At BSH Recycling, we’re committed to providing the most effective and environmentally responsible waste management services for our commercial customers. That’s why, from the week commencing 16th February 2026, we’re implementing a cardboard-only recycling policy for all our commercial Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) collection services.
This change applies to all our business and commercial waste customers. We understand that changes to your commercial recycling services can require adjustment, so we wanted to explain why we’re making this shift and what cardboard-only recycling means for your business.
While single-stream or mixed recycling seems convenient for busy commercial premises, it comes with significant challenges. Industry research consistently shows that mixed recycling streams suffer from high contamination rates. When different materials are combined—plastics with cardboard, glass with tins—the quality of the recyclable materials degrades significantly.
The unfortunate reality? Contaminated recycling loads often end up being diverted to landfill, defeating the entire purpose of recycling in the first place.
According to waste management best practices, the effectiveness of any recycling programme depends heavily on the “purity” of the waste stream. This is where source separation comes in—the practice of separating recyclable materials at the point of disposal.
By dedicating our commercial DMR bins exclusively to cardboard, we’re ensuring that high-quality fibrous materials can be processed efficiently into new paper products with minimal energy expenditure and maximum environmental benefit. Clean cardboard streams can be recycled up to 7 times, but only if they remain uncontaminated.
From 16th February, please use your current recycling bin for:
The following items must now go in your general waste bin:
Organic residues and grease can ruin the chemical integrity of an entire recycling batch, so it’s crucial that only clean, dry cardboard enters the recycling stream.
To help all our commercial customers adjust to this change, we’ve created reminder stickers that will be placed on bins containing non-cardboard materials. This is simply a helpful nudge to ensure we’re all working together towards cleaner recycling.
We recognise that this change may affect your commercial waste management needs. We’re here to help with:
If your current general waste capacity becomes insufficient following this change, please contact us immediately for a competitive quote. We can adjust your commercial service to ensure you have adequate capacity.
We also offer dedicated collections for businesses:
Glass Recycling – Separate glass collection prevents broken glass (cullet) from contaminating other recyclable materials and ensures glass can be infinitely recycled.
Food Waste Collection – Diverting organic matter from landfill is essential for reducing methane emissions and aligns with modern waste hierarchy principles. Particularly important for hospitality and food service businesses.
Cardboard-Only Collections – If you don’t currently have a cardboard collection service but your business generates significant cardboard waste, we can set up a dedicated service.
This transition isn’t about operational efficiency, it’s about genuine environmental impact and supporting your business’s sustainability goals. By improving the quality of our recycled materials, we:
We understand that adjusting to new procedures takes time and effort, especially when you’re running a busy business. Our team is available to answer any questions and help ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for your commercial operations.
Whether you need advice on managing your business waste streams, require additional capacity, or want to explore our specialist commercial recycling services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work together towards a more sustainable future. By improving the quality of our recycling, we’re making a real difference for your business and our environment—one cardboard box at a time.
