Halloween is one of the most celebrated and commercialised events of the year, with pumpkins taking centre stage in homes, businesses, and communities across the UK. In recent years, the popularity of pumpkins has skyrocketed. They adorn homes, restaurants, shops, offices, and outdoor spaces, with millions of people carving jack-o’-lanterns or using pumpkins as festive décor. 

However, the rise of pumpkin popularity has a darker side—pumpkin waste. After the Halloween festivities, many pumpkins end up in landfill, releasing the harmful greenhouse gas known as methane. This problem isn’t just limited to homes but also extends to the commercial sector, where businesses use large quantities of pumpkins in displays and decorations. 

Read on to discover how your company can reduce food waste, mitigate environmental damage, and even turn pumpkins into a sustainable asset.

The rise of pumpkins across all sectors

The cultural importance of pumpkins during Halloween is undeniable. Carved pumpkins have moved beyond personal use in homes and are now a staple of corporate, hospitality, and retail décor during the autumn months. From giant pumpkin installations in shopping centres to autumnal-themed restaurant menus, pumpkins have a strong presence in commercial spaces.

However, once Halloween is over and the autumn decorations come down, the fate of these pumpkins can be wasteful, as many businesses fail to dispose of them properly. This contributes to an already significant problem of organic waste in landfills. As businesses embrace seasonal trends like Halloween, there’s a growing responsibility to manage the environmental consequences that come with it.

The commercial side of pumpkin waste

Whilst it is possible for households to put pumpkins in their garden waste or compost bins, businesses tend to deal with much larger quantities, especially when decorating for the season. The retail and hospitality sectors are two of the biggest contributors to commercial pumpkin waste. Shopping centres, restaurants, cafés, and hotels often purchase large numbers of pumpkins to create festive displays, drawing customers in with their autumnal charm.

But what happens to pumpkin waste once Halloween is over? Unfortunately, many businesses dispose of them without a second thought, often sending them to landfills where they contribute to methane emissions. Pumpkins are organic matter, and when they decompose in landfills without proper oxygen, they release methane gas; a greenhouse gas that’s 20 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. 

The importance of responsible pumpkin disposal for businesses

Responsible disposal of pumpkin waste is important for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Businesses can reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill by investing in professional waste management services, such as those provided by us at McCarthy Marland, to ensure pumpkins are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

We offer bespoke waste management services tailored to commercial needs, including food waste bins designed specifically for organic materials like pumpkins. By placing leftover pumpkins in designated food waste bins, this matter is composted or processed into bioenergy, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. These responsible waste practices help reduce your business’ environmental footprint, as well as aligning with modern consumer expectations for sustainable practices.

Sustainable pumpkin waste solutions for commercial enterprises

At McCarthy Marland, we specialise in helping businesses implement sustainable waste management strategies that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible. Seasonal events like Halloween lead to an increase in waste, but businesses can minimise their impact with the right approach. From food waste bins to tailored recycling solutions, we work with companies to ensure their seasonal waste—whether from pumpkins or other organic materials—is disposed of responsibly.

This Halloween, let’s celebrate with a focus on sustainability, ensuring that pumpkins contribute to a greener future rather than ending up in landfills. Get in touch today to arrange your business’ food waste collections.

Food waste in schools is a significant environmental issue which requires immediate action. Thousands upon thousands of meals are served every day across educational institutions, leading to excess leftovers and food waste. This causes serious harm to both the environment and the economy. But how can we effectively recycle and reduce food wastage in schools?

We share some practical solutions for managing and recycling the amount of school food waste below…

Why is school food waste a problem?

Reports show that over 80,000 tonnes of food waste is generated across England’s primary and secondary schools every year. Schools are responsible for producing 13% of England’s non-domestic food waste, costing the economy a staggering £250m. The majority of school food waste ends up in landfill, where it produces harmful greenhouse gases such as methane. This has a significant impact on global warming, causing irreversible damage to our climate, environment and human health.

How to raise awareness on food waste in schools

Monitor food waste

The first step to reducing food waste is to monitor which types of food are wasted the most. Collect and weigh all food waste produced within the school cafeteria, classrooms, staff room and playground within a set period to determine which food options are unpopular and disliked by students. This will help you make smarter choices about which foods can continue to be served, and which meals need altering.

