Most businesses overpay for waste because they pay by lift and by weight for material that could be sold or collected for less. Six steps, starting with a simple audit, usually cut the bill.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
Most office waste is separated, not sold, and since March 2025 separating it has been a legal duty in England. The streams that can earn money are IT equipment, sorted white paper and baled cardboard.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
Read more: Office waste: what you can sell, recycle and must separate
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and as scrap it is usually worth more than any common metal except copper. Remove steel and plastic attachments and keep turnings separate to protect the grade.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
Aluminium drinks cans are among the most valuable packaging materials by weight, and steel food cans also have a ready market. Separate the two with a magnet and bale them to earn the best price.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
Read more: Sell scrap cans: aluminium and steel can recycling for businesses
Scrap metal is one of the few wastes that buyers will pay you for. Sort it by type, know the grade and sell to a licensed dealer, and a disposal cost becomes income.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
