Business waste has stopped being a back-office operational chore. By the start of 2026, it has become a cost centre, compliance risk, and brand reputation lever - one sitting squarely alongside energy, water, and sustainability strategy.
Rising disposal fees, tightening regulation, and increasing scrutiny from customers and investors mean UK businesses can no longer afford a passive, piecemeal approach. Waste is now a measurable governance issue, with the government’s 2025–2030 waste strategy placing new obligations on commercial organisations across packaging, recycling, and reporting.
Below is a clear, factual overview of where the UK stands today and what businesses should prepare for across the next year.
Businesses now face a series of structural changes that reshape how commercial waste must be managed, monitored, and reported. The major drivers include:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - Phase-ins continuing through 2025–26
Although the full cost burden was delayed, EPR reporting became mandatory, with the phased introduction of fees expected to accelerate again in 2026.
Government source: UK Government, EPR policy documents (DEFRA).
For businesses, this means:
- Accurate packaging reporting has moved from “nice to have” to non-negotiable.
- Poor data quality risks fines and retrospective cost recovery.
- Supply chains must now evidence recyclability and material efficiency.
Incoming Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) expected UK-wide rollout in 2026
DEFRA confirmed DWT is moving through final testing. The new system will replace paper waste transfer notes with universal digital tracking, covering all controlled waste movements.
This will increase enforcement accuracy and require businesses to maintain real-time, auditable records.
Landfill Tax and Gate Fee Pressures
Landfill tax continues rising above inflation, with total disposal costs pushed further by labour shortages, transport cost volatility, and high demand for treatment capacity (WRAP gate fee reports).
For most businesses this has created:
- A predictable YoY cost rise - making waste-to-landfill the most expensive option.
- Increased pressure to reduce mixed residual waste streams through segregation.
Many UK businesses still benchmark waste spend annually rather than monthly. Yet across our client base and sector reports, 2025 has shown:
- 5–15% inflation in general waste costs
- Higher collection charges driven by transport
- Surcharges for contaminated loads or poor segregation
Without accurate data, most organisations are overpaying without realising it.
This isn’t just an operational topic - it touches board-level responsibilities.
Waste impacts:
- Financial governance, due to rising cost exposure
- Regulatory compliance, especially under EPR and upcoming DWT
- Environmental reporting, influencing carbon footprint, ESG scoring, and stakeholder trust
Boards are increasingly expected to demonstrate active oversight of waste streams, supported by credible external expertise. Waste is now inherently linked to risk management and operational resilience.
While costs continue to rise, structured waste management is one of the simplest areas to unlock savings for you business.
Better Segregation = Lower Costs
Residual waste is the most expensive. Every tonne moved into recycling reduces cost exposure and supports compliance under EPR and DWT.
Contract Optimisation
Just as with energy and water, many businesses are overspending due to:
- Out-of-contract rates
- Bundled “all-in” fees that hide true pricing
- Contracts that no longer match their waste profile
A structured review can often reduce spend without operational disruption.
Carbon Reporting Benefits
Waste contributes to Scope 3 emissions. Better recycling and reduced disposal provide measurable carbon reductions - increasingly required for tenders and investor reporting.
Accurate Data
Most organisations have incomplete waste data.
Under DWT this becomes a compliance risk.
Businesses need:
- Clear site-level waste streams
- Accurate volume and collection reporting
- A single point of truth for analysis
Supplier Oversight
Multiple waste providers often lead to variable pricing, hidden fees, and inconsistent reporting.
A Clear Waste Strategy is Not Just a Contract
A modern waste strategy includes:
- Segregation mapping
- Treatment pathway analysis
- Data integrity assessment
- Compliance risk mitigation
- Cost forecasting and optimisation
This is now essential, not optional.
At Resolve, we help businesses reduce waste costs while strengthening compliance and governance.
Our approach includes:
- Waste contract audits
- Cost benchmarking
- Reporting and data validation
- Segregation and optimisation advice
- Integration with wider energy, water, and net-zero pathways
Our clients consistently see significant savings across waste, water, and energy through better data, clearer oversight, and proactive market monitoring.
If you're looking for waste management services, then why not get in touch today? The close relationships Resolve Energy has developed with our waste management providers allow our experts to source the best plan available for your company right when you need them. Request a free quote today and start saving money today.
