Managing Hotel Waste

Hotels produce various types of waste, including general waste (like packaging and non-recyclables), recyclables (paper, plastics, metals), food waste, and glass waste (mostly from beverage containers).

Managing your hotel waste streams is important for the sake of the environment, and ensuring that your costs are kept as low as possible.

Proper waste separation and recycling efforts help hotels reduce their impact on the environment while keeping their spaces clean and appealing to guests.

a photograph of a female receptionist standing behind the reception desk at a hotel. In the background you can see certificates to do with the hotel. The woman is smiling and appears happy to greet guests checking in.

1. What Kinds of Waste Do Hotels Produce?

The kinds of waste hotels usually produce are general waste, recyclable waste (also known as dry mixed recycling), food waste, and glass waste.

Hotels generate particularly large volumes of waste in comparison to other businesses.

This is due to the various facilities they may have on-site and their need to consistently refresh amenities for new guests.

Whether you run a quaint countryside B&B, a buzzing hostel in the city centre, or a boutique hotel, implementing the right waste management system is crucial for success.

It saves your hotel business time, money and resources whilst also having a positive impact on the environment.

Hotel waste management can be straightforward provided you choose a waste partner that genuinely cares about you and your hotel.

That’s where Waste Basics comes in!

We provide affordable, transparent pricing on all of our waste services.

We noticed that direct waste suppliers like Biffa, Veolia, and Viridor were taking advantage of hotels just like yours all across the country by charging unfairly high prices that were confusing and often included hidden excess charges.

With Waste Basics, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.

You can access our prices here with our free quote tool, or give us a call directly to find out more!

Alternatively, you can get in touch with our sister company, Waste Managed.

Waste Managed will work with you to take a look at how much waste you’ll be generating over the next 12 months and then split that cost into 12 equal payments so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.

And the best part – there’s no excess weight fees!

Types of Waste Hotels Produce:

General

Single-Use Toiletries: Disposable shampoo bottles, soap wrappers, and other single-use bathroom amenities.
Bedding and Linens: Worn-out or damaged bed sheets, towels, and linens that can’t be reused.
Food Packaging: Non-recyclable packaging materials like plastic wrap, Styrofoam containers, and foil.
Broken or Damaged Furniture: Furniture items, such as chairs, tables, or fixtures, that are no longer usable. and cannot be recycled.
Cleaning Supplies: Non-recyclable empty containers of cleaning chemicals and materials.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Used face masks, gloves, and other PPE items cleaners may use.
Electronics: Outdated or malfunctioning electronic devices, such as old televisions, phones, or computer equipment.

Check out our dedicated General Waste page for more information on how to dispose of your general waste.

You can also use our free quote tool to get instant access to pricing for your hotel!

Recyclable (Dry Mixed Recycling)

Paper Products: Newspapers, magazines, brochures, and cardboard packaging.
Plastic Bottles and Containers: Empty plastic bottles, containers, and packaging used for beverages, toiletries, and cleaning supplies.
Glass Bottles: Empty glass bottles from beverages like wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Metal Cans: Empty tin or steel cans used for beverages or food items.
Cardboard Boxes: Packaging materials and boxes used for deliveries and shipments.
Printer and Office Paper: Used paper from in-house management office or reception, including printouts and documents.
Ink Cartridges: Recycling used ink and toner cartridges from printers.

Properly segregating and recycling these materials helps reduce the environmental impact of a hotel’s waste and contributes to sustainability efforts.

Hotels often have recycling programs in place to manage these recyclable items responsibly.

Get in touch with us today or request a callback to find out more about our recycling waste options.

Alternatively use our free quote tool to get instant access to our pricing!

Food

By-Products (preparation waste from trimmings, peels, and other food preparation waste generated during the cooking process.)
Expired or Spoiled Food: (perishable items that have passed their expiration dates or have become spoiled and cannot be used)
Leftovers: (leftover food on guests’ plates that cannot be reused).
Overproduction/ Uneaten Inventory: (food that remains unserved or untouched on buffet tables or under heat warmers).
Spilled/ Ruined Food: (food that has been spilled, overcooked or burned).

Efficient food waste management is crucial for hotels to minimise environmental impact and reduce operating costs.

Some hotels may compost food scraps or donate edible surplus food to local charities as part of their sustainability efforts.