Involve the students

One easy way to prevent food waste in schools is by encouraging students to share their ideas. Engage your students by conducting fun taste testing sessions, putting on cooking classes, letting them vote on menu choices and holding competitions to name menu items. By involving students in the process, schools can create menus that students will be more likely to enjoy, leading to less food wastage in the long term. 

Create a smart menu 

Once you’ve completed the initial food waste audit and have asked your students for their ideas, you can begin to compile a smart menu that will inspire and excite your pupils. We recommend being clever about your choice of ingredients and using them in multiple dishes throughout the school week. You could also offer customisable menu options, so that students can remove any elements they won’t enjoy i.e. side salad.

Cook to order

Another way to reduce food waste in schools is by cooking meals to order. Students can choose their meals in advance, either at the beginning of the week or the beginning of the day. This will allow your catering team to plan portions better and only order the required ingredients, leading to minimal kitchen wastage. Plus, meals cooked to order will be much fresher and tastier, meaning your students will enjoy them more. 

Faster queues

When students are required to queue for a long time, they will have less time to eat their food and will be more likely to waste items. Students at the end of the queue will also have less menu options to choose from, leading to unwanted food choices that will end up in the bin. Allowing your students to pre-order their meals will help to speed up cafeteria queues, ensuring that each child can savour their food before the school bell rings.

Portion control

Providing appropriate portion sizes can significantly reduce food wastage levels. This will help ensure that students receive enough food to satisfy their hunger, without producing excess leftovers. You could offer all students smaller portions and give them the opportunity to ask for more, or you could allow each individual to select their portion based on the different meal sizes available.

Staggered lunch periods

One of the main reasons why school food waste occurs is because students don’t have enough time to finish their lunch. Try staggering the lunch breaks and making each slot longer, with younger students eating earlier than their older peers. As well as giving pupils enough time to enjoy their food, staggering your lunch slots will ensure that the cafeteria is quieter and more pleasant to eat in.

Composting scheme

If your school does not yet have a composting scheme, now is the perfect time to introduce one.  Encourage students and staff members to help divert food scraps from landfills and create valuable soil for school gardens via composting. Getting children involved in composting will teach them how to sustainably manage waste, with the resulting compost being used to grow more fruits and vegetables.

Sustainable waste management solutions for schools

Choose McCarthy Marland’s comprehensive range of food waste collection bins, as well as glass and non-recyclable waste bins, as part of your school’s waste management services. 

Our services are designed to help educational institutions maintain a clean, healthy, and eco-friendly environment. Our food waste bins for schools help staff to segregate and manage waste effectively, whilst our flexible school waste collection schedules cause minimal disruption to the school day. All food waste collected by McCarthy Marland is processed through an anaerobic digestion facility, with the gas produced from the process being used to operate our food waste collection vehicles. 

Get in touch today to arrange a waste management assessment for your school.

Hardcore waste is a key contributor to landfill sites, causing significant harm to the world around us. Hardcore materials can be heavy, bulky and difficult to dispose of conventionally. 

It’s vitally important to ensure that your hardcore waste is recycled in a legally compliant and environmentally friendly manner. That way, you’ll avoid landfill fees and hefty fines, as well as future-proofing our planet for generations to come.

So, what is hardcore waste and what does recycling your hardcore waste involve? We explore all things hardcore waste below…

What is hardcore waste?

Hardcore waste refers to the solid, dense aggregates that are produced within construction, renovation and demolition projects. This type of waste is often used to create solid bases for load-bearing flooring, for example driveways and garage floors. Materials can include:

• Concrete
• Bricks
• Rubble
• Stones
• Shingle / gravel
• Ceramics
• Tiles
• Quarry waste

How is hardcore waste recycled?

Recycling hardcore waste involves sorting waste into distinct categories (i.e. concrete, metal, wood) and sending it to a suitable recycling facility. Recycled crushed concrete can be used for roads, bricks can be reused in future projects, and metals can be melted down and turned into new products.

As an experienced hardcore skip hire company, McCarthy Marland will collect and transport your construction waste to one of our dedicated recycling centres. We will sort all hardcore waste material on your behalf, ensuring it is correctly screened and processed, before being recycled into aggregates that can be reused over and over again.

The benefits of recycling hardcore waste

There are several benefits to recycling hardcore material. It helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, as well as conserving natural resources by minimising the production of new materials. 

Recycling hardcore waste is a more cost-effective method of waste disposal. This is because processing recycling materials costs less than processing virgin materials. You’ll also make significant savings on potential landfill fees, which can be extortionate!

