What is Commercial Glass Collection?

If your business produces glass waste, you’ll need to understand commercial glass collection and recycling.

Glass is one of the most widely recycled materials, with just under 70% of it recycled in the UK, according to official statistics. Glass is actually a really green material in the sense that it can be recycled over and over again indefinitely.

However, it does not break down in landfills – unless you’re willing to wait at least 4,000 years – so it’s really important it does not end up mixed in with general waste.

In this article, we’ll explain how commercial glass collection works so you can ensure you have the right waste management services in place to handle your business’s glass waste, boosting your green credentials.  

What is Commercial Glass Collection? 

Commercial glass collection is the process of collecting, processing, and recycling glass waste from businesses. Glass waste is stored in a suitable receptacle, such as a wheelie bin, specifically for this type of waste.

Then, it needs to be collected by a registered provider. You can check the government’s register of licensed commercial waste carriers here. It’s your responsibility to ensure you choose a reputable provider that will dispose of your business waste properly.  

Types of Glass Waste 

Things you can put in a glass recycling bin, broken or intact, include: 

• Bottles for drinks, oils, liquids 
• Jars for honey, jam or sauces 
• Window panes 
• Perfume bottles 

Things you can’t put in a glass recycling bin include: 

• Lids and caps from glass containers  
• Lightbulbs 
• Pyrex 
• Mirrors  

How is Glass Waste Collected and Disposed Of? 

Glass waste can pose a health and safety hazard, so it should go into a dedicated, toughened, and sealed bin. You can have different bins for different coloured glass – green, clear, or brown. 

A licensed waste management company should collect your glass recycling on your scheduled collection day. Our guide to choosing a commercial waste management company provides more information [LINK].

After collection, the glass waste is sent to a specialist facility to be crushed, cleaned, and separated into different colours.

It is then melted down and reformed into new bottles and jars, or it can be used for other purposes such as wool insulation, water filtration, or road surfacing. 

How Much Does Glass Collection Cost? 

Most commercial waste disposal companies set their prices depending on the volume and weight of waste, the type of waste, and the collection frequency.

Because crushed glass saves space, its collection is likely to be cheaper than that of intact glass. Contact waste management companies for tailored quotes for your commercial glass recycling needs.  

How Can My Business Reduce Glass Waste? 

There are a few ways you could try to reduce the glass waste your business produces: 

• Upcycle or repurpose glass eg as décor or storage 
• Donate glassware that still has life in it 
• Promote glass recycling among employees 
• Promote reusable containers instead of single-use glass products 
• Cut glass as efficiently as possible to reduce offcuts 

Where glass waste is unavoidable, ensuring high recycling rates for your glass is the next best thing you can do. 

What Types of Glass Recycling Bins Are Available? 

Waste management companies typically have a range of glass-only recycling bins, so you can choose the size most suitable for your business’s waste production.

A household wheelie bin from the local council is typically 240 litres in size. Businesses might want larger wheelie bins, and they usually go up to 1,100 litres. There are also larger containers, such as front-end or rear-end loaders, or smaller containers, such as bags or small bins.

If your business generates a lot of glass waste, you might want an on-site compactor that crushes the glass into what’s called a ‘cullet’ to save space. This could potentially also save you money on collections priced by volume.

A waste management company should be able to recommend the right size and type of container for your business when you approach them for a quote. 

Who Needs Glass Collection in the UK? 

Any waste that is produced by a business, even a small business that you run from home, is classed as commercial waste. Certain types of businesses are likely to produce more glass waste than others, for instance: 

• Pubs and bars 
• Nightclubs 
• Restaurants  
• Hotels 
• Cafes 
• Laboratories 
• Glass manufacturers, glaziers, fitters 
• Garages 
• Construction or renovation companies 

You are responsible for correctly disposing of all your business’s waste, including glass (more on this below).  

Which Is the Best Company for Glass Collection? 

There’s not one answer to this question, as every business will have different requirements and budgets.

You can read reviews of some of the leading brands in the commercial waste management disposal space on Business Expert here. 

Glass Collection Laws and Regulations in the UK

If you don’t dispose of your company’s waste correctly, you could face fines, prosecution, reputational risk, and, of course, you would be damaging the environment. The government has outlined the responsibilities businesses have around commercial waste disposal. You must:

• Keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste.
• Sort and store waste safely and securely.
• Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves your premises (you can do this each year if the collection details stay the same) and keep records for two years. · Check if your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste (search the official register here)
• Do not allow the waste carrier to dispose of your waste illegally – you must report them if they do.

You also have to store waste safely and securely before it is collected. You must:

• Store waste in a secure place
• Use suitable containers to stop waste from escaping
• Label containers clearly with what they contain
• Use covers to stop waste from being blown away
• Protect from rain

Using suitable bins provided by a registered waste carrier should ensure you meet all these requirements effortlessly.

There are several laws and regulations in place governing commercial waste in the UK. Here are some of the main ones:

The Environmental Protection Act 1990

Places a duty of care on businesses to keep land clear of litter, regulates the transport and treatment of waste, establishes local authority over waste disposal companies.

The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011

Compels businesses to segregate waste, encourage recycling, and follow the waste hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery, with disposal (such as sending to landfill) as a last resort.

The Landfill Directive

This includes the Landfill tax, which acts as an incentive for businesses to divert waste away from landfills. It also bans hazardous waste and some types of untreated biodegradable waste from landfills.

The Controlled Waste Regulations 2012

These regulations define different categories of waste, including household, industrial, and commercial waste, and explain how they should be managed.

Simpler Recycling

From 31 March 2025, a new legislation called Simpler Recycling will require businesses, schools, hospitals, and other non-household premises in England to separate their recycling and food waste from their general waste.