If you’d like to consult with us on your waste disposal needs, then get in touch with us today or request a callback to find out more about our food waste options.

Alternatively use our online, free quote tool to get instant access to our pricing.

Glass

Glass waste generated by hotels typically includes:

Beverage Bottles: (empty glass bottles from alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages served in hotel bars, restaurants, and minibars).
Glassware: (broken or chipped glassware, such as drinking glasses, wine glasses, and coffee mugs).
Room Service Containers: (glass containers or jars used for room service items like condiments, sauces, or desserts).
Food Storage Containers: jam jars

Hotels can recycle glass waste by ensuring that it is properly sorted and collected for recycling collection.

Recycling glass is an effective way to reduce the environmental impact of glass production and use, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainability.

It can also be a huge cost-saving hack for your hotel waste!

If you’d like to know more about what your hotel may need to recycle its glass waste, then get in touch with us today or request a callback at a more convenient time.

In a rush and want to jump straight to the price? No problem!

Use our online, free quote tool to get instant access to our pricing.

2. Why is Hotel Waste Disposal Important?

Proper hotel waste disposal is important because it can mean huge cost savings, aid in sustainability efforts, and ensure legal compliance for your hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), or hostel.

Hotels generate a significant amount of refuse, including general, food, recyclable and glass waste.

When hotel waste is not handled efficiently, it can lead to excessive expenses and harm the environment.

a photograph of a man in a suit wheeling a suitcase into the reception area of the hotel. In the background you can see a bin full of hotel waste. There is also a receptionist smiling waiting to greet the guest.

Saving Costs for Hotels

Properly organising waste collection in your hotel with separate bins can result in huge cost savings for your business.

Waste collection costs are determined by the type of waste, the frequency of the pick up, the size of the bin – but also excess weight fees mandated by the government.

Segregating waste into distinct streams, such as food waste or glass, can reduce the weight in general waste bins or your dry mixed recycling bin, which helps hotels avoid the excess weight fees that can be incurred by heavy waste in other waste streams.

While investing in additional waste bins may seem expensive in the short term, it often proves to be a cost-saving strategy in the long run.

Breakdown of Cost Savings for Hotels

an image of an infographic. On the left hand side there is the title option 1. Below there is a grey box with a red pound sign to the left of it. Inside the grey box it reads cost: £136+VAT in red and below it says weekly collection in black. Below this it has 2 red circles with a bin inside. On the left hand image it says general waste 1100L beneath it. On the right hand image it says dry mixed recycling with 1100L beneath it. On the right hand side of the infographic it says option 2. Beneath it there is a grey box. On the left of the grey box there is a green pound sign. Inside the grey box it reads cost: £105 +VAT with the words fortnightly collection beneath it.Beneath the grey box there are 4 green circles with bins in them. Top left hand corner says general waste with 240L, top right hand corner says dry mixed recycling with 240l beneath it, bottom left hand corner says food waste with 240l beneath it and bottom right hand corner says glass waste with 240l beneath it.

Let’s consider the typical amount of food waste generated by hotels and other hospitality businesses on a weekly basis, which can be quite substantial.

Currently, the cost of having the largest general waste bin (1100L) along with the largest dry mixed recycling bin (1100L) collected on a weekly basis totals £136, plus twice the applicable VAT.

It’s important to note that this cost estimate does not account for any additional fees related to excess weight, which are quite common in the hospitality industry due to the substantial weight of food waste large amounts of waste from events and conferences.

However, if your hotel were to downsize the general waste bin and the dry mixed recycling bin, while also implementing separate waste streams and opting for a fortnightly collection schedule, the cost would be reduced to £105 plus VAT.

This is a monthly saving of £31, which accumulates to a minimum annual savings of approximately £375!

Keep in mind that the extent of these savings can be even greater depending on the amount of excess waste fees your hotel typically incurs.

The initial investment in a well-structured waste management system can result in significant long-term savings.

This not only positively impacts your hotel’s financial bottom line , but also contributes to environmental sustainability efforts.

Environmental Responsibility

In today’s environmentally conscious society, all businesses, particularly the hospitality sector which contribute to a lot of waste production, play a vital role in mitigating the environmental impact of their waste.

