16 September 2019

Cleaning up in Edinburgh, Implementation of new Tradewaste Regulations

Following the major shake-up of rules for the storage of general waste and recycling bins in 2015, City of Edinburgh Council is taking its policy to the next level and revoking permits for businesses to store food and glass waste on public property.

From 1^st October 2019, businesses in the Edinburgh City Council region will be required to comply with the new trade waste regulations, which in short, imply no kerbside bins. The policy to keep bins off streets undoubtedly improves the city and has a positive impact for those who work, live and visit there.

But the changes will be challenging, especially for restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. A review of waste management processes is inevitable, and it needs to happen fast.

Such businesses, which will likely face fines if they do not comply with the new regulations, produce large amounts of glass and food waste but have very limited internal space to store it in, with those in the hospitality sector likely to be the affected the most.

At the same time, waste management suppliers should be using experience to help plan how they will support customers. For example, re-evaluating their services as a whole in order to maximise recycling opportunities whilst utilising software solutions to schedule collections and optimise routes.

We anticipate re-configuring our fleet for smaller, more nibble vehicles that enable us to satisfy the needs of our customers – many requiring collections simultaneously in the allotted time slots.

From 1st of October 2019, all trade waste will need to be collected from premises within the following time windows, and bins can only be placed kerbside for collection for a one hour time slot during these times:

9.30hrs – 12.00hrs

14.00hrs - 16.00hrs

18.30hrs – 23.00hrs

Whilst the allocated times do not differ from before, businesses will not be allowed to store any waste on the street out-with these windows. Collections may need to be more frequent to ensure nothing is left outside premises, so partnership working and problem solving are going to be key factors in making your collections effective for your business needs.

As a result of this update, businesses will better understand how their waste is produced, what exactly they are producing, and how to take ownership of their recycling initiatives in order to reduce waste and improving efficiency across the board.

We are working hard with customers through the city to provide advice and recommending solutions for compliance. For further information and to discuss your trade waste needs, contact the NWH trade waste team on 03333 20 4000 (option 1, option 2).

About NWH Group

The NWH Group is a second-generation family business headquartered in Midlothian. Serving the whole of Scotland and Newcastle from nine sites, the NWH Group’s vision is to eliminate waste by transforming it into a valuable product. The business currently employs more than 300 staff.

On its mission to eliminate waste, it provides waste collection services to the leisure, retail and construction industries. Collecting waste with its fleet of trade refuse, skip, tipper, grab and walking floor articulated vehicles, transporting materials to its recycling facilities where they are transformed into high value products such as cardboard, paper, washed sands, biomass for energy.

Cleaning up in Edinburgh, Implementation of new Tradewaste Regulations

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