Recycling Office Waste

[i_want_to_be_green]

Hi folks

I run a small office based business involving 6 staff, & we get through a hell of a lot of paper, cardboard, ink cartridges, plastic cups etc etc, just general office waste really.

I currently have a weekly collection with a big named waste collection company but my question is... is £700 per year too much? I know its all relative but i would really like to know what others are paying & who from & what their opinions are on this. Im based in East Bedfordshire & would rather look for a local business who are have some great green initiatives for the future!

Thanks

Sandy x

 

[ethical PR]

Sorry not sure from your post, whether are saying that's the cost a waste collection for rubbish or for recycling or for both.

The cost of your collection service will depend on how much waste you are producing and whether you recycle or not.

When we were looking for a supplier. We wanted to find one which would enable us to recycle as much as possible so we have a supplier that collects paper, cardboard etc, another for recycling cartridges/toners and another for rubbish collection.

If you want to maximise your recycling speak to the recycling team at your local authority and ask them to tell you about firms who offer commercial recycling in your area and then choose the one that suits you best. You can recycle toners/catridges through charities such as Tomy's/buy refillable toners/cartridges. You can also buy recycled paper through your stationery company and specified recycled paper for any literature/stationery you produce.

It costs about the same to recycling collected as it does to have rubbish collected, so there's no reason for businesses not to recycle paper, cardboard etc.

Where we are there is also a 'Green Business Officer' who can come and give you a free audit to look at other ways in which you can minimise your environmental impact. Your local authority or business support organisation should be able to advise you on whether this sort of scheme operates in your area.

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

thanks for your reply i will look into the auditor

i was really looking into how £700 compared to what other similar sized businesses who want to recycle are paying. i have been quoted £880 from the council & theres no guarantee it will be recycled!

i have found it very confusing from the quotes given to me from biffa, shanks, cawleys & veolias as they keep saying "it depends on the amount of waste produced" which i totally understand however they seem very unwilling to give me a straight answer unless i agree to have them collect my waste.

i have been told at a networking meeting the reason for this is because they don't consider the amount of waste my office produces to be enough to make it worth their while?!

 

[Christiane]

I have a 1100ltr bin for cardboard and plastic recycling (not plastic bottles) and I pay about £90 per quarter with Valpak.

 

[The totter]

Hi,
I can give you a guide of what my company charges in Surrey, but I need to know what your requirements would be to give a comparison price.
So the price you quoted does that include the hire of a bin ? if so what size ? a 240 ltr wheelie bin/ 360 ltr bin, 770 ltr/or a 1100 ltr bin ? or do they supply sacks ? If so how many a week would you use ?
Prices will vary from area to area, however if you approach the company & change your contract into a commercial recycling contract then the charge should fall, as mixed municipal waste is always charged at a hirer rate.
This would entail you presorting recyclable materials & the company supplying recycling bins/bags for cardboard & paper etc.
In your quote are they including an annual WTN fee ???

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

to: justb is that for collection & the bin?

to: the totter im looking for a 6 bins (paper, cardboard, plastic cups, alu cans, newspaper & mags & ink toner) they need to be in-office bins as we have no space outside, & im looking for a weekly collection as i dont want the waste to build up.

 

[The totter]

to: justb is that for collection & the bin?

to: the totter I'm looking for a 6 bins (paper, cardboard, plastic cups, alu cans, newspaper & mags & ink toner) they need to be in-office bins as we have no space outside, & I'm looking for a weekly collection as i didnt want the waste to build up.

You don't need 6 bins, what you need is basically a recycling bag, you can put all those items in one bag except the toner, which you can donate to charity such as help the aged. A good waste company will presort these items themselves on vehicle or in a recycling plant. Price depending on how many bags you fill a week, say for argument sake you need 3 bags a week collected, then your annual waste bill would be with me £224.64. My company waivers the WTN but yours may apply in your area.

 

[ethical PR]

Have you tried getting quotes from local commercial recyling companies rather than major waste companies. We use New Leaf for paper and cardboard and donate toners etc to charity. Use mugs rather than plastic cups to minimise on plastics.

We pay per sack filled - and get them collected every 2-3 weeks. Can't remember costs, but these vary from area to area so probably best to get comparative quotes from local companies.

 

[Christiane]

to: justb is that for collection & the bin?

Yes. It all goes in the same bin and they separate it at their end. Weekly collection.

