Commercial waste: what it is, your duties and how to sell it
Commercial waste is any waste produced by a business, including a business run from home. It is also called business waste or trade waste. A business must store it safely, hand it only to a registered carrier and keep a record, and some of it, such as metal, cardboard and plastic film, can be sold.
Commercial waste: key facts
| What it covers | All waste from a commercial activity, including construction, industry and farming |
|---|---|
| Who is responsible | The business that produces it, until it reaches an authorised site |
| Records | A waste transfer note for every load, kept for two years |
| Recycling in England | Dry recycling and food waste must be separated since 31 March 2025 |
| What can be sold | Metal, cardboard, paper, plastic film and pallets, when sorted |
What counts as commercial waste?
The government definition is wide. It covers any waste that comes from a commercial activity. If you run a business from part of your home, the waste from that part is commercial waste too. It cannot go in a household bin or to a household recycling centre.
What a business must do
- Produce less. Prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste before you dispose of it.
- Sort and store it safely. Use secure, labelled containers with covers.
- Use a registered waste carrier. Check the registration before the first collection.
- Complete a waste transfer note. One for each load, or one for up to 12 months of regular collections.
- Report waste crime. You must not let a carrier dispose of your waste illegally.
For how to choose a collector, read our guide to business waste collection.
Which commercial waste can you sell?
Waste has a price when it is one material, clean and in quantity. These are the materials buyers pay for.
| Material | What buyers want | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Scrap metal | Sorted by type. Copper, brass and aluminium earn most | Sell scrap metal |
| Cardboard | Dry and baled | Sell cardboard waste |
| Plastic | Clear film and single types, baled | Sell plastic waste |
| Office paper | White paper kept apart from other waste | Sell office waste |
| Glass | Sorted by colour, in volume | Sell glass waste |
In July 2026 the average UK export value was £7,728 a tonne for copper scrap, £1,930 for aluminium, £177 for plastic film and £119 for cardboard. A buyer will offer less, but these figures show which materials are worth separating.
See all the current prices for recyclable materials. When your material is sorted, list it on our marketplace and buyers contact you directly.
Find a waste company near you
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between commercial waste and trade waste?
There is none in practice. Commercial waste, business waste and trade waste all mean waste produced by a business.
Is waste from a home business commercial waste?
Yes. Waste from the part of your home used for the business is commercial waste. It must be collected by a registered carrier, not put in the household bin.
Can I take commercial waste to the tip?
Not to a household recycling centre. Some sites accept business waste for a charge. You must register as a waste carrier if you regularly carry your own waste.
Can a business make money from its waste?
Yes, from materials that are sorted, clean and produced in volume. Scrap metal always has a price. Baled cardboard and plastic film usually do.
How long must I keep waste transfer notes?
Two years. An inspector from the council or the Environment Agency can ask to see them.