Sharing business bins is part of the wider Non-Household Municipal (NHM) waste cost alleviation which also includes collaborative procurement.
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and regional partnerships have effectively utilised tendering processes to offer businesses in their areas preferential waste collection rates on an opt-in basis. This approach not only reduces operational costs for businesses but also promotes sustainable waste management practices.
By leveraging collective bargaining power, BIDs and regional partnerships can effectively support local businesses in managing waste more efficiently and sustainably. The benefits of tendering for preferential waste collection rates are as follows:
Cost savings: By aggregating demand, BIDs can negotiate better rates with waste management providers, leading to reduced costs for individual businesses.
Environmental impact: Coordinated waste collection reduces the number of collection vehicles required, thereby decreasing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions in the area.
Regulatory compliance: Under Simpler Recycling, businesses are required to separate recyclables from general waste. Participating in BID-organised waste collection schemes can facilitate compliance with these requirements.
The following examples highlight how collaborative procurement can provide compliant, reliable, clean and cost-effective collection services.
The Fitzrovia Partnership
In 2022, The Fitzrovia Partnership conducted a preferred supplier tender for waste and recycling services. As a result, member businesses gained access to preferential rates with selected suppliers.
Bath BID and Grist Environmental
The Bath BID partners with Grist Environmental to offer waste and recycling services at competitive rates for BID levy payers. By conducting an extensive review of trade waste, Bath BID was able to identify efficiencies and negotiate a partnership that benefits local businesses.
This kind of initiative not only helps businesses reduce costs but also streamlines waste collection, potentially reducing the number of waste collection vehicles in the city and improving sustainability efforts:
Competitive rates:
Access to preferential pricing for waste collection and recycling services.
Zero-waste-to-landfill solutions:
Implementation of streamlined collection processes for various waste streams, including food waste, ensuring no waste is sent to landfill.
Free cardboard collection:
Complimentary collection services for cardboard materials.
Local treatment facilities:
Utilisation of nearby facilities to process waste, thereby minimising carbon emissions associated with transportation.
Excellent customer service:
Provision of dedicated account management and responsive support for businesses.
Transparent contracts:
Clear agreements with no hidden charges, ensuring businesses understand the services they receive and the associated costs.
Next-day delivery of waste sacks:
Prompt supply of necessary materials to facilitate efficient waste collection.
Emergency support:
Availability of out-of-hours contact for urgent situations.