Thinking of starting a recycling collection service during Birmingham bin strike - advice needed!

[davegibbs]

Hi everyone – With the ongoing bin collection strike in Birmingham causing mountains of waste to pile up across the city, I'm considering launching a small eco-friendly recycling transport service. I'd really appreciate some feedback on whether this is viable.

About me...

• I'm currently working as a courier so I have vehicle and route optimisation experience
• No waste management experience but passionate about reducing landfill waste
• Looking to run this solo (no employees) initially

The service concept:

• Collect pre-sorted recyclables from homes and transport them to proper recycling facilities
• Focus on materials the council typically handles but can't during the strike
• Potentially transition to hard-to-recycle items post-strike

Questions:

1. Is this a sensible business opportunity or am I missing something critical?
2. What permits/licenses would I definitely need besides a waste carrier license?
3. Any advice on pricing structure? (Thinking £15-25 per collection or subscription model)
4. Has anyone attempted something similar during previous strikes?
5. Best approach for quick, low-cost marketing to affected neighbourhoods?

Any insight would be massively appreciated, especially from those familiar with waste regulations or who've started similar services.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WaveJumper]

A simple concept but unfortunately there is a whole raft of rules on waste collection and disposal, maybe start here:

Waste management and recycling - HSE

Explains what HSE is doing to tackle key issues in the waste industry as well as providing access to a range of information about health and safety for waste management and recycling industries.

www.hse.gov.uk

 

[Mark T Jones]

If your plan is to benefit from the strike, your window will be limited. (As in the strike should be over by the time you've got everything in place)

On the other hand, there is an ongoing market for private collections, particularly of you can mix 'dump runs' with standard recycling.

Start with the link given by @WaveJumper

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

As Mark says, this will have an extremely limited window, the majority of which has likely already passed.

Plus you're not wanting to deal with people's main concern - the bin bags of stinking, rotting food waste that's attracting vermin and stinking the place out. Having an overflowing cardboard bin or even can/bottle bin is likely to be of little bother to them in the grand scheme of things.

I'd also imagine (and from clips I've seen on the news) that the majority of people have abandoned any attempt at sorting and recycling their waste at this point and are just waiting until they can dump the lot somewhere, somehow.

I think this one's a non-starter I'm afraid.

 

[DontAsk]

It's food waste and general waste that are the real problem, attracting the rats, not the recycleables.

The bins ARE being collected in many areas. Recycling is going in the normal waste bins, at least that was the instruction in Bournville at my son's house..

Tip runs have to be booked in advance for normal punters in Brum. You are only allowed one tip run a day and cannot book more than two in advance. Rules are probably different for a business but you will need to pay each time you visit. I doubt they are set up for the kind of service you want to offer.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Why not speak to your council and offer a selective/regional full rubbish run to the tip (assuming they are not also on strike)?

You would need waste management registration/certification, which could take time.

Also, if there was money in this, all of the local companies would probably already be doing this!

 

[BizWaste]

Hi everyone – With the ongoing bin collection strike in Birmingham causing mountains of waste to pile up across the city, I'm considering launching a small eco-friendly recycling transport service. I'd really appreciate some feedback on whether this is viable.

About me...

• I'm currently working as a courier so I have vehicle and route optimisation experience
• No waste management experience but passionate about reducing landfill waste
• Looking to run this solo (no employees) initially

The service concept:

• Collect pre-sorted recyclables from homes and transport them to proper recycling facilities
• Focus on materials the council typically handles but can't during the strike
• Potentially transition to hard-to-recycle items post-strike

Questions:

1. Is this a sensible business opportunity or am I missing something critical?
2. What permits/licenses would I definitely need besides a waste carrier license?
3. Any advice on pricing structure? (Thinking £15-25 per collection or subscription model)
4. Has anyone attempted something similar during previous strikes?
5. Best approach for quick, low-cost marketing to affected neighbourhoods?

Any insight would be massively appreciated, especially from those familiar with waste regulations or who've started similar services.

Thanks in advance!

This sounds like a smart idea, especially with the current demand. Once you start collecting waste as part of a paid service, even if it's just recyclables, it’s classed as commercial activity. That means you’ll need the right licences, starting with a waste carrier licence, and you’ll also need to understand your responsibilities under waste regulations.


My business deals with this day in, day out. We’ve published blogs that explain the key requirements, how to stay compliant, and what to consider when pricing services like this. If you search for commercial waste regulations or licences, our site should come up. The information there will give you a good overview and help you get set up properly.


Happy to help if you want any pointers.