Compare commercial waste and cleaning
Compare trade waste collections, recycling and commercial cleaning contracts from licensed UK providers — with duty of care paperwork handled properly.
Compare waste quotes
Simpler Recycling rules now apply to most workplaces
Businesses must separate dry recyclables and food waste from general waste. Providers should supply the right containers and signage as part of your contract.
Do I need a trade waste contract?
If your business produces waste, you have a legal duty of care over how it's handled.
You run any commercial premises
Household collections don't cover business waste. You need a licensed carrier and waste transfer notes on file.
You produce food waste
Separate food waste collection is now required for most workplaces, with dedicated bins and more frequent collections.
You handle hazardous materials
Chemicals, clinical waste, WEEE and oils need specialist collection with consignment notes and specific licensing.
You're paying for empty space
Oversized bins collected too often is the most common overspend. Right-sizing typically cuts 20–30% from the bill.
How commercial waste pricing works
- You pay a rental for each bin plus a lift charge every time it's emptied — so frequency drives the bill as much as volume.
- Recycling collections are usually cheaper per lift than general waste because the material has resale value.
- Landfill tax is built into general waste pricing and rises most years, widening the gap with recycling.
- You must keep waste transfer notes for two years and hazardous consignment notes for three.
- Contracts commonly run 12 to 36 months with automatic renewal, so track your notice date.
What does commercial waste cost?
Indicative UK pricing per bin, based on fortnightly collection.
| Service | Typical cost | Typical frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 240L general waste | £12 – £22 per lift | Weekly or fortnightly |
| 1100L general waste | £20 – £40 per lift | Weekly |
| Mixed recycling | £8 – £18 per lift | Fortnightly |
| Food waste (240L) | £10 – £20 per lift | Weekly |
| Commercial cleaning | £15 – £25 per hour | Daily or weekly |
How to compare waste and cleaning providers
Right-size the service first, then compare on total cost, not per-lift price.
Tell us what you produce
Premises type, bin sizes, waste streams and how full your bins actually are at collection.
Compare licensed providers
See rental, lift charges, contract length and duty of care documentation together.
Switch without a gap
We coordinate the final collection and new bin delivery so nothing overflows during the handover.
Expert advice
Almost every business we review is collecting half-empty bins. Reducing frequency or bin size saves more than switching provider, and it's an easier conversation to have.
“Photograph your bins at collection time for two weeks. If they're not full, you're paying for air.”
Types of waste and cleaning service
Most sites need two or three streams plus a cleaning contract.
General trade waste
Standard non-recyclable business waste collected in wheelie bins or larger front-end loaders.
Mixed dry recycling
Paper, card, plastics, cans and glass collected together or separated, usually at a lower cost per lift.
Food and organic waste
Separate collections now required for most workplaces, sent to anaerobic digestion or composting.
Hazardous and clinical waste
Chemicals, sharps, WEEE and oils handled by specialist licensed carriers with full consignment paperwork.
Bulky waste and skips
One-off clearances, skip hire and roll-on roll-off containers for refurbishments and site works.
Commercial cleaning
Daily office cleaning, washroom services, deep cleans and specialist industrial cleaning contracts.
3 ways to cut your waste bill
Before you even look at changing supplier.
Right-size your bins
A smaller bin collected at the same frequency almost always beats a large one that's never full.
Increase recycling separation
Moving material out of general waste avoids landfill tax and lowers your cost per tonne.
Review collection frequency
Dropping from weekly to fortnightly on a low-volume stream can cut that line in half.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad panel of UK waste and cleaning providers, so you can weigh price, service and contract terms side by side.
Exclusive offers
We negotiate exclusive rates, cashback and switching incentives you won't always find by going direct.
Simple and fast
One short form, one call from a specialist, and quotes tailored to your business — usually within 24 hours.
We compare these waste and cleaning providers
Licensed national carriers and trusted regional operators.
Biffa
Veolia
Suez
FCC Environment
Grundon
Enva
Reconomy
Business Waste
Cawleys
Mitie
OCS
ChurchillComparing with us is a no-brainer
“We were on weekly 1100L general waste that was never more than half full. Switching two streams to recycling and going fortnightly cut the bill by 38%.”
Priya, restaurant group in London
Latest from our experts
Simpler Recycling: what your business must do
The separation rules, containers and deadlines explained.
Duty of care and waste transfer notes
What you must keep, for how long, and the penalties if you don't.
How to cut commercial waste costs
Right-sizing, frequency and recycling rates that lower your bill.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use household bins for business waste?
No. Business waste must be collected by a licensed carrier, and you must keep waste transfer notes as evidence.
What is duty of care?
A legal obligation to store, transfer and document your waste correctly. Breaches can lead to unlimited fines.
How often should bins be collected?
Only as often as they genuinely fill. Most businesses over-collect and pay for partly empty bins.
Do I need separate food waste collection?
Most workplaces now do under Simpler Recycling rules. Your provider should supply the containers.
Can I switch mid-contract?
Usually only at the end of the term, and notice periods are often 90 days. We'll time it around your renewal date.
Is comparing free?
Yes, and there's no obligation to switch provider.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 25 July 2026