A guide to commercial recycling for businesses

Recycling as a business is no longer a nice-to-do. For the majority of us, it is now a legal requirement.

Commercial recycling is important for protecting nature, cutting total emissions, contributing to a circular economy, and positively communicating what your business is about.

If you’re looking to understand business recycling and your commitments in one easy place, then you’ve landed on the right website.

Here’s everything you need to know about business recycling in one handy guide.

What do we mean by ‘business recycling’?

When we talk about business recycling, we mean the processes, systems and services that help your organisation capture, separate, and divert recyclable materials from the general waste stream – whether that’s cardboard, paper, plastics, metals, glass, food waste or other commercial waste-types.

In effect, you’re establishing a structured way to keep useful materials out of landfill and feed them back into use.

For example, in our commercial recycling services, we support local businesses to sort and collect recyclables and help them build a sustainable waste-management plan that complements their operations.

This can be in more obvious ways, such as dedicated waste bins and recycling sorting stations, or more novel ways, such as creating a direct line-of-reuse between two client business.

Learn more about just some of the ways we’re helping rugby clubs, music festivals and even zoos do more around recycling.

Inspiration from Recycling Week 2025

What commercial waste can be recycled?

Many common waste streams should be diverted for recycling rather than simply mixed with general waste. Some of the most common examples within commercial settings include:

Cardboard and paper (office packaging, shipped boxes)
Plastics (bottles, tubs, trays, plastic packaging)
Metal (cans, tins, aluminium)
Glass (bottles, jars)
Food waste (especially in hospitality, retail, and care homes)
Electronic/-electrical waste (WEEE) from offices, IT
Green waste
Hazardous waste (chemical, sanitary)

At DCW, we identify which of your waste streams are recyclable, supply the correct containers, collect them on the correct schedule and send them to our processing facility so you don’t have to worry about sorting downstream. We even sort mixed waste to make sure every possible recyclable piece of waste is saved from landfill.

Understanding new Simpler Recycling legislation

The new Simpler Recycling legislation in England requires businesses to separate dry recyclables, food waste and residual waste ahead of collection.

Small firms with fewer than 10 staff have until 31 March 2027; larger businesses had until March 31st this year (2025).

At DCW, we help clients stay on the right side of regulation: we supply the containers, the collection schedule, and handle the downstream sorting too.

Learn everything you need to know about Simpler Recycling in our full guide.

Simpler Recycling Guide

What are the benefits of recycling for businesses?

Aside from complying with legal duties, business recycling carries a number of benefits for a business – some monetary, some reputational.

Environmental leadership: By diverting materials from landfill you reduce carbon footprint and contribute positively to sustainability. Our Zero to Landfill policy means all waste is either sorted to recycle, or incinerated to produce power.
Cost savings: By optimising your recycling and collection schedule, you can reduce disposal costs and avoid paying for unnecessary general-waste collections.
Simplified operations: We supply containers, provide collection and handle processing – you don’t have to manage multiple contractors or waste streams. The right containers in the right locations also encourage self-sorting from employees, guests, and customers.
Improved reputation: Sustainable waste management is becoming a key part of brand and stakeholder value. Being able to say your business is partnered with DCW and embraces recycling is a positive message.

Read our full in-depth article on the benefits of business recycling below.

Benefits of business recycling

Understanding new Simpler Recycling legislation

When it comes to business recycling, we’ve really got you covered here at DCW.

We handle a wide range of commercial waste with our recycling collection and sorting services, including confidential waste, commercial glass, cardboard, plastic, clinical, food and hazardous waste.

We can combine your recycling management with your commercial waste management. The right bins, collected at the right time, and processed in the right way in accordance with our Zero-to-landfill mission.

For responsible and sustainable recycling services, contact the experienced DCW team today. One of our friendly specialists will be more than happy to discuss your requirements with you, suggest the best way to manage your business recycling requirements, and provide a free quote.

We hope to speak to you soon.

Request a quote

What our customers say

We are proud that so many of our customers come back to us every time for all their commercial waste disposal needs. You can find out more about what our customers think below.

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"We as a company changed our waste suppliers to DCW earlier this season, quite an undertaking as it involved three of our local parks.

"The transition from one company to DCW was made seamless by Kate. Nothing was too much trouble and when questions were raised, she either answered straight away or found out and came back to us. Kate is always contactable, important for a business like ours when so much is done online. She regularly keeps in contact and will call in as and if required."

Bob Lawrence,
Devon Valley Holiday Village

Testimonials

“GK Signs have been using DCW for a number of years to manage the collection and disposal of our waste. Initially, our relationship was formed to service our site in Exeter, Devon, but this has now developed into a national agreement. DCW are always able to meet our requirements, which can at times be demanding. From the office support through to delivery drivers, DCW are very flexible and fully support GK Signs.”

Colin Green,
GK Signs Ltd Via email

Testimonials

"Like all companies, this period has been difficult for Twofour Group Ltd. However, we are successfully attempting to return to some form of normal working practices and with the assistance of efficient and adaptable contractors, this goal is hopefully easier to achieve. DCW are without doubt the best waste contractor that we have dealt with, in my 13 years at this company... I would have no hesitation in recommending DCW with their 'Zero to landfill' ethos being an important virtue with our company."

Graham K. McCormick,
Twofour Group Ltd Via email

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"As always if you have a problem DCW will help. We have a depot over 200 miles away from the main site that needed help with waste management. One quick email to DCW and the issue was quickly resolved. The simplicity of having all the waste managed from one place and one number to call for help make this a superb company for national services with a local approach."

Justin Holloway,
Bandvulc Tyres Ltd Via email

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Colin Green,
GK Signs Ltd Via email

Testimonials

"We've been DCW customers for about 3 years, maybe longer. Their zero to landfill promise aligns with our ideals, and makes our tenants very happy. They don't need to sort their waste to know that if it's recyclable, it gets recycled. Zero hassle, zero to landfill. Accounts and customer services staff have always been very helpful and friendly.

If you haven't tried them, what have you got to lose?"

Rhiannon, Hub Manager,
Tavistock Enterprise Hub Via twitter

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"As a business we strive to maximise waste for recycling, however as a busy exhibition and conference centre found it difficult with traders not necessarily caring of the way in which they dispose of waste. In working with DCW, we have been able to achieve our ambitions and easily, thanks to the fantastic technology they use. We are now proudly recycling the vast majority of waste generated."

Sarah Rich, Events Manager,
Westpoint, Exeter

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“After experiencing a series of inconsistent collections and communication difficulties with our previous waste management provider, we switched to DCW who now handle our general waste and recycling requirements for our two sites in Somerset. We are extremely happy with the excellent service we receive from DCW. The transfer process was easy and simple and it’s handy to have a monthly call with the team. Even though DCW offers competitive rates, we primarily switched to this local recycling company for a better service as our previous provider was unreliable. I cannot fault the DCW team’s work and I look forward to working with them in the foreseeable future.”

Tristan Savage, Managing Director,
Falcon Vehicle Solutions

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“We’ve been dealing with DCW for several years now and I am constantly grateful to them for their knowledge and ability to respond to the currently ever-changing situations for the education sector. Always there at the end of the phone when the latest Covid guidance for schools changes and we have to adapt our processes. It’s nice to not have to worry about the waste chain when there is so much else to consider at the moment."

Jamie Halse, Estates Manager,
Stover School