Yes, if you need to change your collection day only without making other changes to your contract, please contact us by email at business.waste@colchester.gov.uk

Trade waste and recycling bags need to be put out for collection from your premises by 6am on the day of collection. 

For bin collections please ensure your bin is accessible from 6am on the day of collection. Please refer to your waste contract for the agreed location to where to place your bins.

All waste must be kept within your property between collections. 

If you are unsure when to place your waste or recycling out for collection, please contact us by emailing business.waste@colchester.gov.uk

If your business has 10 or more full time staff, you must separate dry recyclable waste, food waste and black bin waste from each other. To find out how your business can start recycling more, please contact us by emailing business.waste@colchester.gov.uk 

More information on the Simpler Recycling legislation can be found here Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England - GOV.UK 

If you work in an office or building with only a few staff, but are part of a larger organisation, you will still be required to separate your waste, recycling and food from 31 March 2025. Micro-firms, those with less than 10 FTE employees, have an exemption until 31 March 2027, but can still recycle if they wish to. 

No. Mixing business waste with residential waste is not allowed and may be considered fly tipping, which could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). 

Residential waste services are funded by council tax, so business waste must be handled separately. This rule also applies to recycling centres, which are for residential use only. 

We will invoice you every six months. Invoices are sent in April and October each year. Payment is required within 30 days or by monthly Direct Debit instalments. Please see your invoice for more details on making the payment in full, or for more guidance or support, email business.waste@colchester.gov.uk 

Several factors influence the charges for your waste service with us, including the type of waste collected, the frequency of collections, and the size of the container specified in your contract.

If you order trade waste or recycling bags from us these will normally be delivered within 10 working days.

If you believe your bin to be in an unserviceable condition due to general wear and tear, please contact us by email to business.waste@colchester.gov.uk. 

Please note that there is a charge for repair or replacement of bins caused by vandalism, fire or theft. Please also contact us if this has happened and we can discuss prices with you. 

Yes, you can use your own bin if it meets council standards and it can be emptied using the council’s lifting equipment. 

Alternatively, you can hire or purchase bins directly from the council. 

Yes, we hire bins for events and can arrange for them to be emptied after the event. 

Charges include: 

• Standard hire costs (usually for a week) unless you are using your own 
• Tipping fees based on bin size. 
• Travel costs if bins need to be delivered and collected. (This is calculated from our Shrubend depot to the location and back for both delivery and collection 

Please email business.waste@colchester.gov.uk for a quote. 

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, every business has a legal duty of care to ensure that the waste produced, however small or large the amount, is disposed of properly by a licensed waste carrier. 

A Waste Transfer Note (also known as a Duty of Care certificate) records all the information about your waste, including the type of waste, how much you are producing, how often it is collected, who is collecting it and where it is being disposed of. The council will provide you with an annual Duty of Care certificate, and if you change your contract mid-year, we will provide an amended certificate. Copies should be kept for 2 years. If you need a copy of your certificate, please contact us by emailing business.waste@colchester.gov.uk. 

We do not currently provide a garden waste service for businesses.

Information to be added.