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Recycling Rebates

Reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and lower your commercial waste disposal costs with recycling rebates. Rebate programs provide cash back when you provide a wide range of recyclable materials. Sell cardboard waste, get cash for plastic, and money to recycle aluminium cans and more as part of a rebate program.

Recycling rebate programs encourage responsible waste disposal by businesses of all sizes and industries. They work in different ways but essentially each one provides cash back in one way or another as a great incentive. Recycling is vital to reduce waste, save energy, resources, and materials, minimise pollution, and help protect the environment.

As a business, you can do your bit to increase recycling with the right bins and processes in place, with rebates providing that extra financial help. Find out more about how recycling rebates work and how you can improve your recycling rates and reduce waste disposal costs at the same time.

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What are recycling rebates?

Recycling rebates are programs where customers get money back from waste management companies for providing recyclable rubbish. They’re schemes that offer a financial incentive to encourage businesses to increase their recycling. The amount of money offered depends on the waste type, amount, and terms of the specific recycling rebate program.

Most recycling rebate schemes provide a refund or discount on waste management and disposal costs, while some offer cash for waste. The type and weight of recyclable materials affect the price. Businesses sort and store recyclable rubbish separately, such as cardboard, paper, and plastics, before arranging delivery or collection.

The waste management company will then sort or grade the materials before weighing them. Some may bale the likes of loose cardboard or paper if there’s a lot of it. Depending on the waste type it’s then processed and recycled, turned into new recycled products. The customer will receive a rebate based on the waste type and weight and specific scheme.

There are various types of recycling rebates:

  • Deposit refunds – deposit refund recycling schemes work by businesses paying an amount for a container upfront, which is returned when the container is given back (full of recycling waste). It helps organisations separate and store recycling waste while lowering waste management costs at the same time.
  • Buy-back programs – for certain types of recycling some waste management companies offer a buy-back price for the items, such as aluminium cans and plastic bottles.
  • Cash incentives – many waste management firms offer financial incentives such as a reduction in waste collection and disposal costs or cash back based on the type and weight of recycling provided.

Recycling rebate programs are available in many countries for businesses and individuals. Australia has recycling deposit machines that provide credit for use on public transport, while in Brazil there’s a scheme that offers credit for electricity bills based on recycling specific materials. Colombia also has a green recharging scheme that uses the exchange of recyclable packaging for subway tickets in Medellin.

How to qualify 
for recycling rebates

To qualify for any recycling rebates, you must have the relevant recycling materials stored in a clean and dry condition. The terms depend on the specific scheme, and some may have a minimum weight requirement in place. Loose waste is accepted by many programs, while some may need it to be baled.

Your location can affect the requirements to qualify too. Many recycling rebate schemes run across the UK and each one can have slightly different terms and conditions. At Business Waste, we can advise on the best local recycling rebates near you and provide a waste audit to help you get started.

It’s essential that all recycling is separated into individual streams to avoid contamination. Any other waste types mixed into a load will be removed before it’s weighed and deducted from the rebate price. Everything must be clean and dry to ensure the waste can be recycled and reused.

Many waste management companies accept loose recycling materials for rebates, but some require them to be baled. Using a baler or compactor to condense your recycling waste also reduces waste collection and transportation costs. Fewer collections add to the financial incentives of recycling rebates.

bale of plastic bottles for recycling.

Types of recycling rebates

  • Cardboard recycling rebates

    Sell cardboard boxes, sheets, packaging, and corrugated cardboard in bulk.

    cardboard waste
  • Plastic recycling rebates

    Get money for plastic waste including bottles, bags, and manufacturing waste plastic.

    plastic
  • Paper recycling rebates

    Recycle old newspapers, magazines, brochures, and mixed paper waste to earn money for your business.

    paper
  • Metal recycling rebates

    Sell scrap metal from your business such as aluminium cans, copper wire, cast iron, steel, and other metal waste.

    metal waste

Where to find 
recycling rebates

You can find rebate programs for all sorts of recycling materials across the UK for both commercial and domestic waste. The main places to find recycling rebates are:

  • Waste management companies – many professional waste management firms provide a rebate program for recycling commercial waste, such as Business Waste. Each one may accept different recycling materials and have their own specific requirements in place, such as minimum/maximum weights and prices.
  • Local recycling centres – depending on your location your local household waste recycling centre (HWRC) might provide a rebate for certain types of recyclable waste. Many only accept domestic waste but some could include commercial waste. Check with your local authority.
  • Supermarkets – some supermarkets and other shops offer deposit return schemes or discounts for glass and plastic bottles, or aluminium cans. The UK government plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers from 2025 onwards.

