London, as the UK's economic capital, is home to a huge range of businesses, all of which need reliable, safe and cost-effective waste disposal services. From food waste to glass, cardboard and electronic equipment, the variety of commercial waste generated in the capital is vast. The good news is there are trusted collection services operating across every borough of Greater London to help keep the city clean and compliant.

In this guide, we highlight the main waste collection services available, which providers operate in London, and how local councils support business waste management.

Food Waste Collection in London

With more restaurants and cafes than anywhere else in the country, London produces large volumes of commercial food waste. This includes kitchen scraps, leftovers and out-of-date stock.

Food waste is taken to local facilities where it is turned into energy or compost, helping reduce landfill usage and support a more sustainable city.

Glass Recycling Services for London Businesses

Bars, pubs and restaurants across London go through large quantities of glass bottles and jars. Glass recycling services are widely available to businesses, with weekly collections standard in most boroughs.

After collection, the glass is sorted, cleaned and processed into reusable material for making new bottles and jars.

Cardboard Waste Collection Across London

Retail, logistics and hospitality businesses in London receive a constant flow of goods packaged in cardboard. As cardboard is widely recyclable, most commercial waste providers offer specialist bins for it. Collections can often be arranged daily or weekly depending on your needs.

High-volume cardboard producers may even receive rebates or discounts for clean, separated material.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Services in London

From dental practices and hospitals to laboratories and beauty salons, many businesses generate hazardous waste that must be handled with care. Examples include medical waste, chemicals and contaminated packaging.

Hazardous waste must be stored in secure containers and collected by licensed carriers in line with environmental regulations.

Secure Confidential Waste Disposal in London

Finance, law and public sector organisations in the capital deal with sensitive data daily. To dispose of paperwork securely, many use confidential waste services.

This ensures documents are collected, shredded and recycled in line with data protection laws. 

Coffee Grounds and Cup Recycling in the Capital

With thousands of coffee shops operating across London, coffee waste has become a growing concern. Some providers now offer dedicated collection services for used coffee grounds and takeaway cups.

Collected waste is recycled into compost or energy and can help coffee shops reduce their environmental impact.

Printer Ink Cartridge Collection Services

Despite the rise in digital, offices across the capital still rely on printing. Used printer ink cartridges are classed as e-waste and should not be placed in general bins.

Providers including Recorra and First Mile offer safe collection and recycling of toner cartridges across London.

Recycling Services for Single-Use Plastics

To reduce the number of plastic bottles and packaging entering landfill, businesses can now arrange collection of single-use plastics. Waste firms collect and sort these items, and where possible, recycle them into new plastic goods.

Commercial E-Waste Disposal in London

Technology evolves quickly, leaving businesses with out-of-date electronics. Items like computers, monitors, cables and phones can be collected as electronic waste.

Many providers aim to repair and reuse items before recycling them. Battery disposal services are also available.

London Waste Collection Companies Covering the City

Several trusted companies offer regular waste collection throughout London:

• First Mile B Corp certified and offering daily collections, First Mile uses electric cargo bikes in central London to reduce emissions.
• Biffa The UK’s largest waste firm, with sites in Dagenham, Battersea, and Heathrow. They handle commercial and domestic waste with a focus on landfill reduction.
• Veolia Operating from multiple sites across London, Veolia provides recycling, composting and energy recovery solutions.
• Bywaters With clients including the Houses of Parliament, Bywaters is known for its sustainable approach to waste across major landmarks.
• Grundon Family-run and carbon-neutral, Grundon offers comprehensive services including hazardous waste and recycling.
• Recorra Southwark-based Recorra partners with companies like Savills to improve sustainability.

Commercial Waste Services from London Borough Councils

Some of London’s 32 borough councils provide business waste services. These are paid services and include regular bin collections for general and recyclable waste.

Examples include:

• Camden Council
• Westminster Council
• Islington Council
• Lambeth Council
• Bexley Council

Visit your local council website to check if they offer commercial waste services in your area.

Commercial Waste Disposal Sites in London

Not all councils accept business waste at recycling centres. However, several facilities across London do allow commercial waste disposal. These include:

• Powerday – Bermondsey, Canning Town, Wimbledon
• GBN Services – Edmonton, Harefield
• O’Donovan – Tottenham, Wembley
• Bywaters – Bow and Leyton
• Veolia – Southwark, Lewisham

Important: Businesses must have a waste carrier licence and may need to book in advance. Proof of address and fees apply.

Get a Quote for Waste Collection in London

With Expert Compare, finding the right commercial waste provider is simple. We work with trusted partners across the city to match your business with a waste collection service that fits your needs and budget.