Retailers are under growing pressure in 2025 to manage waste more responsibly. From tighter ESG reporting and the introduction of Simpler Recycling Reforms to rising consumer expectations, sustainability is now a central facet of retail businesses.
In this guide, we look at why retail waste is under the spotlight and share five practical ways to cut waste and boost recycling in your business today.
Why retail waste is under the spotlight in 2025
Environmental concerns around the retail industry aren’t new. Fast fashion in particular has come under scrutiny, from the volume of clothing ending up in landfill to the emissions caused by deliveries and returns. But it’s not the only issue. Consumers are also demanding more sustainable packaging, both in terms of recyclability and the amount of recycled content used.
In the UK, retailers now face stricter rules on waste separation under the new Simpler Recycling Reforms. While large retailers continue to work towards ambitious ESG goals, smaller stores have an opportunity to stand out by demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices.
What types of waste are common in retail operations?
Whether you’re a flagship store, part of a chain or a small independent shop, you’ll naturally produce retail waste. This can include:
- Packaging from deliveries and online orders, including cardboard and plastic wrapping
- Unsold or damaged stock that can’t be resold
- Visual merchandising and display materials
- Paper and admin waste
- Customer-facing waste, including disposable bags, till receipts and wrappers
- Food waste from staff kitchens or lunch breaks, even if you don’t sell food directly
5 smart ways to cut waste and improve recycling in-store
Looking to reduce waste and boost sustainability in your retail space? These five practical tips can help you make simple, effective changes — starting today:
Smarter packaging choices
Packaging plays a major role in retail waste. If your store still uses single-use plastic, bubble wrap, or polystyrene for deliveries, it’s time to reassess. Start by working with your existing suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging and look at how you can use more recyclable materials. A switch to recyclable or compostable packaging options is the way to go. You could also look to find new suppliers that offer more sustainable packaging solutions that better align with your business values.
In-store, offer reusable bags or containers and encourage customers to use them repeatedly. It’s an easy, visible step that customers appreciate.
Supplier return schemes
Returning crates, containers, or packaging to your suppliers is a simple way to cut down on waste.
Another option is to partner with brands offering closed-loop packaging or take-back schemes. This is where plastic packaging is collected and recycled, with the recycled plastic then used to manufacture new packaging for the same purpose.
Better bin placement in-store
Effective recycling in retail stores starts with well-placed, clearly labelled bins. To comply with the Simpler Recycling Reforms, you’ll need separate bins for glass, metal, plastic, paper and cardboard, metal, food waste, and general waste.
Place bins in accessible areas like staff rooms, behind tills, and any customer zones. You could also consider coffee cup recycling points if customers regularly come into your shop with a coffee in hand.
Staff training
Even the best recycling system can fail without buy-in from your team. Make sure staff know how to separate waste, why it matters, and how to avoid contamination.
Ongoing training and regular check-ins help reinforce the message. Appointing sustainability champions in-store can also give your green goals momentum, while covering recycling during onboarding helps embed it from day one.
Scheduled waste collections
Working with a waste partner like First Mile ensures your bins are emptied before they overflow, with collections available up to seven days a week.
Schedule pickups around your opening hours to avoid clutter during busy periods, and increase your collections during peak trading seasons. From cardboard to mixed recycling, we make it easy to stay on top of your store’s waste.
How does First Mile support sustainable retail waste management?
At First Mile, we offer a complete range of retail waste management solutions to help you build sustainability into every part of your business.
Our waste collection solutions are created with simpler recycling in mind. We can tailor them to the specifics of your business, whether you’re a large retailer with plenty of packaging waste or a smaller business with more run-of-the-mill waste needs.
We provide colour-coded bins with clear signage, and can set up commercial waste collections as many times a week as you need (our collections are flexible and can work around store hours). Need to securely dispose of sensitive information? Our shredding service takes care of any confidential paperwork. Got old tills, card machines or tech to get rid of? We’ll take care of that too, thanks to our WEEE recycling service for retailers.
At First Mile, we have a zero-to-landfill guarantee, with clear, transparent end destinations so you know exactly what happens to your waste once it's been collected. Your waste data is available through our carbon reporting, and it’s easy to get started with ongoing support.
Aligning your sustainability goals with customer expectations
Sustainability is now a major influence on customer behaviour. According to data from McKinsey & Company, around 66% of customers consider sustainability when they make a purchase. And 72% are actively choosing more sustainable products than they were five years ago. That trend is only growing.
If you can show your business to be sustainable, you can stand out in crowded marketplaces.
Make sure your environmental efforts are visible. Highlight your recycling initiatives in-store and talk about your waste reduction goals online. Clear messaging across your physical space and social platforms can help build trust, boost brand perception and encourage loyalty among environmentally conscious shoppers.
Ready to simplify your retail waste?
Looking to streamline waste across your store or chain? Explore our eco-friendly solutions to waste management in retail and find out how First Mile helps retailers across the UK cut waste, stay compliant, and hit sustainability goals.
