waste in winter?

Winter weather doesn’t have to slow your project down. Preparing your site in advance and partnering with a trusted waste management provider, like us at McCarthy Marland, will help you safely and efficiently manage your construction waste in winter.

We offer a wide range of commercial waste management solutions during the colder months, including winter skip hire, RoRo skip hire, wheeled bin hire, and compaction systems to ensure your site stays clean, compliant, and operational – whatever the weather.

Get in touch to discuss your winter waste management needs.

FAQs

Can I hire a skip in winter?

Absolutely. McCarthy Marland provides skip hire all year round, including during the winter months. Our drivers are highly experienced in navigating wet and icy conditions, ensuring your waste is collected efficiently whatever the weather.

What’s the best skip for winter use?

If you have lots of space and your site is easily accessible, a standard builder’s skip (6-8 yards) is ideal for housing heavy waste like concrete and bricks. However, if space or access is limited, a wait and load skip could be the perfect solution.

How can I stop waste from freezing or getting wet?

Use skip covers or tarpaulins to protect your waste from rain and snow, and try to store your skips in well-drained areas. Keeping materials under shelter can also prevent frost damage and contamination.

Can snow or ice affect skip collections?

Yes, access issues are one of the most common challenges during winter. Clearing and gritting access routes will help ensure our collection vehicles can reach your site safely. We’ll always keep you updated if conditions make it unsafe to collect your waste, and will reschedule the collection as soon as possible.

Few materials are as essential for construction and demolition as hardcore. Strong, compact, and extremely durable, hardcore forms the foundation of many building projects, from driveways and pavements through to full-scale construction sites. But what are hardcore materials, what are they used for, and how can you dispose of them responsibly?

Below, we break down what qualifies as hardcore waste, share some common hardcore waste examples, and explore how our hardcore skip hire and hardcore disposal services can help you manage these materials efficiently and sustainably.

What are hardcore materials?

‘Hardcore’ refers to solid, heavy materials that form a stable base for construction projects. These materials are typically non-combustible, dense, and free from organic matter, meaning they won’t rot or shift over time. Common hardcore waste examples include:

• Whole or broken bricks from demolished walls or structures
• Solid pieces of concrete from slabs, posts, and foundations
• Rubble i.e. mixed fragments of stone, tile, and masonry
• Crushed rock and gravel used to improve compaction and drainage
• Tarmac or road base used in sub-base layers

These materials are typically produced during construction, renovation, and demolition projects where buildings, driveways, or pavements are being replaced or restructured. Rather than being sent straight to landfill, this waste can be repurposed as a valuable resource in future groundwork projects – more on that below. 

What are hardcore materials used for?

Hardcore is used to create a stable and level foundation for upper construction layers. It spreads weight evenly and prevents the surface above from cracking or shifting due to moisture, frost, or uneven settlement. Some of the most common uses for hardcore include:

• Providing a compact base for asphalt or paving in road and driveway foundations
• Supporting floor slabs and groundworks in building foundations
• Ensuring pavement and patio surfaces stay level over long periods of time
• Creating temporary access roads to manage heavy traffic and protect softer ground

Without the use of hardcore, many structures would lack the strength and stability needed to withstand long-term wear and tear. That’s why using high-quality, well-compacted materials is so important for every stage of construction – from preparation and excavation to the final groundwork stages.

The importance of proper hardcore disposal

Because hardcore is so dense and heavy, it must be handled and disposed of carefully. Incorrect disposal, for example mixing hardcore with general waste or soil, can make it impossible to recycle, which increases the environmental impact of your project.

This is where hardcore skip hire comes in. Hiring a dedicated hardcore skip allows you to separate your waste on-site, helping to keep materials clean and ready for recycling. Once collected, your waste is then transported to an authorised recycling facility (like McCarthy Marland’s), where it’s sorted, screened, and crushed for reuse as recycled aggregates or sub-base material.

Disposing of your hardcore waste responsibly not only ensures your project stays compliant with waste regulations, but also reduces the demand for virgin materials from quarries, making it a much more sustainable option overall.

Why choose recycled hardcore materials?

Recycled hardcore is as strong and reliable as quarried stone, but it’s available at a fraction of the cost. We produce high-grade recycled shingle and pipe bedding in a variety of sizes at our Gloucestershire recycling facility. All construction waste materials that are delivered to our site are carefully sorted, screened, and crushed into clean hardcore that can be reused in a range of groundwork and sub-base projects.

