You’re responsible for disposing of any waste your business produces in a safe way.
If you run a business, you must:
- use a licensed waste collection company to collect your waste
- arrange and pay for the disposal of waste that your business produces
- keep your waste in proper containers
- have a collection contract in place
- keep records - waste transfer notes
- have separate collections for recycling and food waste in place from 31 March 2025
Your business rates do not cover the cost of waste and recycling collections.
Read about the new legislation for getting rid of business waste
What business waste is
Business waste is any waste that comes from a commercial activity. This also includes waste that comes from:
- schools
- charity and community organisations
- home businesses
- construction
- facilities management
You should not put your business waste in household bins.
How to dispose of your business waste
You can get rid of your business waste by:
- using our business waste collection service
- taking your business waste to a transfer station
- using a licensed waste collection company
- registering as a waste carrier and disposing of it yourself
If you're using our business waste collection service
We provide waste collection services to businesses and non-household premises in Royal Greenwich.
We collect:
- general waste like non-recyclable waste like polystyrene, tissues, and packaging
- dry recycling like paper, glass, plastics, and metals
- food waste like leftovers, fruits, and vegetables
Request a call back if you'd like to use our collection service or discuss your business waste needs.
If you’re using the transfer station
You can take items that cannot be taken by your waste collection service to the Veolia Waste Transfer Station. This is located next to the Reuse and Recycling Centre in Nathan Way.
You’ll need to pay to use this site as you’ll be charged based on how much your waste weighs.
The opening hours for the Waste Transfer Station are:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | 8am to 5:30pm |
| Saturday | 8am to 4:30pm |
| Sunday | 9am to 4pm |
What to wear when visiting the site
You will not be able to enter the site without safety equipment. You must wear:
- a hard hat
- high-visibility vest or coat
- safety boots
- full length trousers (not shorts or three-quarter lengths)
You may also wear gloves and safety glasses. You’ll not be allowed into the site without safety wear.
If you’re using a waste collection company
You must use a licensed waste collection company to dispose of your business waste.
Check the Environment Agency register of waste carriers for licensed waste collection companies you can use.
If you’re disposing of your business waste yourself
If you want to dispose of your own business waste, you must register as a waste carrier.
Other types of waste
If your business produces clinical or hazardous waste, call 020 7332 3433 to book a collection with the City of London.
If you want to dispose of bulky waste, you’ll need to take this to the transfer station.