Can hardcore waste go in a skip?

Most construction waste such as hardcore rubble, bricks, rock and stone can be put into a skip or low sided roll-on roll-off skip. If you choose to hire a skip through McCarthy Marland, there are certain items which may carry additional charges when put in a skip. These are:

• Asbestos
• Plasterboard
• Tyres

With various sizes available, from 2 yard mini skips all the way up to 12 yard skips, hiring a skip is usually one of the cheapest ways to dispose of hardcore. Before you go ahead and hire a skip, you’ll need to first consider where the skip is likely to be placed. You may require a skip permit if your skip is going to be placed on or around private land. We can help advise on skip permits and submit the paperwork on your behalf, if required.

Reliable hardcore waste management from McCarthy Marland

Seeking a reliable waste management company to take care of your hardcore waste? McCarthy Marland offers professional hardcore waste removal services for all manner of construction projects, including hardcore skip hire and the supply of recycled hardcore materials. Get in touch today to enquire about the removal of your hardcore waste.

Waste is an inevitable byproduct in all construction projects, no matter how big or small. From offcuts and packaging to demolished materials, the industry generates a staggering amount of waste. In fact, the construction industry is responsible for producing approximately 40% of the world’s waste and is one of the biggest drains on the earth’s natural resources. 

Effective waste management not only reduces the environmental impact of construction projects, but also contributes to a circular economy where materials are continuously reused. We explore the importance of construction waste management and share practical strategies for managing and reducing waste on your site.

Methods for reducing construction waste

Create a Site Waste Management Plan

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) are valuable tools for construction projects, designed to efficiently manage and reduce waste generated on-site. While not legally required, SWMPs offer a structured approach to identifying your waste streams, tracking waste quantities, and implementing recycling and disposal strategies. Through effective planning, your construction company can minimise waste, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. 

Order the correct amount of construction materials

Many construction companies are guilty of over-ordering materials, which is one of the key contributors to construction waste. It may be tempting to order slightly more materials than needed to account for any oversights, but you should always take the time to calculate the exact amount of materials required for your project. Building material suppliers can provide accurate material estimates, with some even offering to take back any unused materials.

Recycle your construction waste materials

By recycling materials such as concrete, metal, and wood, you not only divert waste from landfills, but also conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of your project. Recycling also reduces the need for raw material extraction, which can have significant environmental consequences.

Many construction projects now aim for high recycling rates, with some achieving over 90% diversion from landfill. To maximise the sustainability of your site, work with a waste management company that offers comprehensive recycling services tailored to the construction industry, such as McCarthy Marland.

Which construction materials can be recycled?

Plasterboard recycling

McCarthy Marland’s plasterboard recycling services handle clean, segregated plasterboard waste, ensuring it is effectively processed for reuse and recycling. We can dispose of all plasterboard types, including demolition plasterboard, off-cuts from construction, and manufacturing excess materials.

Wood recycling

Wood recycling transforms old or unused timber into valuable resources, promoting sustainability in construction. We accept a wide range of wood for recycling, including pallets, demolition timber, fencing, window frames, furniture and off-cuts from construction. All wood is graded and processed into wood chips, before being recycled into chipboard or biomass fuel.

Scrap metal recycling

Scrap metal recycling involves the recycling of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, reintroducing them back into the manufacturing cycle. Our specialist machinery is able to extract both small and large pieces of scrap metal from construction sites, before being bulked up for recycling.

Rubble recycling

Rubble recycling processes materials from construction sites into aggregates for future use in new projects. We collect stone, hardcore, bricks, concrete, block work, demolition stone, paving slabs, tiles and ceramics from construction projects, removing any potential contaminants before it is crushed for recycling.

Types of construction waste collections 

McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of construction waste collections to match all project requirements, helping businesses of all sizes to work efficiently and cleanly, no matter the scale. Below are just a few of the options available to you and your business:

Skip hire

We provide various types of skips, including open-top, enclosed, roll-on roll-off (RoRo), and drop-door skips. Each skip comes in a range of sizes, suitable for any construction job requirement. All our skips are delivered and collected promptly, with some locations even offering same-day delivery.

Grab hire

Grab lorries are ideal for collecting large volumes of waste from excavations, including soil, rubble, and aggregates. Our grab lorries provide a practical solution for extracting waste from areas with access issues, offering same day removal of waste for up to 12 tonnes in a single load.