Arrange recycling rebates 
with Business Waste

Recycling rebates benefit businesses of any size and industry. The financial incentive offers extra motivation to separate, store, and recycle all eligible waste responsibly. It can improve your commercial waste recycling efforts, which has a positive environmental impact. And the rebates help lower your commercial waste management and disposal costs.

At Business Waste we can help arrange recycling rebates for your organisation anywhere in the UK. We provide free bins for cost-effective storage and to make separating your recycling easy, with a wide range of bins, bags, and containers available – you just pay for collection. Our experts can advise on the best solution for your needs.

As a waste broker, we work with nationwide companies to find the best rebate prices for your recycling anywhere in the UK. Just let us know the type of recycling waste you produce, an estimate of how much, and where you are, and we’ll provide a free no obligation quote to help you get started.

Contact Business Waste to arrange a recycling rebate or learn more about recycling today – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online.

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Recycling rebate FAQs

  • What are recycling rebates? And how do they work?

    Recycling rebates are financial incentives for businesses and individuals to separate and recycle waste responsibly. They’re a way to get money back when disposing of cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminium, and some other recyclable materials. Rebates encourage and increase recycling rates to reduce rubbish going to landfill.

    The way a recycling rebate works is by arranging the collection or delivery of your recyclable waste. A waste management company will check and sort the waste for processing. It’s then weighed, and the rebate amount is calculated based on the waste type and weight that is recycled. Customers receive the rebate in cash or as a discount on other waste management costs.

  • How can my business benefit from recycling rebates?

    Businesses benefit from recycling rebates as they lower waste management costs. In most cases, you receive cash, a refund, or a discount on waste management costs (such as transportation and disposal). This provides cost-effective waste disposal for your business. Plus, it helps increase your recycling rates to have a positive environmental impact.

    To start benefiting from recycling rebates call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online. We provide free bins to separate and store your recycling waste and a free quote for its collection and rebates based on the waste type, amount, and location.

  • Which types of materials are eligible for recycling rebates?

    Many types of dry mixed recycling are eligible for recycling rebates. They must be separated into their individual streams to avoid contamination. Examples of popular materials eligible for recycling rebates are:

    • Cardboard – boxes, sheets, and corrugated cardboard
    • Paper – all paper grades
    • Plastic – HDPE and PET bottles, LDPE film, pots and tubs, rigid plastics
    • Some metals – aluminium and steel cans
  • How much money can my business save with recycling rebates?

    How much money your business can save with recycling rebates depends on the amount and type of recycling waste you produce and the rebate terms. Recycling rebates normally provide cash, discounts, or refunds on other waste management costs. This can help you save money on collection and disposal costs.

    Recycling your commercial waste also reduces how much landfill tax you pay. Rebates for recycling help businesses save money compared to sending waste to landfill, as well as protecting the environment. At Business Waste we provide free bins, so there are no extra costs for additional bins, bags, and containers to separate and store recycling materials.

  • Are recycling rebates available in my area?

    Recycling rates are available across the UK. We can help businesses based anywhere in the UK arrange recycling rebates. Check with your local authority or council for information about any rebates for domestic recycling.

  • What are the eligibility requirements for recycling rebates?

    Eligibility requirements for recycling rebates vary based on the waste management company. Many places have minimum and maximum weight loads for each type of recycling material. Some also require cardboard, plastic, paper, and aluminium cans to be baled and might not accept loose recycling materials.

    Check the eligibility terms for recycling rebates with the waste management firm or speak to one of our experts for advice – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online.

  • How do I apply for recycling rebates?

    The easiest way to apply for recycling rebates is to get in touch with our expert team at Business Waste – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online. Tell us where you’re based, the type of recycling waste you produce, and an estimate of how much and how often you want it removed.

    We can advise on whether you may be eligible for a recycling rebate and what the next steps are to apply.

  • What is the process for receiving recycling rebates?

