General waste
We offer commercial general waste collections across the UK. Our general waste services are suitable for all types of residual, non-recyclable waste that your business produces.
Following the Waste Reduction Hierarchy can help your business to reduce its waste-related environmental impacts. Preventing waste should be the top priority, followed by reducing waste, reusing it, recycling it, recovering it, and only using disposal at landfill sites as a last resort.
What can go in your general waste bins?
Most uncontaminated non-recyclables can go in your general waste bins.
Non-recyclable materials
Materials that aren’t recyclable and aren’t contaminated with hazardous substances should be placed in general waste.
Food-contaminated paper or card
If your paper or cardboard has been contaminated by food and isn’t cleanable, please put it in your residual waste bin.
Broken ceramics and drinkware
Ceramics and most glass drinkware are non-recyclable. Please place these in general waste, and wrap any broken pieces in newspaper to keep our waste handlers safe.
Tissues
Facial tissues and food napkins can be put into general waste. Please note that we also offer a paper towel recycling service for paper towels that have been used only for drying hands.
Contaminated packaging
Unwashed packaging that has been contaminated with grease or food should be placed in general waste - for example, pizza boxes.
Disposable PPE
PPE that isn’t contaminated can be placed in your general waste bins. E.g. Face masks, gloves used in food preparation, shoe covers, and hair nets.
Get in touch
Book a general waste collection today by getting in touch with our team of waste experts.
Frequently asked questions
If your query isn’t answered on this page, feel free to give us a call on 0800 035 3395 or visit our FAQs page for more frequently asked questions.
No. General waste bins should only be filled with materials that aren’t recyclable or reusable. Recyclable materials should be stored separately from general waste.
At Shred Station, we operate with a Zero to Landfill policy. We process all non-recyclable general waste at Energy from Waste facilities. There, it is incinerated under strict controls to generate energy for the National Grid.
The wheelie bins you will need will depend on how much general waste you produce and how often you want it collected.
We offer a wide range of general waste bins in varying sizes to suit your organisation’s requirements.
Your organisation’s general waste can be collected as frequently as you’d like. Most businesses have scheduled waste collections weekly or fortnightly and use a larger or smaller bin depending on the volume of general waste produced.
Yes, all organisations are required to manage waste safely, without harming the environment. This includes how your commercial waste is stored (i.e. in commercial bins), transported, and disposed of.
You cannot put commercial waste into domestic bins, and you must use a registered, licensed waste carrier - like Shred Station - to handle your business waste. We provide a Waste Transfer Note with every collection, which you should retain for 2 years to demonstrate your organisation’s Duty of Care.
Explore our other waste collection services
To comply with Simpler recycling regulations in England, the Waste (Scotland) Regulations, and the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales), businesses must have separate collections for recyclables and food waste. We can help with these services too! We offer a wide range of commercial waste services, all tailored to suit your business.