Asbestos collection

Specialist asbestos skip hire ensures the safe collection and disposal of asbestos-containing materials, adhering to strict safety regulations. We can collect all manner of asbestos waste using a variety of skips and roll-on roll-off containers, before being transported to a fully licensed asbestos disposal facility.

Recycle your construction waste with McCarthy Marland

Searching for a new construction waste recycling partner? McCarthy Marland’s comprehensive range of construction waste management services can help reduce the environmental impact of your construction projects, as well as minimising project management stresses. Contact us today to discover more about our construction waste management services.

Managing commercial waste is a crucial aspect of running any business; whether it be a large-scale construction site or an independent coffee shop. Incorrectly disposing of commercial waste can be incredibly taxing to the environment and your wallet, resulting in potential hefty fines and legal consequences. 

In this article, we delve into the different types of business waste and your responsibilities for waste disposal. We also discuss why McCarthy Marland should be your number one choice for commercial waste recycling…

What is commercial waste?

Commercial waste is defined as any material that needs to be disposed of from commercial operations. This also applies to any waste generated from running home-based businesses. Studies show that businesses produce nearly double the amount of waste that households create. 

Whether you need to dispose of excess food, paper packaging or reusable plastics, it’s vitally important to manage all commercial waste products in a legally compliant and environmentally-friendly manner.  

Here at McCarthy Marland, we can manage all types of waste material, including:

• General waste
• Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR)
• Food waste
• Paper waste
• Glass waste
• Hazardous waste
• WEEE waste

Business responsibilities for managing waste

When it comes to commercial waste disposal, there are certain regulations that your business must follow. These include the following:

• You are legally responsible for keeping business waste to a minimum, as well as implementing commercial waste reduction and recycling initiatives 
• You are required to sort all commercial waste safely, with every product securely stored in a clearly labelled container
• If you wish to dispose of your own commercial waste, you will need an up-to-date waste carrier’s licence, with a completed waste transfer note for each load of waste
• If you hire a commercial waste management company, you are responsible for ensuring they have their own waste carrier’s licence
• There are extra guidelines you must follow when disposing of hazardous waste – read more via the official UK Government website

The benefits of hiring a commercial waste recycling company

Compliance with waste regulations

One of the key benefits of hiring a commercial waste recycling company is ensuring compliance with government regulations. Environmental regulations regarding waste disposal can be complex, and vary greatly depending on the amount and type of commercial waste produced. Waste management companies such as McCarthy Marland will ensure that all commercial waste is disposed of correctly, minimising any potential fines or penalties.

Save time and resources

Managing your commercial waste in-house is a time and resource heavy task, distracting staff from your essential business operations. You may also need to invest in waste management training and access to recycling equipment. By partnering with a professional commercial waste and recycling provider, you can free up valuable time and resources, allowing you to focus on the daily running of your business.

Cost effective waste solution

Did you know that hiring expert waste management can actually save you money in the long run? McCarthy Marland offers a number of commercial waste management services all under one roof, including the supply of waste containers (i.e. wheelie bins, skips or RoRo skips), waste collection services, and disposal at one of our designated waste recycling centres. This is a more cost-effective solution than managing all these elements yourself.

Kind to the environment

Choosing an environmentally-friendly commercial waste recycling partner can help your business reduce its carbon footprint. We will segregate all your business waste and divert as much from landfill as possible, achieving recycling rates in excess of 90% across all our waste recycling centres. Recycling your commercial waste will future proof our planet for generations to come, boosting your eco-credentials.

Improved business reputation

In today’s eco-conscious world, more and more consumers are looking to partner with environmentally responsible businesses. By hiring a professional commercial waste recycling company, you can enhance your business’ overall reputation and create sustainable relationships with like-minded individuals. This could potentially lead to an increase in sales and profitability – win-win!

McCarthy Marland’s innovative commercial waste solutions

McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of commercial waste recycling services to suit all business needs. Available in sizes ranging from 2 yards all the way up to 12 yards, our skip hire is the ideal choice for premises that require reliable solutions for large-scale waste disposal. If your business produces more than 12 yards of waste in a short time period, a RoRo skip may be more suitable, as they can be made much larger than traditional skips.

Our grab lorries offer a versatile alternative to skips, allowing us to remove large quantities of waste from construction sites. Businesses who generate a substantial amount of dry packaging often opt for our compaction systems, due to their efficient and portable nature. We also provide a variety of wheelie bins from 240L up to 1100L, designed to handle all kinds of commercial waste streams. 

