Business Waste & Recycling in Hackney

Running a business in Hackney means dealing with strict waste rules and limited time-bands. First Mile makes Hackney business recycling simple, reliable and sustainable. More than 1,000 local cafés, shops, offices and venues already trust us to keep their waste compliant, their streets clear and their impact low.

From Shoreditch to Stoke Newington, we help you recycle more, send nothing to landfill and show your customers you care about sustainability.

Get in touch for a free quote and to chat with one of our commercial waste experts or order services online in minutes.

Why First Mile is the smart choice for Hackney businesses

If you’re running a business in Hackney, you need a waste partner that understands local rules and the pressures of busy East London streets. First Mile gives you exactly that, with services designed around the needs of Hackney-based businesses.

7-day collections that keep you compliant with Hackney’s strict time-band rules
Ultra-low emission fleet that’s built for ULEZ zones and narrow city streets
Flexible schedules including multiple collections per day with no fixed contracts
Local support from our London-based customer care team
Trusted locally by more than 1,000 Hackney businesses, from cafés in Dalston to offices in Shoreditch

We’re proud to be a certified B Corp and were named Independent Operator of the Year 2024, proving our commitment to sustainability and service. Switching is simple, with fast set-up and no disruption to your day. With First Mile, you get modern, flexible East London waste services that make commercial waste management in Hackney easy.

Other Areas of London we Serve

Central London

From high-frequency collections in the City to specialist services in Westminster, Camden and Islington, we keep the busiest areas moving. Popular with offices, hospitality venues and retailers needing reliable daily or late-night collections.

Boroughs covered: City of London, Westminster.

North London

Flexible recycling and waste collections for retail parks, independent shops and growing co-working spaces.

Boroughs covered: Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington

East London

Supporting a mix of restaurants, creative businesses and office hubs, with zero-to-landfill services that help fast-growing areas meet sustainability goals.

Boroughs covered: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Barking & Dagenham

South London

Trusted by local cafés, gyms and co-working spaces, with tailored collections for food, glass and cardboard recycling alongside general waste.

Boroughs covered: Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, Croydon

West London

From Kensington to Hammersmith, we support shops, serviced offices and larger commercial buildings with complete recycling and waste solutions.

Boroughs covered: Ealing, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham

OUR BENEFITS

Why choose First Mile for waste collection?

Zero to landfill promise

Nothing goes to landfill. We recycle as much as possible, and any non-recyclables are turned into green energy.

7-day collection service

Reliable daily collections across all 33 London boroughs, always within local time band rules.

24/7 UK-based support

Speak to our friendly team any time, or manage everything easily online.

Waste Carrier Licence & ISO accredited

Fully certified, giving you peace of mind your waste is handled responsibly.

Carbon reporting for ESG

Get detailed waste and carbon reports to support your compliance and sustainability goals.

No contracts or long tie-ins

Stay flexible with contract-free services that work around your business.

25+ recycling and waste streams

From food and glass to confidential waste and WEEE, we’ve got every business covered.

Full borough compliance

Local knowledge ensures your collections always meet borough-specific regulations.

Who we work with

National Retailers

We collect from 30,000 locations across the UK and Ireland, providing waste and recycling solutions to a large number of national chains and retailers with multiple sites across geographies.

Commercial Real Estate

We understand the challenges of waste management at multi-tenanted sites, working with clients across commercial real estate on tailor-fit technology to transform waste insights.

Public Sector

We deliver waste solutions to a wide range of Public Sector clients, including hospitals, dentists, universities and more - and we’re on a number of public sector frameworks.

Hospitality Groups

We understand the pace of change in hospitality and work in close partnership with hotels, restaurants and food & beverage groups helping shape and guide industry leading solutions.

Trusted by leading organisations

"First Mile are a partner in driving forward our environmental and sustainability goals. They consistently educate and encourage us to do more, especially when it comes to increasing recycling and helping us navigate changes such as the Simpler Recycling legislation."

