Commercial Glass Waste Collection & Recycling

Glass waste bins are for glass bottles and jars. Bottles and jars should be empty before being placed in the bin. Rinsing out any excess residue helps keep the bin clean and hygienic.

Glass waste bins are for glass bottles and jars only; other waste types, such as dry mixed recycling, have their own dedicated bins. The following must not be placed in a glass waste bin: window glass, Pyrex, drinking glasses and ceramics. These are made differently from container glass and can contaminate the recycling process, so they should be kept separate.

Broken bottles and jars can still go in your glass waste bin and will be recycled in the normal way. However, broken glass should be handled carefully to protect your team and waste collection staff. We recommend wrapping sharp pieces or using a dedicated container before placing them in the bin. Broken window glass, drinking glasses and ceramics must not go in the recycling bin, even if they look similar.

Glass should not be placed in your general waste bin. Glass is fully recyclable and can be reprocessed into new products, but only if it is collected separately. Putting glass in general waste means it is likely to be sent to landfill or incineration, and broken glass also creates a safety risk for waste handlers. A dedicated glass waste collection keeps it out of general waste and ensures it can be recycled.

Once collected, glass waste is taken to a treatment facility where it is sorted. The glass is separated by colour, because different colours melt at different temperatures, then cleaned to remove impurities such as labels and caps. It is then crushed into small pieces known as cullet, which is melted in a furnace and moulded into new bottles, jars and other glass products. Glass can be recycled repeatedly without any loss in quality, which is why keeping it separate from other waste is so valuable.

There is no need to remove labels from bottles and jars, as these are dealt with during the recycling process. Empty the container before placing it in the bin, and give it a quick rinse if there is a lot of residue. Metal and plastic lids and caps should ideally be removed and placed in your dry mixed recycling, as they are a different material from the glass itself.

Yes. Under workplace recycling rules in England, businesses, charities and public sector organisations must separate their recyclable waste, including glass, from general waste before collection. In practice, glass is usually stored and collected in its own dedicated bin rather than mixed with other recyclables. These rules came into force on 31 March 2025, while micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply. Businesses that do not comply may receive a compliance notice from the Environment Agency.

Businesses that fail to separate glass and other recyclable waste from general waste risk receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency, and continued non-compliance can lead to enforcement action and fines. Beyond the legal risk, sending recyclable glass to landfill or incineration increases disposal costs and environmental impact. Setting up a dedicated glass waste collection is the simplest way to stay compliant and keep costs down.

Better Waste Solutions offers glass waste bins in 360L and 240L sizes, suitable for businesses of all types, from cafes and small bars through to busy pubs, restaurants and hotels. Both bins have a weight limit of 100kg. Because glass is heavy, our team will recommend the right bin size and collection frequency to keep within this weight limit while suiting your waste output.

Setting up a glass waste collection through Better Waste Solutions is straightforward:

1. Request a quote. Answer a few quick questions about your waste volume, bin size and preferred collection frequency.
2. Speak to a specialist. A UK waste expert will contact you, usually within minutes, to discuss the best options for your business.
3. We handle the rest. Once you are happy with the quote, we arrange everything with your chosen provider so you can get started straight away.