Contact us today for more information or to arrange a commercial waste management consultation.

Wood is an invaluable resource that can be recycled to produce a wide range of products – from furniture to animal bedding, and everything in between. However, this growing demand for wood production has led to the depletion of our forests, causing a devastating impact on the planet. 

The good news is that it’s now easier than ever to recycle unwanted materials, including wood. Discover all about what constitutes “wood waste” and the process involved in recycling wood with our handy guide below.

Is wood recyclable?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked here at McCarthy Marland. Yes, wood can be recycled! Since it’s grown organically, “clean” wood is able to naturally decompose or can be reused to create other products; for example plasterboard for construction work or pulp for producing paper. Alternatively, scrap wood can be burned to produce biomass (a renewable energy source).

However, some wood is not recyclable, depending on which grade it falls into. More on that below…

Can you put wood in the recycling bin?

Wood waste is not accepted in your general household recycling bin. However, your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will gladly take your wood for recycling. Many waste management companies, such as McCarthy Marland, will collect any waste wood from your premises and process this for recycling on your behalf.

What is waste wood?

Waste wood refers to any wood-based products that are no longer needed. This waste can be grouped into one of four classifications:

• Grade A: “Clean” wood. This is non-processed, uncontaminated wood from pallets, crates and packaging waste. It is highly recyclable and can be used to produce chipboard, animal bedding, or biomass fuel.
• Grade B: Industrial feedstock. This includes all materials within grade A, plus waste from construction or demolition sites. Grade B wood waste can be recycled to make panelboard.
• Grade C: Fuel grade. Wood waste from chipboard or fibreboard that has been mixed with other materials such as plastic or glass falls into this category. It can then be recycled into wood pellets or burned to produce biomass.
• Grade D: Hazardous waste. Dark-looking treated wood that has been contaminated with creosote or chlorophenols, such as fencing and trackwork, is classed as hazardous. This type of wood cannot be recycled and requires waste disposal at a specialist facility.

How is wood recycled?

Wood recycling involves collecting wood waste and processing it into new materials. When scrap wood is collected, it is taken to a recycling plant and separated into categories. This is then processed to extract potential contaminants, such as nails or metal. The newly processed wood is placed in a wood shredder and broken down into smaller pieces. 

Larger pieces of recycled wood can then be reused to make furniture, whilst smaller fibres may be used to produce animal bedding.

The benefits of wood recycling

Protect the environment

By choosing to reuse recycled materials within your construction or demolition project, you’ll help to protect our forests from further damage. Less trees will need to be cut down, which are vital in producing all-important carbon dioxide.

Reduce waste sent to landfill

Recycling your scrap wood equals less waste sent to landfill. This allows you to cut down on hefty landfill taxes, make more space in your regular waste bins, and prevents an unsustainable approach to construction waste management.

Prevent fire risks

Piles of wood waste can present a fire hazard. Free up space and lower the risk of a fire breaking out on your land by taking your wood waste to an experienced waste collection or skip hire company.

Improve your reputation

Many modern consumers now look to partner with companies who openly adhere to green practices. Showing that you engage in wood recycling practices will help improve your business’ reputation, leading to a potential increase in customers.

Recycle your scrap wood with McCarthy Marland

Do you expect to produce excess amounts of wood waste within your upcoming construction or demolition project? McCarthy Marland accepts a wide variety of wood waste including pallets, timber, fencing, furniture and wood off-cuts. We offer a range of skips and container sizes to transport your wood waste to one of our transfer stations, before being recycled into chipboard or biomass fuel. Contact us to find out more about our reliable wood recycling services.

Commercial wheelie bin hire is a cost-effective choice for many business owners who wish to streamline their waste management processes. Whether you’re managing a small bistro or a large multi-project construction site, selecting the right size and type of bin will keep your site clean and compliant with regulations. 

In today’s blog, we share how to choose the right bin for your business and best practices for commercial wheelie bin hire, so you can ensure that your hard-earned cash doesn’t go to ‘waste’…

Why hire a commercial wheelie bin?

Commercial wheelie bins are ideal for collecting various materials such as general non recoverable waste, dry mixed recyclables, glass and food waste. Their robust construction makes them sturdy enough to reliably store your waste, whilst their wheels and lids allow them to be transported and placed both indoors and outdoors. What’s more, they can also help improve your business’ recycling rates, boosting your eco-credentials. 

