Tips for large scale recycling

Easy large scale recycling solutions for UK businesses to cut waste.

Practical large scale recycling solutions for your workplace

Recycling on a larger scale can seem challenging, but with the right approach, your business can reduce waste, save money, and improve sustainability. Whether you run a warehouse, manufacturing site, or retail distribution hub, dealing with mass volumes of packaging, pallets, plastics, and other materials can quickly become overwhelming.

By setting up efficient systems, working with the right partners, and looking ahead to government initiatives such as Simpler Recycling, your business can reduce costs, meet environmental responsibilities, and make recycling part of everyday operations.

Start by identifying the main waste your site produces. Typical large-scale streams include:

  • Pallets and wooden crates
  • Cardboard and shrink wrap
  • Bulk plastics and films
  • Food waste
  • Electrical and hazardous items (batteries, WEEE)

Tip: Large volumes often require compactors, balers, or shredders to safely compress and store materials before collection. This not only saves space but also reduces transport costs.

  • Provide clearly marked collection points in high-traffic areas
  • Use colour coded bins and containers aligned with Simpler Recycling standards to avoid confusion
  • Train staff so that materials are stored correctly from the start, minimising contamination

Simpler Recycling is a government-led initiative designed to make recycling easier and more consistent across the UK. For businesses, this means clearer rules on what can be recycled, access to collections for core materials, and less confusion for staff and customers. By aligning your recycling systems with these standards now, you’ll make it easier for everyone in your workplace to recycle correctly and stay ahead of upcoming requirements.

Not all materials can go in general recycling. Large-scale businesses often need accredited collectors for:

  • Hazardous waste
  • Batteries and WEEE
  • Bulk plastics and films
  • Confidential paper shredding

Choose partners who can provide Zero Waste to Landfill solutions, ensuring materials are recycled, reused, or recovered responsibly. This demonstrates commitment to sustainability and strengthens your environmental reporting.

  • Use reporting tools from recycling partners to measure recycling rates
  • Share results with staff to encourage buy-in (“We diverted 95% of waste from landfill this quarter”)
  • Look for cost savings. Efficient recycling can lower disposal fees and free up valuable warehouse space
Recycling bins in a warehouse

Quick wins for large-scale sites

  • Invest in balers or compactors to reduce bulky waste
  • Switch to reusable pallets, crates, and packaging
  • Segregate food and organic waste from the start
  • Partner with collectors who offer data and reporting for compliance

By adopting these strategies, your business can stay ahead of new legislation, cut waste management costs, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Large-scale recycling doesn’t have to be complex. With the right systems in place, it can deliver benefits across your operations, staff, and supply chain.