Supply Chain Manager

Caffè Nero

"Partnering with First Mile has significantly improved our recycling rates and sustainability practices across our theatres. Their expertise and tailored solutions made the process seamless and effective. We've seen measurable environmental benefits and increased staff engagement. "

Procurement

ATG Entertainment

"First Mile have worked tirelessly to understand how we operate and have continuously adapted to our needs. What sets First Mile apart is the team. From scheduled collections to handling unexpected requests, they've consistently shown a willingness to support our operations."

Compliance Manager

Inditex

"We're very proud of our improvements, which we couldn't have achieved without First Mile. We're now looking forward to adding even more recycling streams, updating our training of staff, and finding more ways to reduce our absolute waste volume."

Sustainability Manager

Grosvenor Estate

"The partnership between GAIL’s and First Mile has demonstrated the value of focused collaboration in delivering meaningful environmental outcomes. Together, we achieved a measurable increase in recycling rates and successfully embedded lasting behavioural change across more than 120 sites. "

Sustainability Team

GAIL's Bakery

"Since First Mile mobilised, our recycling rates have soared. This has been done through a collaborative approach, putting innovation at the forefront. Our partnership with First Mile has proven to be incredibly successful and we look forward to seeing what more we can achieve over the coming months and years."

Account Manager

Savills

Customer stories

How itsu cut costs and boosted recycling rates across 45 stores

As a fast-growing retail chain, itsu wanted a waste management solution that could scale effortlessly across every store nationwide. Working closely with their procurement team, we delivered a smooth switch from their previous provider, streamlined operations, cut costs and drove recycling rates.

Cost savings

+22%pp

Increased recycling rate

99.96%

Collection success from day one

How JPC by Samsic used smarter waste tech to drive engagement

Cleaning specialists JPC by Samsic wanted to transform waste management across their high-profile portfolio, including Chiswick Park and Here East. Through our tech-led partnership, we increased recycling rates, cut contamination, and delivered measurable results using RecycleID™ waste tracking and nando.ai bin sensors—helping engage tenants and make sustainability part of daily life on site.

500

Tonnes of carbon avoided

-15%

Contamination reduction

+65%

Increase recycling rate

How ATG brought innovation and sustainability to the stage

ATG Entertainment set out to deliver one of the UK’s most ambitious, data-driven front-of-house recycling transformations across 35 theatres nationwide. Faced with high contamination rates, we worked together to design a fully customised waste system—complete with bespoke bin stations and clear signage—so staff and audiences alike could make confident, sustainable choices at every performance.

-77%

Contamination reduction

+59%

Front of house recycling

Live entertainment venues

Our Impact

-45%

Lower carbon impact than the industry average

30,000 customers

Happy customers with 200 joining every week

97,000

Tonnes of CO2e avoided in 2025 (so far!)

99.96%

Collection success rate

50+

Waste and recycling streams

20,000

Collections on zero-emission electric cargo bike

Read our Impact Report

Multi-Award Winning Waste Management

Ready to make the switch?

Switching to First Mile is quick and straightforward. Our London based team will help you set up the right service for your site, with collections that meet Hackney time bands. See why more than 1,000 businesses across Shoreditch, Dalston, Homerton and Stoke Newington choose us.

Get a fast, free quote

FAQs

When is business waste collected in Hackney?

First Mile offers collections seven days a week with flexible time slots that match Hackney’s street-specific time-band rules.

What happens if my time-band changes?

Our team keeps track of updates from Hackney Council. If your street rules change, we adjust your collection schedule automatically so you stay compliant without the hassle.

How do I prove I’m compliant?

Every collection comes with a digital Waste Transfer Note. It’s stored safely in your online portal and ready to show inspectors at any time.

Can I get daily or multiple collections?

Yes. Busy cafés, shops and offices in Hackney can book up to three collections a day to keep waste areas clear and compliant.

What does the service cost?

We tailor quotes to your exact needs. Request one online with no obligation. All pricing is transparent, with no contracts or hidden fees.

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