01242 6209036 Ways to Save Money on Bins
8th Jan 2026
With business overheads and the general cost of living at an all-time high, there's never been a better time to discover new ways to save money on bins and bin emptying. Reducing the number of bins you need and the frequency of your waste collections isn’t just great for your bottom line – it can also help to make your business more sustainable.
In this guide, we'll list 6 ways to reduce your bin costs by making smarter choices. By implementing these cost-cutting strategies, businesses could reduce the number of bins they need and when they are emptied to cut overheads.
Step 1: Separate Your Waste
Ensure you comply with the UK’s “Simpler Recycling” regulations by separating dry recyclable waste from food waste and general waste to protect your business from high bin emptying costs and the risk of fines. DMR bins are subject to lower disposal charges than bins full of general waste. General waste destined for landfill is subject to Landfill Tax which is £126.15 per tonne in 2025, rising to £130.75 per tonne from April 2026. In contrast, bins of dry mixed recycling can sent to a recycling facility to be reprocessed into new materials.
Top tip: Some types of business waste do not have to be disposed of in a bin. For example cardboard boxes can be compacted in Cardboard Balers and turned into cardboard bales.
Step 2: Use Appropriately Sized Bins
Ensure your bins are the correct size for your workplace to prevent them from overflowing with waste. A 1100 litre bin costs more than a 240 litre bin so you should aim to match the size of your bin to the amount of waste you produce. If your bins are only partially full, you are likely to be paying more than necessary. By using the correct size of waste container for your needs, you’ll save money and better utilise your workspace.
Top tip: Consider waste compaction equipment that can be used in conjunction with your bins such as a Wheelie Bin Compactor to help you maximise the capacity of your bins. At first glance, adding new equipment to your balance sheet may appear to be counterintuitive, but typically a bin press can help to reduce your bins 3:1 leading to lower costs overall.
Step 3: Book a Bin Audit
A bin audit can help you to identify opportunities to reduce the number of bins you need. The volume of your waste and your location will influence the amount you pay for waste disposal. Unsurprisingly, it is far easier to reduce the volume of your waste than the location of your business! By installing on-site waste compaction equipment such as bin compactors and Waste Balers, you can efficiently and safely condense your business waste to reduce the number of bins you need.
Top tip: Book a free bin audit with QCR by calling 01242 620903.
Step 4: Repurpose your cardboard recycling
Top tip: Businesses can hire a shredder to put this solution to the test.
Step 5: Request timely bin emptying
Businesses pay registered waste carriers to collect their waste, dispose of it and provide them with waste transfer notes. Choosing a reliable and reputable waste company is important. You should also take care when agreeing upon the frequency that the bins will be emptied because this will significantly on your waste costs. If your business is seasonal, it's important to check if you can reduce your collection frequency during your quieter periods to save money.
Step 6: Discover the value of the waste in your bins
Some recyclable materials can be easily compacted into bales or blocks before you sell them in bulk to a recycler to generate a new source of income for your business. Examples include large amounts of uncontaminated cardboard, plastics, and EPS polystyrene. By selling your waste for recycling, you’ll reduce your environmental footprint and support the circular economy. A quick conversation with QCR can help you determine if there is value within your business waste.
Conclusion
Bins help workplaces fulfil their legal duty to manage their business waste responsibly. Reviewing the bins you use and how often they are emptied is essential for keeping costs under control and ensuring compliance with waste regulations in the UK. Start by booking a free bin audit with QCR to find out how to save money on bins.
Written by Neil Holland, QCR Recycling Equipment
Credentials: Neil leads a nationwide team of bin auditing experts who provide free advice to businesses who are struggling with high bin costs. This blog post was published at the start of 2026 when many businesses were sharing their stress about spiralling overheads.