Our recycled hardcore is ideal for:

• Driveway bases and paths
• Sub-base layers for roads and car parks
• Ground stabilisation and drainage projects

Our shingle can also be mixed with light or sharp sand to create a strong and textured concrete base for further building and landscaping works.

Responsible hardcore waste management with McCarthy Marland

We offer a complete service for all your hardcore skip hire, hardcore disposal, and recycled aggregate needs. 

Our skips are available in a wide range of sizes – from mini skips for smaller clear-outs to larger roll-on roll-off containers for commercial and industrial sites. Once full, our team collects all your hardcore waste and transports it to our licensed recycled facility for processing. The materials are then transformed into reusable aggregates, helping to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill. 

We provide both collection and delivery options for our recycled hardcore across the South-West of England. Whether you need 20 tonnes of sub-base material or smaller bulk bags, we guarantee to provide the exact amount needed for your project.  

Contact us to arrange your hardcore skip hire or to learn more about our recycled hardcore products.

FAQs

What is classed as hardcore waste?

Hardcore waste includes dense, non-biodegradable materials such as brick, concrete, tiles, rubble, and crushed stone. These materials are often left over from construction, renovation, or demolition projects and can be recycled into new aggregates.

Can hardcore go in a mixed skip?

No, hardcore should always be separated from general waste. Mixing it with materials like wood, metal, or plastic can make it difficult to recycle. Instead, you should hire a dedicated hardcore skip to ensure your waste is processed for recycling correctly.

Is hardcore recyclable?

Yes. Most hardcore can be recycled by crushing and screening it into reusable aggregates. We process hardcore waste at our recycling facility to create high-quality sub-base materials, helping to reduce the reliance on landfill and support more sustainable construction practices.

How much hardcore can I dispose of in a skip?

It all depends on the size of the skip you hire. Hardcore is very heavy, so smaller skips such as 4-yard or 6-yard skips are usually recommended for this type of waste. We can advise on the most suitable skip size based on your project’s needs.

Autumn brings with it a noticeable shift in how we generate and manage waste. Whether you’re a homeowner clearing out the garden or a business preparing for the busy lead-up to winter, planning ahead can help you manage your waste more efficiently and keep your costs under control.

Here are our top autumn waste tips to help you stay organised, compliant, and environmentally responsible this season…

Why you should be proactive with seasonal waste disposal

Autumn is a transitional season, bringing with it some unique waste challenges. At this time of year, we see a huge increase in:

• Garden and green waste such as leaves, branches, and hedge cuttings. Without proper disposal, this waste can quickly clog up your garden bins or outdoor areas.
• Packaging waste including cardboard, plastics, and pallets as businesses begin stocking up for Christmas.
• Seasonal clear-outs in households and offices as they replace summer stock or equipment with autumn and winter alternatives.

If you prepare for these changes in advance, you’ll be able to handle this influx in waste much more efficiently, which will help you:

• Save money, thanks to reduced collection costs and avoiding charges for overfilled bins
• Ensure compliance with UK waste regulations and avoid penalties
• Prevent safety hazards caused by overflowing or misplaced waste 
• Reduce your reliance on landfill and support the circular economy 

By adopting smart waste management strategies now, you’ll lay the groundwork for a smoother transition into winter, leading to fewer disruptions later down the line.

Our top autumn waste tips for households

Follow these steps to keep your home waste-free this season:

1) Manage your garden waste responsibly

During autumn, fallen leaves can quickly pile up in your garden and create slippery paths or waterlogged lawns. Collecting them regularly helps to keep your outdoor areas safe and tidy. Composting is a great way to turn this natural waste into nutrient-rich soil that you can then use for spring planting. 

2) Plan for seasonal clear-outs

The change in seasons is the ideal opportunity to declutter your wardrobes, garages, and lofts. For any items that might still be useful to others, try donating them to a charity or selling them on. This is a much more sustainable option than sending your items to landfill. 

3) Stay on top of recycling

Packaging waste can quickly build up as you receive deliveries for your autumn projects. Make sure you separate your cardboard and plastics into different recycling streams to help reduce the amount of general waste produced at home. Always check your local council’s guidelines to make sure you’re recycling correctly.