How to select the right commercial wheelie bins for your business

Types of waste

Before hiring a commercial wheelie bin, you need to determine which kinds of waste your business generates. Materials such as cardboard, paper, food and glasses can all be recycled, whereas items made from non-recyclable plastics, metals and polystyrene are all classed as general waste. It’s important to note that if your project is expected to produce hazardous waste, this is not suitable for commercial wheelie bin collection and must instead be disposed of at a specialist facility.

Once you’ve established the types of waste your business needs to dispose of, you can then select the correct bins. McCarthy Marland provides the following types of commercial wheelie bins for hire:

• Our general waste service is ideal for all non recoverable and recyclable waste.
• Dry mixed recycling & recovery bins. Our dry mixed recycling service is suitable for all recoverable and recyclable waste disposal, excluding food and glass waste. 
• Food waste recycling bins. Our environmentally-friendly food waste wheelie bins ensure that all food is recycled, minimising the amount of waste sent to landfill.
• Glass recycling bins. We offer dedicated commercial waste bins specifically for glass, allowing us to directly segregate glass bottles upon collection.

Size of wheelie bins

Choosing the right commercial wheelie bin size will help your business save money and maximise space, whilst ensuring your bins aren’t constantly overflowing and producing unpleasant smells. Your ideal bin size should equal your predicted waste output, so we recommend closely monitoring your waste production over a typical week to assess the volume of waste. 

McCarthy Marland offers a whole host of commercial bin sizes to suit your business needs. These include:

• 240 litre wheelie bins. Our 240L bins can comfortably accommodate between 3-5 bin bags, making them suitable for businesses that generate a limited amount of waste. Due to their smaller size, these bins are ideal for premises with tight spaces that require frequent collection services.  
• 360 litre wheelie bins.  Our 360L bins can house between 6-8 bin bags of waste, making them the ideal choice for small businesses that produce a moderate amount of waste. 
• 660 litre wheelie bins. Our 660L bins are perfect for mid-to-large businesses, with the ability to handle between 8-10 bin bags of waste. Factories, hotels and shopping centres that generate a moderate amount of waste may benefit from commercial wheelie bins of this size.
• 1100 litre wheelie bins. This is our largest wheelie bin size, suitable for bigger enterprises who generate a substantial amount of waste. Our 1100L large wheelie bins can hold the equivalent of 15-18 bin bags, making them ideal for restaurants, industrial estates and communal office areas.

Read our previous blog post for more advice on how to choose the perfect wheelie bin size.

Best practices for using a commercial wheelie bin

Bin placement

Once you’ve chosen the correct types and sizes of commercial wheelie bins for your business, you’ll need to think about their positioning. They should be placed in locations that are easy to access, with sufficient room for safe storage and manoeuvring during bin collections.

Lockable bin lids

Lids are key to deterring pests and keeping thieves away from your commercial wheelie bins, as well as preventing unwanted smells and littering. McCarthy Marland’s wheelie bins all come with lockable lids for added security, giving you total peace of mind when it comes to your waste.

Waste segregation

Implementing a stringent waste segregation system is a vital step to minimising the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. Ensure that your employees separate all waste according to the type of material and place it in the correct bin, carrying out simpler recycling practices wherever possible. 

Frequency of collections

Finally, you’ll need to consider how often you require your wheelie bins to be collected via your chosen waste management company. You may want to arrange more frequent collections during peak periods. Our commercial waste collections are available weekly, fortnightly and monthly, and can be scheduled to cause minimal business disruption.

Choose McCarthy Marland as your commercial wheelie bin partner

McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of wheeled bins to suit your commercial needs. We are committed to 100% landfill diversion, with our commercial wheelie bin hire services achieving recycling rates in excess of 95% across all our facilities. Get in touch with one of our waste management specialists today to discuss your business’ wheelie bin requirements.

Food waste is an ongoing global issue that has a detrimental impact on the environment. In today’s eco-conscious world, sustainability incentives are no longer just a “nice-to-have”. If your business isn’t currently working to recycle and reduce food waste, you risk wasting money, turning away paying customers and harming the environment. 

Much of your food waste goes to landfill, where it releases the harmful gas, methane. By recycling your food waste, this gas can be extracted to generate renewable energy, which is then used to power waste collection vehicles. 

Why is commercial food waste a problem?

Did you know that a third of all food produced globally goes to waste, generating almost 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide? Over 40% of the UK’s food waste comes from businesses, with the remaining 60% produced by individual households. 