    The process to receive a recycling rebate normally follows these steps:

    • Sort and separate your waste into individual recycling streams and store it in relevant bins and containers.
    • Arrange collection of your recycling by licensed waste carriers, who transport it to the waste management company’s premises.
    • The recycling waste is checked and sorted by type and grade. This is then weighed, and a rebate amount is calculated based on its weight and market value.
    • The materials are processed, turned into raw materials, and used to create new products.
    • You then receive the rebate amount either as cash or a discount on your waste disposal and management costs, with relevant receipts and documentation.
  • Can my business participate in multiple recycling rebate programs at once?

    Businesses can apply for recycling rebates for more than one type of recycling at once. For example, if you have separate bales of cardboard and plastic waste to recycle you can arrange collection and apply for rebates for both. The rebate amount will differ based on the different weights and market values of the materials.

  • How long does it typically take to receive recycling rebates?

    How long it takes to receive recycling rebates depends on the waste management or recycling company you use and how you get a rebate. Typically, if the rebate is a discount on your waste disposal costs then it can be applied faster. For any recycling rebates received as cash back, it may take a little longer.

  • Can charities and non-profit organisations participate in recycling rebate programs?

    Any waste charities and non-profit organisations produce is a type of commercial waste. It must therefore be removed by licensed waste carriers and treated as commercial waste. This means if your charity or organisation creates cardboard, paper, plastic, and other recycling waste then you could be eligible for recycling rebates.

    The process of applying for and receiving a recycling rebate is the same as for any other business. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online to discuss getting your charity or non-profit organisation involved in a recycling rebate program anywhere in the UK.

  • How do recycling rebates benefit the environment?

    Recycling rebates benefit the environment as they:

    • Encourage businesses to separate their waste and increase recycling levels.
    • Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by improving recycling rates. This lowers methane and carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change.
    • Minimise the energy and raw materials required to make new products by creating fresh ones from recycled materials.
    • Cut fuel usage and the emissions this produces as less transportation is needed when baling cardboard, paper, plastics, and aluminium for recycling rebate programs.
    • Provide a financial incentive for waste management and recycling companies to promote rebate programs.
  • Can recycling rebates help my business reduce waste and become more sustainable?

    Recycling rebates are designed to encourage businesses to recycle as much commercial waste as possible. They help companies think about their waste management strategy and ways to ensure recycling materials are separated from general waste and non-recyclable materials. Recycling commercial waste ensures your business operates more sustainably.

    While rebates help businesses recycle and become more sustainable, they don’t reduce commercial waste. It’s up to you to put in place an effective waste management strategy to cut waste at the point of production. Get started with help building an effective waste management plan with Business Waste.

  • What is the role of recycling companies in offering rebates?

    Recycling companies offer rebates by accepting commercial waste from businesses and organisations – either via collection or delivery. They use professional machinery and teams to check and sort waste, ensuring only eligible recycling materials are processed and recycled. Then they weigh each type of recycling provided and assign a rebate price based on this weight and the material’s market value.

    Your business receives the rebate. The recycling company then uses their professional machinery and processes to recycle the waste – or sends it to a waste management centre for processing. The recycled materials are sold to manufacturers to use to make new products, and the recycling company makes a profit at this point.

  • Can recycling rebates help my business attract eco-conscious customers?

    Using recycling rebates for your business improves your recycling rates, which will appeal to eco-conscious customers. Today, more consumers are interested in what happens to waste and how companies they use and buy from have an impact on the environment. Recycling rebates help businesses operate more sustainably.

    To benefit from recycling rebates, you must improve your commercial recycling. This can be communicated to customers through your advertising and marketing channels. It will help attract eco-conscious customers as it shows your business is doing its bit to help protect the planet.

  • Are there any disadvantages to participating in recycling rebate programs?

    Recycling rubbish and getting cash back for it is a sustainable option. However, there are a few disadvantages to recycling rebate programs:

    • They encourage recycling but not reducing waste. Reusing and reducing waste uses less energy and is better for the environment than recycling.
    • You need enough space to store your recycling before its removal. Some rebates require waste to be baled, which means you need room for a baler or must pay extra for the service.
    • Inefficient waste storage may result in contamination, which can affect an entire load and reduce the rebate amount you receive.

    Learn about the advantages of recycling

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Get a fast and free quote

Get a fast and free quote for recycling rebates

  • Free quote within 1 hr
  • Any type of recycling
  • FREE bins and delivery
  • We cover all of the UK