Our top autumn waste tips for businesses

Businesses face very different waste challenges than households in autumn. Here’s how to stay on top of your commercial waste:

1) Create a business autumn waste checklist

Autumn is a great time to review your current waste streams and forecast what is likely to increase. Carrying out a waste audit will help you identify any areas that might need extra attention. For example, you might want to update your waste storage solutions (i.e. bins and containers) to ensure you have enough capacity to deal with extra waste volume. 

2) Manage your packaging and stock waste

Seasonal trading often means more deliveries, bringing with it an influx of packaging. Ensure you break down all cardboard boxes and stack them neatly to save space and make recycling much easier. You should also review your storage areas to ensure waste isn’t blocking important access routes or fire exits. 

3) Manage your commercial green waste

If your business produces green waste, whether that’s leaves, grass cuttings, or outdoor debris, make sure you keep it separate from your general waste so it can be recycled or composted efficiently. Set up a dedicated container for organic materials and schedule regular collections to prevent build-up. This not only keeps your premises tidy but also helps reduce disposal costs and supports your company’s sustainability goals.

4) Engage your team

Your staff play an important role in keeping your waste under control. Sharing an autumn waste management plan with your team ensures that everyone understands their responsibilities at this time of year. You should provide clear signage for recycling bins to reduce contamination, and also encourage the reuse of packaging and other materials.

Need help managing your waste this autumn?

At McCarthy Marland, we offer a wide range of waste management services to both domestic and commercial customers across the south of England, including skip hire, RoRo skip hire, wheelie bins, compaction systems, garden and park waste recycling, and grab/tipper hire. Once your container is full, we then tailor our collections around your schedule and bring your waste back to one of our recycling centres for sorting and processing, ensuring as much waste is diverted from landfill as possible.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your seasonal waste disposal needs.

Are you looking to cut down on costs and improve your business’ recycling rates? Whether you’re a small business or a large-scale operation, conducting a waste audit will allow you to understand exactly what you’re throwing away, and where improvements can be made.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to conduct a waste audit for your business, so you can take the first step to streamlining your waste management processes.

What is a waste audit?

A waste audit is a review of all the waste that your business generates. It looks at what types of waste are being disposed of, where it’s coming from, and how it’s being handled. The ultimate goal is to ensure that you’re disposing of residual waste in the most efficient and environmentally responsible way possible, identifying valuable opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Why conduct a waste audit?

There are several key benefits to conducting a waste audit. These include:

• Cost savings – Disposing of waste ultimately costs your business money. You’ll need to pay for waste management and collection services, as well as training your staff on how to segregate waste correctly. A waste audit will highlight areas where you can cut down on waste and reduce your business expenses.
• Improved recycling rates – A waste audit identifies which of your waste materials are recyclable and where opportunities are being missed, which can help you divert more waste away from landfill.
• Compliance and reporting – Businesses are now facing strict regulations when it comes to waste management. Having a clear understanding of the waste your business produces can help you meet legal requirements and work toward your sustainability goals.
• Better waste management – Once you understand the quantities and types of waste your business generates, you can then choose the right commercial waste partner who will help you handle it responsibly.

How to conduct a waste audit

1) Set your objectives

Before you dive into conducting a waste audit, it’s important to determine why you are doing this. Are you trying to cut costs, comply with waste regulations, or improve your recycling efforts – or all of the above? Setting clear objectives will help to shape the waste audit process and ensure that you remain focused on your goals. 

2) Assemble a team

Round up a team of staff members from different departments, including operations, facilities, cleaning, and even finance. That way, you’ll get a well-rounded and accurate picture of your business’ waste habits and receive support from your team for any improvements or adjustments that need to be made following the audit. 

3) Identify your waste collection points

Walk through your premises and take note of all the locations where waste is collected. This could include kitchens, offices, production areas, and loading bays. This will ensure that all types of waste are accounted for in your audit.

4) Sort and categorise your waste

Collect samples of all the waste that your business generates over a set time period (usually one week). You’ll need to separate your waste into categories such as general waste, food waste, cardboard, plastics, glass, and hazardous materials. It’s also useful to record the volume or weight of each type, so you can see which materials dominate your waste stream.

Important: Ensure that your team has the right PPE and hygiene procedures in place when handling waste.

5) Analyse the data

Once you’ve gained a clear snapshot of what you’re throwing away, it’s time to analyse the results. Your findings will help you identify where improvements can be made, and which waste services your business actually needs. 

Try asking yourself the following questions:

• Could you recycle more of your waste materials?
• Are you discarding items that could be reused?
• Are you using your bins correctly?
• Are there areas of your business that are producing significantly more waste than others?

