5 clever recycling ideas to cut business waste before Christmas

The festive season is one of the busiest and most wasteful times of the year for UK businesses, with the additional waste from Christmas estimated to exceed 3 million tonnes in the UK this year. From packaging and decorations to seasonal food and excess stock, Christmas brings a significant rise in waste generation across every sector – so it’s vital that you stay on top of your waste ahead of the holidays.

Here are five clever recycling ideas for businesses to help you cut your commercial waste this Christmas. 

Commercial recycling tips for Christmas waste

1) Audit your waste before the festive rush

Before you even think about introducing any new recycling initiatives, you should conduct a business waste audit. Take stock of what types of waste your business generates (packaging, paper, food, general waste) and where the bulk of it comes from. Once you know what your biggest problem areas are, you can introduce more targeted recycling solutions to combat these. Here are some ideas below…

2) Get creative with packaging recycling

Christmas often results in an influx of packaging waste, including boxes, bubble wrap, and wrapping paper. Instead of letting it all pile up, think of some creative ways you could reuse or recycle these materials, such as: 

• Reuse cardboard boxes for storage, returns, or even as temporary bins in back-of-house areas.
• Shred old packaging to use as protective filler for outgoing parcels and reduce the need for new packing materials.
• Partner with local charities or schools that may be able to repurpose materials for crafts or educational projects.
• Encourage your suppliers to collect and reuse your pallets or delivery boxes.
• Set up a designated recycling station so your staff can separate cardboard, plastics, and paper while they unpack deliveries.
• Switch to recyclable or biodegradable wrapping options for products or gifts to help reduce landfill waste over Christmas.

3) Recycle your office supplies and decorations

As the year draws to a close, why not take this opportunity to declutter your office, warehouse, or retail space? Consider which items can be reused, repaired, or recycled before sending them straight to landfill. Here are some ideas to help spark your imagination:

• Donate or resell equipment and furniture that is still usable through local charities, second-hand markets, or online platforms.
• Refurbish or repair electronics instead of replacing them. Consider partnering with IT refurbishers who can safely wipe data and extend the lifespan of your computers and monitors.
• Recycle your batteries, cables, and small electronics at approved collection points or use specialist WEEE waste services.
• Repurpose last year’s Christmas decorations or get creative and make your own decor from leftover packaging or fabric offcuts.
• Encourage your staff to take part by running a “clear-out day” where everyone sorts and recycles old office items.

4) Introduce a food waste recycling scheme

Food waste often increases dramatically during December, so it’s vital that you set up a proper food recycling system. Start by identifying where your food waste comes from, and then put clear procedures in place to manage it. Make sure you provide well-labelled food waste bins in communal areas so your team can easily separate food scraps from general waste. 

If you work in food service or hospitality, consider planning your menus and portions carefully to prevent over-ordering. Any unavoidable waste can then be composed or sent for food waste collection through a professional waste management provider like McCarthy Marland. 

5) Make the most of wheeled bins before the Christmas rush

If your business operates in hospitality, offices, or events, you’ll probably generate a lot of mixed waste in the weeks leading up to Christmas – from packaging and food waste to bottles, cups, and disposable decorations. Consider hiring some more wheeled bins before the festive season begins to stay on top of your waste.

Having dedicated bins for recyclables, food waste, and general waste makes it much easier for your team to separate materials on-site and keep your business tidy during this busy period. Make sure you organise regular collections to avoid overflowing bins or last-minute clear-outs, which can dramatically increase your disposal costs.

Helping you stay on top of your commercial waste this Christmas

Feeling inspired by our Christmas recycling ideas for businesses? Now is the perfect time to put them into action and get your site ready for the festive season.

At McCarthy Marland, we offer a complete range of commercial waste management services to help businesses across the South-West stay compliant and sustainable all year round. From commercial skip hire to hospitality/office/event site bins, all our services are designed to help you cut business waste and maximise your recycling efforts, just in time for the festive rush. We can plan our collections around your operations, helping you stay productive during the busiest period of the year.

Contact us to discover how we can help you manage your business waste this Christmas.