 

[Jheath]

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but the best way to save money on recycling / waste is to produce less waste in the first place. For example moving away from plastic cups to glasses or mugs will save buying the cups and save having to pay to get rid of them. If you must still use disposables join http://www.save-a-cup.co.uk/

It may be worth checking with your local chamber of commerce. Ours has a deal with http://www.urban-recycling.com/ where recycling (paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metals) can be delivered free of charge by members.

I even know of a small business (not naming names!) who are left with only a tiny amount of non-recyclable waste which ends up in the owners own wheelie bin at home. I understand this is technically a no-no because it's commercial waste, but I can see how it makes sense for them.

See if your toner cartridge supplier takes back empty cartridges for re-filling, or even better, buy re-filled ones - or re-fill the emply ones yourself and save £££££ (depends on the type of printer obviously).

Hope that helps!

 

[The totter]

Up to £5000 No No's actually if caught with commercial waste in their vehicle without a carriers license, and not having a waste transfer note for that journey, adding to that disposing of the waste in a domestic wheelie bin just to save a few ££s then they shouldn't be in business...All it needs is one disgruntled employee or a nosy neighbour to contact the E.A
P.S
Jheath I know you were not condoning this action just sharing, However you gave good advice in your post, reduce in the work place should be paramount.
Lets hope the O.P acknowledges all the good advice given...

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

yes thank you for all your help, my issue still remains though, i would like to have small separate in-office bins to we as an office can separate our waste. i really like the idea of having an interactive service where everyone in the office can play their part. It would also enhance our reputation with our clients if we are seen to do that. I'm certain it wouldn't affect productivity & I really don't want to put everything in one bag. ill keep looking : )

 

[ethical PR]

As I mentioned, if you speak to the council reycling team, they can put you in touch with local companies that offer a commerical recycling service, you can then speak to them about the best ways in which to maximise your recycling, how it can be collected and costs.

To maximise use, the scheme needs to be as easy as possible for staff to use. We have a sack in each office for paper and cardboard, which can be picked up at a days notice when we have collected enough, toners go to charities and we start by trying to minimise our waste by not having plastic cups, cans etc. We also use low energy bulbs etc.

We have cut down our waste by two thirds and therefore reduced our rubbish collection costs and environmental impact.

Once you have spoken to local suppliers you can then decide on what option will work best for you in terms of the service and costs.

Do let us know how you get on with getting estimates from local companies, it's always useful to see what else is available in the market place.

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

yes thanks I am having a look on thomsonlocal . com for recycling services in the biggleswade, sandy, arlesey area, I will report back on my findings

 

[The totter]

I have taken delivery of some new paper recycling bins ( pictured below) they are made from cardboard and i will trial them in offices with my clients permission. I will let you know how robust these are in situ, and any feed back I may receive from them.
I hope your search is going well in your area for a recycler, & don't forget to let us know how it's going.
Also try to negotiate a free (WTN) Annual Waste Transfer Note to save cost', there are a few companies that wavier this unnecessary fee.

 

[Recycling Man]

yes thanks I am having a look on thomsonlocal . com for recycling services in the biggleswade, sandy, arlesey area, I will report back on my findings

Hi Sandy,
If you are in Biggleswade I would suggest www.choicewastemanagement.com

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

to trotter:

what is a WTN fee?

to recycling man:

what do choice waste management do as i cannot find what services they provide on their website & they have been engaged when i rang?

 

[Recycling Man]

Choice Waste Management is a recycling company based in Biggleswade. They usually do large volumes of waste paper / plastics etc but may assist you on smaller quantities as you are local, they are based as you see in Biggleswade.

WTN = Waste Transfer Note

 

[i_want_to_be_green]

why would i have to pay for a WTN then?

what other recycling businesses are there that you (anyone) knows around the biggleswade area?

 

[Recycling Man]

why would i have to pay for a WTN then?

what other recycling businesses are there that you (anyone) knows around the biggleswade area?

To audit trail the waste to see where it ends up -
talk to www.shanks.co.uk (0)1908 650 650

 

[The totter]

why would i have to pay for a WTN then?

what other recycling businesses are there that you (anyone) knows around the biggleswade area?

You may not have to pay, as I say some companies wavier this fee but larger well known companies make a administration charge to issue a waste transfer note. You can read more about your duty of care here plus you can download a copy of a (WTN) yourself by visiting http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/63199.aspx