Thinking About Sharing Bins? Here’s What You Need to Know
Sharing bins can save space and money—but it needs planning. Here are the essentials:
1. Where Will the Bins Go?
Make sure bins are easy to access and collect.
If space is tight, split bin types across locations (e.g. for a row of shops, food waste behind restaurants, paper/card behind offices).
For new builds or refurbishments, follow BS 5906:2005 and ADEPT’s Making Space for Waste guidelines.
2. What Bins Do You Need?
Under Simpler Recycling, you must separate:
Food waste
Paper & card (unless mixed recycling is allowed)
Mixed dry recycling (plastic, glass, metal)
Residual waste
Extra bins for glass, plastics, or cans may help if you produce lots of these. Choose container sizes and collection frequency based on your waste audit.
3. Who’s Responsible?
Where bin provision is shared:
Facilities manager/landlord: compliant services have been required since 31 March 2025 (or 2027 for micro firms).
Waste collector: Provide compliant services.
Businesses: Use the service correctly.
Tip: Do a bin audit every 6–12 months to check waste types and volumes.
4. How Often Should Collections Happen?
Depends on waste type and volume:
Food waste = frequent
Glass = maybe monthly depending on need Your bin audit will guide this.
5. Keep Bins Contamination-Free
Wrong items in recycling = contamination, fines, and extra costs.
Use clear signage on/above bins.
Train staff—communication is key.
6. Fair Use & Cost Sharing
Lock bins if they’re in open areas.
Agree on cost splits based on usage (bin audits help).
7. Keep It Clean
Shared bins can get messy. Decide who cleans or include cleaning in your shared service agreement. All workplaces | Communicating with your staff