Too much recycling?

7th Sep 2026

Whilst recycling is widely acknowledged to be a good thing, having too much recycling creates an array of problems for businesses in the UK. If you have too much recycling at your place of work here's what you need to know and more importantly, what you can do to fix it.

5 signs you have too much recycling:

Your recycling bins are overfollowing
Your recycling is causing an obstruction to your employees or members of the public
Your recycling can be easily accessed by pests or members of the public
You've been tempted to present side waste on bin collection day
Your recycling is causing a H&S risk

What is commercial side waste?

Side waste Commercial side waste is any extra rubbish or recycling (loose or bagged) that doesn't fit into your commercial bins. The term also applies to waste protruding from a commercial bin that stops the bin lid from closing properly. Side waste is typically presented next to or on top of bins by those hopeful that it'll get taken away. Many waste collection firms and local councils such as Bristol have implemented waste improvement rules for businesses that include a strict no side waste policy.

Cardboard side waste

Due the popularity of cardboard as a packaging material, cardboard side waste is a common issue for businesses. To maximise the amount of material that is recycled, businesses must ensure that they have sufficient waste storage capacity to prevent cardboard recycling from getting contaminated or excessively wet.

Why is too much recycling a bad thing?

Excess recycling won't usually be collected by your waste carrier because of the following reasons:

Risks waste crew safety: Bins overflowing with heavy bags of rubbish cause a hazard to the people responsible for loading the filled bins onto the bin lifting system fitted to the waste collection vehicle.
May exceed the capacity of the waste collection vehicle: Additional waste may result in the collection vehicle reaching its capacity or the crew running out of time before the route is completed.
Potential for fines: Regular side waste can lead to warnings or fines from your waste collection company because the amount of waste you've presented for collection exceeds the amount you've paid to have taken away.
Risks pest activity: Loose recycling attracts seagulls, foxes and rodents seeking food or bedding material.
Risks contamination: The British weather can quickly disperse lightweight recyclable waste materials around the local area. This poses a problem for businesses because they have a legal responsibility to store waste materials securely and may also contaminate it preventing it from being recycled.

What can you do if your commercial bin is full?

Flatten your recycling before putting it in a bin

Baled recycling Cardboard boxes, plastic bags and metal cans can be all be crushed before they're binned to reduce the space they occupy in your bins. This task can be done manually or more safely and easily using recycling equipment such as a Recycling Baler or a Recycling Bin Compactor.

Ask a registered waste carrier for help with occasional excess waste

To remedy a short-term peak in recycling, consider a one-off waste collection by a registered waste carrier. It won't be cheap, but it'll be a quick fix. Just be sure to check the credentials of who you choose because the responsibility for the recycling remains with you until it reaches its destination.

Consider if you need to add recycling capacity

If you feel that the size of your bin is not adequate for your workplace's needs, you'll need to make arrangements to increase the recycling storage capacity at your premises. Waste storage capacity can be boosted by the addition of extra bins or the installation of recycling compaction equipment. Check the length of the contract before you sign to ensure it mirrors the amount of waste you want to recycle now and in the future.

Book a recycling review

By inviting a recycling specialist to your premises, you can get an outsiders perspective on the best solution to deal with your excess recycling. Review reviews typically involve a free, no-obligation visit to your premises by a waste expert the opportunity to trial the recommended equipment for a short period before you commit.

Balers vs. Bins: Which is the best solution for too much recycling?

We've scored the benefits of choosing a bin compared with a baler on key metrics.

Variables	Recycling Balers	Bins
Versatility	Recycling Balers can be used for several different recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminium cans. Score: 7/10	DMR bins can be used for several types of waste including paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminium cans. Score: 7/10
Costs	For long-term recycling needs, balers can work out cheaper. Score: 7/10	For short-term recycling needs, bins work out cheaper. Score: 7/10
Ease	People using a recycling baler must receive specialist training. Score: 5/10	Bins can be labelled to help workers know what they are used for. Score: 10/10
Final Verdict	Ideal for a long-term solution	Ideal for a short-term fix

Sum up

Having too much recycling needn't be a problem if you know what to do. The best way to resolve with your workplace recycling troubles depends on a number of factors including waste type, volume and whether it's a short-term or long-term problem. The crucial thing is to act quickly before it becomes a legal or H&S issue.