Implementing separate waste streams is an effective way for hotels to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance sustainability efforts.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Diverting Waste from Landfills

Separate waste streams help divert waste from landfills, which are detrimental to the environment due to methane emissions.

A significant portion of global food waste ends up in landfills, contributing to this crisis.

By categorising waste as general waste, food waste, and recyclables, hotels increase the likelihood of proper recycling and eco-friendly disposal.

2. Reducing Methane Emissions

Food waste constitutes a major portion of hotel waste.

Disposing of food waste in general waste bins can lead to landfill disposal, where it decomposes anaerobically, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas.

By segregating food waste and using dedicated food waste bins, hotels can reduce their carbon footprint and often save money simultaneously.

3. Promoting Recycling

Having separate bins for recyclables like cardboard, glass, and plastics encourages recycling, conserving valuable resources and energy.

Recycling not only saves resources but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Compliance with Legislation

Hotels are legally obligated to handle their waste responsibly, including proper disposal and collection of commercial waste through appropriate channels.

In April 2024 for Wales , and later in 2024 for England, the ‘Environmental Act 2021‘ will be enforced, mandating hotels and all other businesses to have separate food and glass waste bins for disposal.

Non-compliance with these regulations may result in significant penalties.

Environmental Act 2021

This legislation, introduced in 2020 and passed into law in 2021, establishes legally-binding targets for environmental improvement, emphasising responsible waste reduction and management by all businesses in the UK, not just those in the hospitality industry.

Hotels, B&Bs, and hostels all must accurately separate and dispose of their commercial waste to avoid penalties.

Managing waste in hotels may seem complex, but rest assured, we at Waste Basics are here to simplify the process for you!

Our team of experts is ready to offer personalised guidance, just a phone call away.

We’ll help you navigate all the steps in creating the best waste management plan, ensuring you choose the most suitable waste bins tailored to your unique hotel needs.

In a rush? No problem!

We offer a user-friendly, complimentary instant quote tool to get instant access to our prices.

Don’t wait – kickstart your hotel waste management that’s efficient, compliant, and cost-effective!

a photograph of a maid or cleaner working making the bed in a hotel room. The bedroom appears very clean meaning she has already removed the hotel waste from the bedroom and collected it ready for disposal. She is smiling whilst making the bed.

3. What are Some Hotel Waste Statistics?

When it comes to waste management in hotels, grasping the concerning statistics related to waste production and proper disposal is crucial for both the industry and environmental sustainability.

an infographic which says the hotel industry produces 289700 tones of waste each year including 79000 tonnes of food waste. There is an image of three bin bags in the bottom left hand corner

Did you know that the hotel industry produces 289,700 tonnes of waste every single year?

And that 79,000 tonnes of that waste is all from food alone?

That is enough waste to fill the entire Savoy Hotel over 1 and a half million times!

there is an infographic of a man with a wheelie bin. on the right hand side it says hotels generate 90337kg more waste per year than restaurants

Did you know that hotels generate 90,337kg more waste per year than restaurants?

That’s the equivalent of 3,241 double beds every single year!

an infographic with a hotel door on the left hand side. on the right it says hotels generate one cubic year of waste per room each month

Did you know that hotels generate one cubic yard of waste per room every single month?

That’s 12 cubic yards of waste per room every single year.

To put it into perspective, that’s enough waste to cover St James’ Park football field every single year – just from one hotel room!

Why Waste Basics for my Hotel Waste?

Hotels, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and hostels within the hospitality sector generate substantial waste, posing significant environmental challenges in the UK and globally.

At Waste Basics, we conduct a comprehensive annual evaluation of all our waste collection partners in the hotel, B&B, and hostel industry to ensure they are committed to minimising their environmental footprint.

Should any of our existing partners fail to meet our stringent sustainability standards, we take swift action by discontinuing our partnership and smoothly transitioning our valued customers to alternative suppliers.

If you prioritise your hotel’s environmental impact and seek a waste broker that is genuinely dedicated to sustainable waste management in the hotel, B&B, and hostel sector, look no further than us.

You can get in touch by giving us a call today, or request a callback at a more convenient time for you!

Want to jump straight to the costs? No problem!

You can use our free, instant quote tool to get a price on the exact waste streams your hotel needs.

4. What Size Bins are Best for My Hotel Waste?

The bin sizes required for hotels, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and hostels may vary based on the establishment’s size, the types of waste generated, and the overall waste volume.