6) Develop a waste management plan

The final step is developing a strategy for reducing your business’ waste. This could include:

• Improving signage around your premises and offering training around recycling
• Rethinking which types of bins you have and placing them strategically around your site
• Working with a reliable commercial waste provider (like McCarthy Marland) who can tailor your collections around your business needs

Streamline your waste management with McCarthy Marland

Once you’ve gained a clear understanding of what types and quantities of waste your business produces, it’s crucial to partner with an expert waste provider who can handle it responsibly. At McCarthy Marland, we’re dedicated to helping businesses across the South of England to cut down on waste and improve their recycling efforts.  

We offer a wide range of commercial waste management services to businesses of all shapes and sizes, including wheelie bin hire, skip hire, RoRo skip hire, compaction systems, and grab hire. We can also arrange collections at a time that suits you, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily operations. 

Get in touch to discover how we can help streamline your business’ waste management processes.

In 2025, the waste management industry is undergoing significant change, with lots of new regulations and national strategies being introduced to help boost recycling rates. Earlier this year, the simpler recycling rules were introduced across England to make it easier for businesses to sort and separate their waste – and households will be following suit in 2026. 

Commercial wheelie bin hire can help your business reduce waste, improve your recycling practices, and stay compliant with the latest regulations. Here’s how…

Separate materials at the point of disposal

One of the biggest barriers to effective recycling is a lack of infrastructure. If your workplace doesn’t have clearly labelled bins or they’re too small to hold all your waste, then recyclable materials will often end up in the general waste bin. This means more waste sent to landfills, and more missed opportunities to recover valuable materials that could otherwise be recycled and reused.

Our commercial wheelie bins are essentially high-capacity recycle bins with wheels. We offer a wide range of wheelie bin sizes, from 240-litre bins (ideal for smaller spaces) all the way up to 1100-litre containers (suitable for larger operations). Having the right number and size of bins on-site will allow your team to separate materials at the point of disposal, which can have a huge impact on your business’ recycling rates.

Less contamination, more recycling

Contamination is a key concern in the new simpler recycling regulations. If recyclable materials are mixed with general waste, food residue, or liquids, they often can’t be processed correctly, and may end up being rejected entirely. This not only sends more waste to landfill but can also increase your disposal costs.

Our recycling bins with wheels are clearly labelled for specific waste streams, including general recyclable materials, food waste, and glass waste, which helps to reduce confusion among your team and avoid any cross-contamination. This results in cleaner recycling streams and fewer rejected loads. We can also offer advice on best practices for on-site bin placement and staff training to help your business meet its recycling targets.

Keep your site clean and tidy

Overflowing bin bags and general waste build-up doesn’t just look unprofessional – it can also be a genuine health and safety risk. A cluttered waste area can attract pests, cause unpleasant odours, and even become a fire hazard if it isn’t managed properly.

Our wheelie bins are specifically designed to cope with a wide range of commercial recycling needs. They’re robust, weather-resistant, and easy to move around your site, so that you can easily position them where they’re needed most to make recycling convenient and consistent for your team. We also supply lockable lids on our 660-litre and 1100-litre bins, which can help to deter pests and keep your waste firmly where it belongs.

Save time, money, and resources

Having a well-organised recycling system helps to streamline your business’ operations. When your team knows exactly where to dispose of each type of waste and the right bin is closer to hand, the whole process becomes quicker and more efficient. Less mistakes are made and you won’t need to re-sort waste after it’s been disposed of.

By reducing the volume of your general waste, you’re also helping your business save money. The current standard landfill tax rate is £126.15 per tonne, which can make a huge dent in your finances. When you hire one of our wheelie bins, we’ll tailor our collection services to fit around your needs, so that you’re not paying extra for pickups you don’t need and always get the most from your recycling setup. 

Improve your recycling efforts with McCarthy Marland 

At McCarthy Marland, we’re proud to have helped hundreds of businesses across the South of England to manage their waste more responsibly. Whether you’re managing a busy construction site or running a small independent cafe, we can help advise you on which bins are right for your business, and arrange collections to suit your schedule.

We’re proud to achieve average recycling rates of 95% across all four of our recycling centres, with all remaining waste being recovered as Energy from Waste. When you hire your wheelie bins from us, you can rest assured that your waste will not end up in landfill.

Get in touch to discover how we can help boost your business’ recycling rates. 

