TV and Film Production Waste
Business Waste arranges waste collections for TV and film productions, studios and location shoots across the UK.
We provide bins and collections for day-to-day food, packaging, and residual waste, as well as larger production streams such as set materials, props, costumes, WEEE, and end-of-shoot clearances.
Tell us your production location, shooting schedule, main waste streams, and expected volumes, and we’ll help confirm suitable containers and collections for the project.
Get a quote for TV and film production waste
Get a fast FREE quote for your TV and film waste
- Free quote within 1 hour
- Bins and containers for studios and location shoots
- Ongoing and end-of-production collections
- Waste Transfer Notes at no extra charge
Waste services for TV and film productions
We can build the service around your production schedule, locations and the waste produced on set. This can include:
- Routine on-set collections for food waste, residual waste, cardboard and agreed recycling streams.
- Production waste collections for suitable props, scenery, timber, textiles, packaging and other set materials.
- Specialist collections where required for WEEE, batteries and other agreed production waste.
- End-of-shoot clearances for sets, studios, temporary production spaces and unit bases.
- Bins and larger containers matched to your site, from wheelie bins and bags to larger options for bulkier waste where suitable.
- Eligible standard bins without separate rental or delivery charges, subject to the containers and service required.
- Waste Transfer Notes at no extra charge for eligible non-hazardous collections.
How does film and TV set waste collection work?
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Tell us about the production
Provide the studio or location postcode, filming dates, main waste streams and expected volumes.
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We confirm suitable containers
We’ll recommend bins or larger containers based on the waste produced, available space and vehicle access.
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Separate waste on set
Keep food, recycling, residual waste and any specialist production streams in their agreed containers.
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We arrange collections
Collections can be scheduled around the shoot, with additional exchanges or one-off removals where required.
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Clear the site at wrap
End-of-production collections can be arranged for agreed set materials, props and other accumulated waste.
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Efficient communication
We have worked alongside Business Waste for quite a few months now, and their efficiency with communication and resolving queries is great. Allie especially is a pleasure to liaise with. Great company from a B2B perspective
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The real definition of service
The service received was simply outstanding. Business Waste gave good advice and a demonstration of a willingness to help and get me a solution.
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Great company
Great company to deal with, special thanks to Danielle who is always on the ball and sort any issues out instantly with proactive involvement with follow up phone calls and emails. I would recommend her to be the next PM to get things done, oh and as a company to deal with all the waste needs for your business.
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I was impressed by the speed of setting up the service. I made a single phone call to Business Waste and all the necessary paperwork was done efficiently.
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Types of film and TV set waste
Film and TV sets create a wide range of waste that varies in quantity and type depending on the nature of the production.
Some of the common waste types generated on film and TV sets include:
- Food waste: kitchen waste such as expired ingredients and waste food from the catering company or studio canteen.
- Textile waste: used and damaged clothing, costumes, curtains, and other textiles.
- WEEE: waste electronics including broken cameras and lights, used batteries, and other items.
- Dry mixed recycling: cardboard, paper, plastic, metal and glass should be separated according to the agreed collection setup.
- General waste: non-recyclable materials that do not belong in the food, recycling or specialist production streams.
- Cardboard recycling: packaging and storage boxes that are no longer needed.
- Hazardous waste: certain paints, solvents, chemicals, or aerosols may need separate classification and collection.
- Wood waste: props and parts of the set that are damaged or broken.
- Sanitary waste: every bathroom in the studio and on site must have sanitary waste bins that are emptied regularly.
Collections around your production schedule
Running a film or TV production company, studio, and set isn’t a rigid 9 to 5. Shooting schedules vary and no day is the same, so we understand that your waste management requirements will also fluctuate. Putting together a tailored and efficient waste management plan for your waste is important.
Collections can be scheduled around filming dates, crew size, catering volumes and available storage, with ad hoc removals or container exchanges added where needed. Food-waste capacity and collection frequency should be sufficient to avoid overflowing containers, odours and hygiene problems.
Bins and containers for TV and film productions
Bins must be the right size to suit the space and store rubbish without overflowing. Some sites may have room for large containers like rear and front end loaders, while others rely on wheelie bins.
We can provide free bins of many types and sizes for your permanent movie or TV studio or for when filming on location. Explore some common bins used by film and TV production companies:
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240 litre wheelie bins
Suitable for lower-volume food, glass, residual or agreed recycling streams depending on the collection setup.
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1100 litre wheelie bins
Suitable for higher-volume residual waste or agreed dry recycling streams where appropriate.
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Commercial waste bags
Enjoy the convenience of storing small amounts of light waste during filming.
What happens to waste from film and TV sets?
The route depends on the material and its condition. Suitable cardboard, metals, plastics, glass and clean timber can follow recycling routes, while food waste is collected separately for appropriate biological treatment.
Reusable props, costumes and set materials can be retained or redistributed before they become waste. WEEE, batteries and hazardous production materials require separate specialist routes.
General waste follows the recovery or disposal route available for the collection.
How to reduce film and TV waste
A few actions you can take to reduce waste across your film or TV sets are to:
- Reuse props, costumes and set materials where practical
- Avoid over-ordering consumables and catering
- Provide clearly labelled waste stations
- Use rechargeable equipment batteries where suitable
Arrange TV and film production waste collection
Arrange waste collections for a studio, location shoot or production anywhere in the UK.
Tell us your filming dates, main waste streams, estimated volumes and site-access requirements. We can arrange routine collections during production and one-off removals when the set is cleared.
Waste Transfer Notes are included at no additional charge for eligible non-hazardous collections.
Get a quote for TV and film production waste
Get a fast FREE quote for your TV and film waste
- Free quote within 1 hour
- Bins and containers for studios and location shoots
- Ongoing and end-of-production collections
- Waste Transfer Notes at no extra charge
Published 18th March 2024 by Mark Hall. Last modified 23rd October 2026