Sevenoaks District Council Stops Commercial Waste Collections
Sevenoaks District Council has announced it will stop all commercial waste collections from the end of September 2025. The move will affect any business in the town and wider Kent region that currently relies on the service to get rid of rubbish from their company.
The council has directly attributed the decision to Defra’s Simpler Recycling reforms, which came into place in April this year for businesses with ten or more full-time employees. Companies with fewer than ten employees are due to comply by March 2027.
The cancellation of the service is likely to cause inconvenience for firms that have used it for many years, from shops and restaurants to other businesses. To help prepare for the change, we’ve put together some helpful advice for what local companies need to do next, and how the decision could impact the area.
When will Sevenoaks Council
cease trade waste collections?
All commercial waste collections by Sevenoaks District Council will cease from the 30th of September 2025. No new customers have been accepted since June, but all existing customers should receive their normal service until the end of September (unless notified otherwise).
The decision to stop trade waste collections was made at the council’s cabinet meeting on 12th June 2025. Existing customers should have received notice in late June via a letter that explained the termination of the service.
Why has the service
been cut?
The letter mentions new Simpler Recycling requirements as the reason for cancelling the service. These require businesses with ten or more full-time employees to have separate bins and collections of food waste, paper and cardboard, and dry mixed recycling (glass, plastic, and metal).
The council claims it doesn’t have the facilities locally to offer a full recycling service, so it can’t continue to offer commercial waste collections in Sevenoaks. Find more information about the decision from the meeting agenda and minutes where the decision was made.
What should businesses in Sevenoaks do?
Any business that currently uses Sevenoaks District Council’s commercial waste collection service must find an alternative provider before the end of September 2025. Every business has a legal duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure its commercial waste is removed, transported, and disposed of responsibly by a licensed waste carrier.
This means your business must arrange commercial waste collection by licensed waste carriers to replace the service provided by Sevenoaks District Council. Follow these steps to properly prepare your business for the change:
- Act quickly – it’s a legal requirement for businesses to have their waste removed by licensed waste carriers in the UK. Failure to manage your waste properly could lead to environmental issues, such as pests, and result in legal action.
- Check your business’s legal waste obligations – understand if you need to adhere to Defra’s new Simpler Recycling rules and what changes you should put in place. Consider the size of your business, the number of employees, and what waste types you produce.
- Conduct a waste audit – a waste audit allows you to understand how much waste you generate, what types you create, and where it goes. This helps identify opportunities to reduce costs and spot inefficiencies. An audit is essential to help pick your new waste management provider.
- Consider the provider best for you – consider which provider is best suited to the unique needs of your business. Compare services carefully, look for hidden fees, and opt for those who prioritise sustainability and regulatory compliance.
- Reduce waste where possible – the best way to reduce your waste management costs is to minimise the amount of waste you generate. Consider your options for packaging, what suppliers you work with, any materials you can eliminate, and if you can bring in sustainable waste management practices, such as composting food and organic waste.
How could trade waste collection
cancellations affect Sevenoaks?
Businesses that don’t act before Sevenoaks District Council ceases collections could see missed bin collections, which may lead to a build-up of waste in the local area. This is unsightly and may attract pests like rats and flies too.
Alongside this, the move could lead to desperate attempts to remove rubbish, increasing incidents of fly-tipping. Hopefully, this isn’t something that will occur, but often when councils change rules and regulations, fly-tipping incidents can rise. Changing suppliers before the end of September is vital to prevent such things from happening.
Arrange waste collection in Sevenoaks
At Business Waste, we can provide commercial waste collection in Sevenoaks for companies of any industry and size. This includes daily, weekly, and fortnightly bin collections of any waste type from general waste and food waste to glass recycling, dry mixed recycling, and more.
Save money with free bins for your rubbish with no rental or delivery charges – you only pay for collections. Licensed waste carriers remove all rubbish, and you receive a free duty of care certificate that provides proof and peace of mind that your waste is managed safely, legally, and responsibly.
We can help with a waste audit and advise around Simpler Recycling regulations to ensure your company is compliant where relevant. Find out more about our business waste services in Sevenoaks and get a free quote for collections today – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online.
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