After many years of working closely on the Showgrounds waste management needs, McCarthy Marland (Recycling) ltd have pleasure to announce that we have a signed a 3-Year waste contract as the preferred supplier to the showground and their on-going events/festival calendar.

Quote from Showground Management

“We’ve been working with McCarthy Marland for our weekly waste management for a number of years, and their service has always been consistently reliable and professional. They’re punctual, efficient, and easy to communicate with, making the entire process smooth and hassle free.

They also provide a full on-site waste management service for our Royal Bath & West Show, and they truly went above and beyond. Their on-site team handled everything from bin placement to regular collections. Despite the high footfall, the showground remained clean and well-maintained throughout the event.

It’s clear they make recycling and responsible waste handling a priority, which aligns with our own values.

Whether it’s weekly collections or large event management, McCarthy Marland consistently delivers top-tier service. Highly recommended!”

Did you know that landfills were responsible for around 24% of total UK methane emissions in 2022? 

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which can be released into our atmosphere through both natural and human-driven processes. It is over 25 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, significantly contributing to global warming and climate change. Therefore, to fulfil the government’s goal of becoming net zero by 2050, we must address the rising issue of methane emissions from landfills.

In today’s blog, we explore the real impact of landfill methane emissions, and share how responsible waste management can help you contribute to a more sustainable future. 

Methane emissions from landfills: problems and solutions

Why are methane emissions from landfills a problem?

When biodegradable waste such as food scraps, garden cuttings, and paper ends up in landfill, it decomposes without oxygen. This process, known as anaerobic decomposition, generates methane gas, which escapes into the atmosphere unless captured. This is a major issue in the UK where we still send millions of tonnes of municipal solid waste to landfill each year.

As well as harming our environment, the build up of methane can pose serious health risks, leading to unpleasant odours and reduced air quality for nearby communities. It can also increase the risk of fire or explosions in landfill sites due to the gas’ flammability.

Businesses that continue to send biodegradable waste to landfill are missing out on vital opportunities to extract economic and environmental value from waste materials that could instead be recycled, composted, or converted into renewable energy.

How to reduce methane emissions from landfills

1) Segregate your waste at the source  

Ensure that all your waste streams are clearly labelled depending on the waste type i.e. general waste, recyclables, food waste, glass waste, and provide regular training for your staff to help them understand what goes where. By encouraging consistent waste separation at the source, you are helping to make recycling easier and reduce the amount of biodegradable material sent to landfill.

2) Effectively manage your organic waste

If you have a garden or food waste bin, make sure you use it regularly. This will ensure that any organic materials like peelings, leftovers, grass cuttings, and soil are properly composted rather than being sent to landfill. If these services aren’t readily available in your area, consider working with a licensed commercial water provider to introduce them in your premises.

3) Reduce your food waste

According to official government statistics, over ten million tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK – the majority of which ends up in landfill. It’s vital that you start seriously thinking about how much food your home or business throws away. Planning meals in advance, using up leftovers, and donating excess ingredients can help reduce the amount of organic waste you produce and cut down on methane gas emissions.

4) Introduce circular waste systems

Try to find ways to reuse or recycle your organic materials instead of throwing them away. For example, you could collect used coffee grounds and repurpose them as compost, or turn food scraps into biogas through anaerobic digestion. By supporting the creation of new products from recycled materials, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. 

5) Support local community initiatives

Get involved with local initiatives that are aimed at reducing landfill waste. Examples of these could include supporting community compost schemes or setting up educational workshops to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal and global methane emission reduction. These small actions can lead to big changes when it comes to minimising landfill gas emissions.

Reduce the environmental impact of your waste with McCarthy Marland

At McCarthy Marland, we help businesses across the South of England to reduce their reliance on landfill and manage their waste more sustainably.

We offer a wide range of commercial waste collection services, such as wheeled bin hire, skip hire, RoRo skip hire, compaction systems, and grabber/tipped hire, that are designed to boost recycling rates and divert waste away from landfill – a win for both the planet and your reputation. 

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact at every stage of the waste collection and disposal process, and are extremely proud to achieve an average recycling rate of 95% across our four waste transfer stations. Our state-of-the-art waste segregation technology allows us to recover as much recyclable material as possible for reprocessing and reuse, with all remaining residual waste being sent for energy recovery. 

Ready to make your business’ waste more sustainable? Contact us to discuss your waste management needs.