What Goes in Your Business Bin: Standardising Waste Sorting Across Commercial Sites?

In commercial environments, confusion around what belongs in each bin is one of the biggest barriers to effective recycling. Poor waste sorting leads to high contamination rates, missed recycling targets, and unnecessary waste management costs.

With the UK government introducing Simpler Recycling regulations by 2026, it is more important than ever for businesses to standardise bin usage, reduce errors, and ensure compliance across all commercial sites.

At Benji Waste, we support organisations with practical bin setups, compliant signage, and expert advice on improving recycling rates while reducing landfill waste.

Why Clear Bin Use Is Critical for Commercial Sites

1. Contamination Costs - Incorrect items placed in recycling bins can cause entire loads to be rejected and sent to landfill, incurring additional charges and lost recycling value.

2. Rising Disposal Costs - Mixed or contaminated waste often requires additional sorting or treatment, driving up waste handling fees and increasing general waste volumes.

3. Operational Confusion - When sites or departments use different bin colours or guidance, it causes uncertainty among staff and tenants, reducing compliance and increasing the risk of mistakes.

4. Legal Compliance - The UK’s upcoming Simpler Recycling legislation will require all businesses to separate recyclable waste streams in line with consistent national standards. Businesses must begin preparing now with clear signage and bin systems.

Standard Bin Streams for Commercial Waste

Use these key waste streams to meet current best practice and prepare for incoming regulation:

General Waste (Black or Grey Bin)

For items that cannot be recycled or are heavily soiled.

Examples include:

• Mixed materials

• PPE

• Polystyrene

• Used tissues

• Crisp packets and contaminated packaging

Mixed Dry Recycling (Blue or Clear Bin)

Clean, dry materials that can be recycled together.

Examples include:

• Paper and cardboard

• Plastic bottles and containers

• Drinks cans

• Aluminium trays (clean)

• Office paper and envelopes

Avoid placing any food or liquids in this stream.

Food Waste (Green Bin)

For raw and cooked food waste.

Examples include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Bakery waste

• Expired perishables

• Coffee grounds and tea bags

Note: Only compostable packaging is allowed in this bin.

Glass (Glass-Only Bin)

Clean bottles and jars.

Examples include:

• Beverage bottles

• Sauce and condiment jars

Do not include ceramics, window glass, or pyrex.

Cardboard Only (Designated Cage or Bin)

Large volumes of clean cardboard should be separated to allow for bulk recovery or baling.

Examples include:

• Outer packaging

• Shipping boxes

• Paperboard inserts

Keep dry and flat-packed to maximise space and minimise collection costs.

Soft Plastics (Specialty Bin)

Flexible plastic packaging that is clean and dry.

Examples include:

• Shrink wrap

• Pallet film

• Carrier bags

• Bread bags

• Mailing envelopes

Not accepted in regular recycling—requires specialist collection.

Hazardous and Electronic Waste (Separate Collection Point)

Should never be placed in general or mixed recycling bins.

Examples include:

• Batteries

• Vapes

• Printer cartridges

• Fluorescent light tubes

• Small electronics (WEEE)

Benji Waste can help you arrange separate collection and compliance documentation for these streams.

Best Practice for Waste Sorting Across Sites

1. Install Standardised Signage - Use consistent bin labels with clear icons and examples across every site or department. Position signage at eye level.

2. Cluster Bin Streams - Never place a general waste bin by itself. Always pair it with at least one recycling bin to encourage proper sorting.

3. Include Visual and Multilingual Guidance - Support diverse teams by using visual-only posters or multilingual signage, especially in hospitality or logistics settings.

4. Conduct Regular Contamination Audits - Review bin contents monthly and provide additional training or signage updates where contamination is high.

5. Integrate Sorting Into Training - Include waste stream guidance in tenant manuals, new staff inductions, and contractor onboarding.

How Benji Waste Supports Smarter Bin Systems

We work with commercial landlords, facilities managers, and retailers to implement compliant, cost-saving bin infrastructure across offices, shopping centres, warehouses, and hospitality venues.

Our services include:

• Bin supply and layout planning

• Colour-coded signage and education packs

• Site-specific bin clustering and placement

• Ongoing support for Simpler Recycling readiness

• Advice on soft plastics, WEEE, and food waste segregation

Ready to Standardise Bin Use Across Your Business?

Start building a more effective, compliant waste system with Benji Waste. Our team can help you assess your current setup and deliver a bin system that reduces contamination and meets UK recycling requirements.

Enquire Now