In the hospitality sector, properties typically produce various types of waste, including general waste, food waste, dry mixed recyclable waste (such as paper and plastic), and glass waste.

At Waste Basics, we provide three different bin sizes tailored to accommodate the specific waste production of hotels, B&Bs, and hostels.

However, some of our clients opt to double up on a particular size or incorporate multiple sizes to align with their waste requirements and available storage space.

Waste Basics offers flexibility to ensure that your hotel’s waste management needs are met efficiently.

If you’re not sure what size bins your hotel will need for the amount of waste you produce, feel free to give one of our friendly team a call and we’ll happily give you some free advice!

General Waste

1100L Commercial General Waste Bin

Our 1100L general waste bin stands as the top choice for the majority of our customers in the hospitality sector, including hotels, B&Bs, and hostels.

This bin has a generous pre-collection capacity of up to 70kg, equivalent to approximately accommodating 18 bin bags.

It measures 1.40 meters in height and 1.26 meters in width.

660L Commercial Waste Bin

The 660L general waste bin is another popular option for many hotels, B&Bs, and hostels across the UK.

With a pre-collection capacity of up to 40kg, it provides ample space for around 12 bin bags.

The bin dimensions are 1.3 meters in height and 1.26 meters in width.

240L Commercial Waste Bin

For more compact waste management needs, the 240L bin offers a practical solution.

It can hold up to 15kg before collection, accommodating approximately 4 bin bags.

Similar in size to a standard household wheelie bin, the 240L general waste bin measures just 1.08 meters in height and 0.58 meters in width.

The commercial waste bin options are set up to match the different waste needs of hotels, B&Bs, and hostels, making waste management a breeze.

Dry Mixed Recycling

Just like your hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), or hostel is unique, the amount of dry mixed recycling you generate and the space available for bins can vary from one property to another.

Here at Waste Basics, we’ve got three different options to cater to your hotel’s dry mixed recycling requirements.

Unlike some waste collectors like Biffa, Veolia, or Viridor that might try to complicate things for your hospitality business, we’re all about being 100% clear on our pricing.

Others might attempt to push you into spending more on your property’s dry mixed recycling, but with Waste Basics, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for and why, without any hidden fees whatsoever.

We’re here to keep it straightforward and hassle-free for you!

You can get a completely free of charge quote instantly online, or if you’d like a little bit more support from a real human being then you can get in touch with us today or request a callback at a better time for you.

This is an infographic for the Waste Basics recycling bin sizes. There are three diagrams on the infographic. All of the diagrams have the same template, with a black bar at the top with the size of the bin, a green circle beneath with a weight picture inside with the label and then the maximum weight that bin can hold. Beneath that, each section has a diagram of the bin itself with the dimensions of the bin. From left to right, there is the 1100L bin which can hold a maximum weight of 40kg, and is 1.26m wide and 1.4m tall. In the middle there is the 660L bin which can hold a max weight of 25kg and is 1.26m wide and 1.3m tall. And finally on the far right there is the 240L bin that can hold a max weight of 10kg and is 0.58m wide and 1.08m tall.

1100L Dry Mixed Recycling Bin

Our 1100L Dry Mixed Recycling bin is a hit among our 27,000 customers across the UK, especially for hotels, B&Bs, and hostels looking for spacious recycling options.

It’s the largest commercial dry mixed recycling bin, capable of holding up to 40kg of mixed recycling.

That’s roughly equivalent to 115 medium-sized cardboard boxes or around 3,300 plastic bottles!

660L Dry Mixed Recycling Bin

The 660L dry mixed recycling bin is another excellent choice for properties in the hospitality sector that have a moderate amount of recyclable waste.

With a capacity of up to 25kg, it can handle about 59 flattened cardboard boxes or approximately 2,500 plastic bottles.

240L Dry Mixed Recycling Bin

For hotels, B&Bs, or hostels with limited space or smaller waste storage areas, our 240L dry mixed recycling bin is a perfect fit.

It accommodates up to 10kg of recyclable materials, roughly equivalent to 24 empty cardboard boxes or around 700 plastic bottles.

This bin size is similar to a typical household wheelie bin.

If you’re unsure about which size best suits your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.

They’re here to assist you with no strings attached and help you make the right choice!