From the initial production and distribution of food to its eventual disposal in landfill, wasting food can seriously harm the environment. Food waste releases methane when broken down in landfill sites: a greenhouse gas that is more harmful than carbon dioxide. It traps the sun’s heat within the atmosphere and increases the temperature of our planet, leading to a global warming disaster.

As part of the Environmental Act 2021, the UK government will require all businesses with 10 or more full-time employees to separate dry waste and food waste for recycling by 31st March 2025. Businesses with under 10 employees will have until 31st March 2027 to comply with this new legislation. Therefore, it’s vitally important to start thinking about commercial food waste collection for your business now.

Different types of food waste

Food waste is typically divided into four categories:

• Food by-products. This refers to any by-products that are generated when manufacturing food. This accounts for trimmings from fruit and vegetables, scraps from meat products and crops that are spoiled in adverse weather conditions.
• Expired food products. Any products that have become rotten or surpassed their sell-by/best-before dates in shops and supermarkets fall into this category. They are not safe to sell to customers and must therefore be thrown away.
• Leftover food products. This covers food products that are left over in your household or within restaurants/food preparation processes.
• Bakery and packaging food products. Unsold food items that may spoil quickly can no longer be sold and are often wasted. Packaging waste would also meet this criteria.

Benefits of food waste recycling for businesses 

Saves you money

Recycling your food waste via a reputable company will help your business save money. If waste is discarded in landfill, you will need to pay taxes that are based upon the quantity you’re disposing of. Therefore, the more food waste your business generates, the higher the cost for waste disposal. By monitoring your business’ waste and limiting the amount of food you purchase, you’ll create an efficient and cost-effective supply chain.

Reduces your carbon footprint

It’s a common misconception that, as food is biodegradable, it will harmlessly decompose. This isn’t correct however, as organic waste can only become part of the soil via composting. Successful composting requires airflow, which cannot be achieved in landfill sites that are already brimming with waste. Correctly recycling your business’ food waste will help lighten the burden on landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Creates renewable energy

As we have discussed above, sending waste to landfill releases methane. Recycling food waste uses various processes but the most commonly utilised one is known as anaerobic digestion, which allows methane to be extracted in a controlled environment. This harmful gas is then blocked from entering our atmosphere and can be reused as alternative fuel for the collection vehicles that collect the food waste in the first place. So, by choosing to recycle your business’ food waste, you’ll generate renewable energy for future generations.

Enhances your business’ reputation

People are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment and prefer to support businesses that demonstrate eco-friendly practices. Showing that your business is operating with sustainability at the forefront can help attract eco-conscious customers and improve your overall brand image. Recycling your commercial food waste is just one of the ways you can achieve this.

McCarthy Marland: your commercial food waste collection partner

Reduce your waste and be kind to the planet with McCarthy Marland’s commercial food waste bins. Our environmentally-friendly business food waste recycling service ensures that no waste ends up in landfill and is instead sent for anaerobic digestion – a much greener option for your waste.

Contact us today at sales@mccarthymarland.co.uk to organise your commercial food waste recycling bin hire.

Event season is upon us once again. With thousands upon thousands of the British public all flocking to one single location over a day or weekend, we can expect to see masses of waste generated. 

Effective festival waste management is vital for any event to run smoothly, whether it be a music festival, outdoor concert, farm show or sporting occasion. Fostering a litter-free environment will pay dividends for your event, allowing guests to enjoy themselves without the distraction of unwanted sights and smells. 

So, which event waste management strategies should you implement to correctly dispose of waste at festivals? We share our top tips below…

Best practices for correct event waste disposal

When organising any event, you should first focus on creating a responsible event waste management plan. Your festival waste management plan should include details about the following:

Placement of bins

It’s vitally important to ensure that any event wheelie bins are visible and placed in convenient locations. Most attendees will not want to waste time hunting for bins. If they don’t find one quickly, they will be more likely to discard litter on the ground. All types of bins should be placed in a similar area to encourage recycling wherever possible.

It’s a good idea to position your wheelie bins in equal distances throughout the event space. For example, you may decide to place one within every 50 or 100 feet. You should always ensure that there are plenty of event wheelie bins near food stalls, toilets and exits/entrances, as requirements are greater in these areas. Don’t forget about areas outside the festival site too, such as car parks and surrounding roads.

