Opening a New Business? 10 Tips to Get Your Bins Right

Opening a new business is exciting - new premises, new customers, new branding, new processes… but one thing many business owners forget to plan for is their commercial waste.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. From choosing the right commercial wheelie bins to arranging reliable collections, waste management is one of those behind-the-scenes systems that keep your business running smoothly.

And if you don’t get it right early on, it can quickly become expensive, messy, and time-consuming.

So let’s break down why waste should be at the top of your list when launching a business - and the 10 practical steps every new business owner should follow.

Why Your Waste Should Be a Priority When Opening a New Business

1. It’s a legal requirement.

Every business in the UK - no matter how small - must have a formal commercial waste contract. You can’t legally dispose of business waste using domestic bins or household recycling centres.

2. Incorrect bin setup leads to higher costs.

If you choose the wrong size or wrong collection frequency, you’ll either overpay…or end up with overflowing bins and urgent extra lifts.

3. Clean, well-managed waste builds trust.

Customers notice overflowing bins, bad smells and litter blowing across your site. Your waste system is part of your brand - especially in hospitality, retail, food, beauty, education and property.

4. It keeps your team safe and compliant.

Proper disposal means fewer hazards, less contamination and a safer working environment.

5. A reliable waste partner saves time and stress.

You want to focus on running your business - not chasing missed collections or overfilled bins.

10 Tips to Get Your Commercial Waste Right From Day One

1. Choose the right commercial wheelie bins for your new business

Your bin sizes should reflect:

• your industry,

• your waste streams

• and your expected footfall.

Most new businesses choose:

• 240L or 360L bins for smaller premises

• 660L or 1100L bins for medium–high volumes

✔ Tip: Marshalls can advise exactly what size you need — and we supply the bins directly.

2. Separate your waste streams early

A clean setup makes everything easier.

Think about:

• General waste

• Mixed recycling

• Cardboard

• Food waste

• Glass

• Construction/plasterboard (if relevant)

Correct separation reduces your costs and helps the environment.

3. Pick a collection schedule that matches your footfall

Over-collection = wasted money.Under-collection = overflowing bins.

New businesses often increase collections in the first 6–12 weeks once they understand their patterns.

4. Make sure your bins are easily accessible

Collectors need:

• Clear access

• Safe pathways

• Sufficient space for manoeuvring

This reduces missed or delayed collections.

5. Think about hygiene from the start

Dirty bins create smells, pests and complaints.

That’s why many Marshalls customers now use our partner Bin Refresh for bin cleaning - a simple add-on that keeps everything fresh and compliant.

6. Train your team on what goes where

Simple signage prevents:

• contamination fees

• failed recycling

• overflowing general waste

We can even supply posters for your team.

7. Keep records of all waste contracts

You’re legally required to keep:

• waste transfer notes

• collection records

• duty of care documents
  

These are essential if the council or Environment Agency ever ask.

8. Review your waste regularly

As your business grows, your waste output will change. A quick review every quarter helps you adapt bin sizes and collections.

9. Use a local waste provider (it really does make a difference)

Local companies like Marshalls offer:

• faster response times

• flexible collections

• direct contact with decision-makers

• better support when issues arise

You’re not just a number in a national call centre queue.

10. Choose a waste partner who actually cares about your business

When you’re starting up, you need:

✔ Reliability

✔ Transparency

✔ Fair pricing

✔ Flexibility

✔ Advice when you need it

That’s exactly what we provide at Marshalls.

How Marshalls Supports New Businesses

Whether you’re opening a café, salon, shop, office, warehouse or industrial site, we can help you get set up properly from day one.

We provide:

• Commercial wheelie bins

• Flexible collection schedules

• Household + business waste clearances

• Support for new business owners

• A 24-hour collection guarantee (where needed)

• Partnership options like bin cleaning via Bin Refresh

• Clear, honest pricing

No long waits. No hidden fees. No stress.

Opening a New Business? Let’s Get Your Waste Sorted.

If you’re launching a new venture, your waste setup should be one of the first systems you get right.

A clean, reliable and compliant waste service means you can focus on the exciting part - actually growing your business.

📞 Contact Marshalls today on info@marshallswaste.co.uk for advice, bin supply and local collections tailored to your new business.