‘Recycling is a booming business’

Published: 06 August, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

BUSINESSES who don’t “shop around” for the best re-cycling operator are wasting thousands of pounds a year, according to Islington’s Chamber of Commerce.

Project Officer Clare Matheson, who has researched commercial waste, revealed that, like everything else today – be it is gas, electricity or insurance – there are a huge amount of competitive deals about.

The borough’s businesses have to pay for the removal and recycling of thousands of tons of waste paper, cardboard, food and packaging each year. Ms Matheson, who has worked in the sector for eight years, will advise firms for free about the cheapest options.

“I’ve been running this project since December,” she said. “I’ve advised more than 100 companies, including large firms and charities. I’ve discovered the majority can save money by shopping around for re-cycling. At one food shop I visited the owner was paying £360 a year to recycle his waste. Using my database I managed to find a company to do the job for about £200.”

Islington Council does have a preferred contractor to collect waste from businesses, but, says Ms Matheson, they are not always the cheapest. 

“Recycling is very big business these days,” she added. 

• A free hotline has been set up but Ms Matheson is paid out of an Islington Council grant which finishes next March. Contact Ms Matheson on: 020 7527 3568 or email cmatheson@islchamber.org.uk