Food Waste

At Waste Basics, we’re proud to be an award-winning Waste Broker, dedicated to helping hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), and hostel owners effectively manage their waste across all regions of the UK for over 12 years.

Our food waste bin has emerged as a highly valued choice among our 27,000+ customers, particularly for hospitality establishments like hotels, B&Bs, and hostels, where food waste management can be a significant challenge.

These bins have consistently proven to be a substantial cost-saving solution for our clients over the long term, primarily because food waste tends to be much heavier compared to general commercial waste.

They have been proven to save our clients a huge amount of investment over the long-term due to the heavy weight of food waste in comparison to commercial general waste.

An infographic displaying what dimensions the food waste bin has. On the left there is a dark green circle with an image of a wheelie bin over the top. The image has the dimensions of the wheelie bin on it, with 1.08m in height and 0.58m in width. On the right hand side there are 3 green bars, each one with a piece of information on. One says the volume capacity of the food waste bin - 240L. Another says the maximum weight capacity of the bin - 100kg. And the final one describing roughly how many bin bags you can get into the food bin - 4 bags.

Our 240L food waste bin may be compact in size, but it packs a punch when it comes to food waste storage.

This bin can comfortably accommodate up to 4 full bags of food waste, or a weight equivalent to 100kg (that’s about the weight of a standard refrigerator or a small piano!).

With dimensions matching that of a household wheelie bin (1.08m in height and 0.58m in width), it’s a practical choice for hotels, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and hostels.

Concerned about whether it’ll meet your hotel’s food waste needs?

Some of our clients in the hospitality sector opt for multiple food waste bins to ensure they always have ample space for their property’s food waste.

Glass Waste

The glass recycling bin we offer is tailor-made for your hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), or hostel’s glass waste needs.

We understand that many properties in the hospitality sector, including hotels, B&Bs, and hostels, often face challenges in managing their glass recycling due to limited on-site storage facilities.

By actively listening to feedback from our 27,000+ customers, we’ve developed an effective storage solution for your property’s commercial glass waste.

This solution has been thoroughly tested and proven as the best option, ensuring hassle-free glass recycling for your hotel.

an infographic of a glass waste bin. there is a green circle on the left hand side with an image of a bin. on the right hand side there is two green tabs, one saying the maximum volume which is 240l and the other saying 100kg which is the maximum weight allowance

While it may appear to be a larger upfront investment, our glass recycling bins have consistently proven to be a substantial money-saving solution for our hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), and hostel partners in the long run.

This is especially apparent when compared to increasing the frequency of waste pick-ups or adding more general waste or dry mixed recycling bins.

Glass waste bins are especially beneficial due to large volume of glass waste typically generated by hotels, B&Bs, and hostels that are serving beverages like lager and beer bottles, wine bottles, and glassware.

Our 240L glass recycling bin is an ideal fit for efficiently managing your hotel’s glass recycling waste.

It’s capable of holding up to 100kg of glass which is the equivalent to the weight of a standard washing machine!

The bin’s dimensions are the same as those of a household wheelie bin, measuring just 1.08m in height and 0.58m in width.

Depending on your hotel’s glass waste collection needs, some of our hospitality partners, especially restaurants and hotels, opt for multiple bins to accommodate higher volumes of commercial glass waste.

If your establishment has limited storage space, our bin dimensions are well-suited for compact and secure waste storage areas.

Unlike other waste collection providers such as Biffa or Veolia, we are committed to providing transparent pricing with no hidden fees or variable costs.

With us, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for when it comes to your glass recycling services.

Alternatively, you can use our free quote tool for instant cost estimates tailored to your specific requirements.

Feel free to reach out with a no-strings-attached, free call to learn more about how we can assist your property.

5. What Will My Hotel Waste Cost?

The cost of waste collection for hotels can fluctuate based on factors like the type of waste generated, the volume of waste produced, and the frequency of waste collection needed.

At Waste Basics, we prioritise price transparency in our services.

When you partner with us, you can rest assured that you’ll have complete clarity about your expenses, with no complicated fees or concealed charges.

We keep it straightforward for your hotel’s peace of mind.

photograph of some hotel amenities that can often be the cause of large volumes of hotel waste. It is a photograph of a white bed that has towels folded and stacked on top of it. It also has some complimentary amenities for guests such as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.