Clear labelling of bins

Much more is required than just simply dotting event wheelie bins around your premises. You need to ensure that bins are clearly labelled and ideally colour-coded, so they can be easily identified. For example, you could use black for general waste, blue for food waste and green for recycling. That way, visitors know which litter to place into which bin, ensuring the correct disposal of waste.

It might also be worth fixing a list of permitted materials onto the event wheelie bins themselves. This will help educate those who are less experienced with recycling to make smarter choices.

Monitoring of waste levels

You’ll need to keep a close eye on the levels of litter in your bins throughout the duration of the event to ensure they don’t end up overflowing. You could hire dedicated event waste management staff members or volunteers to help monitor these spaces. They can then arrange waste removal for full bins and help correctly sort litter prior to collection.

If you don’t have the budget to hire additional staff members, you could consider investing in a waste bin level monitor. They can quickly notify you when bins need emptying, as well as identifying when the wrong type of litter has been placed into a bin. This will make the waste sorting process much easier.

Event waste collections

It’s all well and good to focus on the correct disposal of waste during your event, but don’t forget to organise your event waste collections, too. If your event is set to take place over one day then you can organise collections for the next day. However, you may need to organise regular collections during the event for weekend-long festivals.

Make sure all waste can be quickly picked up from a single collection point. Communicate with your event waste collection company and create a simple route with easy access, which passes every wheelie bin on the site. Organising a clear route in advance is likely to save you both time and money in the long run.

Eco-friendly strategies

Consider implementing eco-friendly strategies at your event to reduce waste that is non-recyclable. Banning single-use plastics and encouraging attendees to bring their own reusable cups or water bottles is a logical place to start. Make sure you offer plenty of water refill stations and water fountains to keep everyone hydrated.

You could encourage vendors to serve food in sustainable containers or packaging which can then be recycled. Cutlery is also a key consideration, with wooden knives and forks making for a more eco-friendly alternative. You should also aim to reduce paper usage and opt for digital event guides and posters wherever possible.

Why choose McCarthy Marland as your event waste management company?

McCarthy Marland offers a wide range of event waste management services including wheelie bin hire for events. We provide food, glass and recycling and recovery bins from 240 litres all the way up to 1100 litres to event organisers throughout the South-West. We even offer event wheelie bin covers and lockable lids if required. Contact us today to discuss your wheelie bin requirements for your upcoming event.

Here at McCarthy, we strive to provide the best customer service possible to potential and existing customers across the south-west. 

The more we know about our potential and existing customers, the better service we can provide. That’s why we’ve invested in two brand-new CRM (customer relationship management) systems: Salesforce and Docusign. This new system will help to make your experience with us seamless, allowing us to provide waste management solutions that truly deliver. Win-win!

Introducing: Salesforce & Docusign

Salesforce is our new CRM system of choice. This allows our operations software and new CRM system to be fully integrated and work hand-in-hand with Docusign, allowing us to better understand our customers’ needs – more on that below…

Understanding Our Customers’ Needs

Salesforce, working alongside Docusign, will allow us to scale our services and boost growth by providing all-important information about our customers. The system captures all relevant contact details, including individuals with significant control for making decisions within the business. We can also gather information about the business’ existing waste contractor, competitor prices and frequency of ordering.

In response to this detailed information, we can now push specific, relevant services to targeted customers. We can also preempt sales and orders by capturing contract renewal dates and setting reminders for when to contact customers – helping to make sure that you’re never caught short. Quotations, direct debits and contracts themselves are totally controlled for sales and compliance, leaving us with more time to focus on scaling the business.

Much More Than Just Skip Hire

As Paul Danks, our Head of Sales, remarked: “gathering the correct information about your potential customers and their needs in the first instance makes the sales process more tailored. This allows us to deliver the best solution for their waste management requirements”. 

With the help of Salesforce and Docusign, we’re now able to provide a more joined-up approach and offer additional services that will help to benefit your business.

Skip hire is McCarthy’s bread and butter, but after a shift in the business strategy, we now offer a whole host of other waste management services, such as  wheeled bins, compaction solutions, grab/tipper hire, third party tipping and roll-on roll-off skip hire.

If you’re searching for waste management with a difference, look no further than McCarthy. With sites covering most of the south-west across Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Oxfordshire, our dedicated team are ready and waiting to assist with all your waste disposal needs. Get in touch via 01666 505800 or email us at sales@mccarthymarland.co.uk to discuss your upcoming project today.