North Devon Council Is Ending Commercial Waste Collections: What Should Businesses Do?
North Devon Council has confirmed it will stop all commercial waste collections from 31 March 2026, leaving thousands of local businesses responsible for arranging their own waste services.
The decision affects an estimated 6,745 businesses across North Devon, including shops, hospitality venues, offices, care providers, and industrial sites. With just 75 days’ notice, businesses now need to act quickly to stay compliant and avoid disruption.
Below, we explain what is changing, why it matters, and what North Devon businesses should do next.
When will North Devon Council stop collecting
commercial waste?
Businesses currently using North Devon Council’s trade waste service were notified in mid-January that all council-run commercial waste collections will cease on 31 March 2026.
After this date, the council will no longer collect waste from businesses under any circumstances. Any business that has not arranged an alternative service will be left without lawful waste removal.
Why has the service been cut?
In its communication to customers, North Devon Council cited several reasons for withdrawing from commercial waste collection, including:
- Rising operating costs and difficulty running the service sustainably
- Capacity pressures following Simpler Recycling reforms
- The fact that many businesses already use private waste providers
While the council will continue household collections, commercial waste will no longer be supported.
What North Devon businesses
need to do now
Act quickly to avoid non-compliance
UK law requires all businesses to have waste collected by a licensed waste carrier. If your waste is not removed correctly, you could face enforcement action, fines, or issues with pests and hygiene.
Leaving waste uncollected is not an option.
Check your legal waste responsibilities
Your obligations depend on:
- The size of your business
- How many employees you have
- The types of waste you produce
Businesses with more than 10 employees must now separate:
Any new provider will be able to support this.
Carry out a waste audit
A waste audit helps you understand:
- How much waste you produce
- Which waste streams you need collections for
- Where costs can be reduced
This makes it far easier to choose the right private provider and avoid paying for services you do not need.
Choose a licensed private waste provider
Not all waste companies offer the same service. When comparing providers, look for:
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Flexible collections that suit your business hours
- Free or included bins where possible
- Clear support with compliance and documentation
Choosing the wrong provider can be costly in the long run.
Reduce waste where possible
Reducing waste is one of the simplest ways to cut costs. Businesses should consider:
- Packaging reduction
- Supplier changes
- Better recycling segregation
- Composting food and organic waste where appropriate
Less waste means fewer collections and lower bills.
How could this affect North Devon?
If businesses do not act before the service ends, the local area could see:
- Missed collections and overflowing bins
- Increased risk of rats, flies, and odour issues
- Pressure on shared waste areas and back-of-house spaces
There is also concern that sudden changes to waste services can lead to increased fly-tipping, particularly when businesses are unsure how to dispose of waste lawfully.
While most businesses will act responsibly, poor planning increases the risk of environmental and public health issues.
Expert insight on the impact
of the change
Mark Hall, waste management expert at Business Waste, said:
Arrange a private commercial waste service
in North Devon
If your business currently relies on North Devon Council for waste collections, now is the time to switch.
Business Waste provides:
- Licensed commercial waste collections across North Devon
- Free bins and delivery
- Flexible collections tailored to your business
- Full compliance support, including Simpler Recycling requirements
We already help over 30,000 UK businesses stay compliant, reduce waste, and avoid disruption.
Get set up before 31 March
Do not leave it until the last minute.
Speak to our team today to arrange a no-obligation waste audit and quote, and ensure your business is covered before council collections end.
Contact Business Waste today to secure your commercial waste service in North Devon.
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