50% of All Business Waste Is Paper. Is Your Company Managing It Properly?
A simple fact businesses can’t ignore
Around 50% of all business waste consists of paper products. That includes printed documents, packaging, post, cardboard, envelopes and confidential paperwork.
For many organisations, paper waste is produced every single day — often in large volumes — yet it’s one of the most recyclable materials businesses handle.
When paper waste isn’t managed properly, it doesn’t just increase landfill waste. It increases collection costs, storage issues, compliance risks, and missed sustainability targets.
Contents
What counts as paper waste in a business?
Paper waste isn’t just office printing. It typically includes:
- Printed documents and reports
- Packaging and cardboard
- Junk mail and envelopes
- Shredded and confidential paperwork
- School and administrative paper waste
For larger offices, schools, warehouses and public sector buildings, this can quickly add up to tonnes of waste each year.
Why paper waste ends up being overlooked
Often seen as “less harmful” than plastic or food waste. Because of that, it’s commonly:
- Mixed with general waste
- Stored inefficiently
- Collected more often than necessary
- Disposed of without segregation
Despite being highly recyclable, large volumes of business paper still end up in landfill.
The impact on cost and compliance
Poor paper waste management can lead to:
- Higher waste collection costs
- Inefficient bin use and over-collection
- Increased landfill charges
- Missed environmental reporting targets
- Data protection risks where confidential waste is involved
For schools, councils and regulated businesses, this can also raise compliance concerns.
How better paper recycling helps businesses
Putting the right paper recycling systems in place allows businesses to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill while improving overall recycling rates. When paper is separated correctly from general waste, it becomes easier to manage, store and collect efficiently. This often leads to fewer collections, better use of bin space and lower waste handling costs over time.
Improved recycling also helps organisations meet environmental targets and reporting requirements, particularly for businesses, schools and public sector bodies with sustainability or compliance obligations. Where confidential paperwork is involved, having a defined paper recycling process reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures sensitive material is handled securely and responsibly.
How CDDL Recycling can help
CDDL Recycling provides tailored paper recycling solutions designed around how each organisation actually produces waste. Rather than applying a generic approach, we assess volumes, waste types and site requirements to put the right segregation and collection systems in place. This ensures paper waste is recycled efficiently, collections are scheduled appropriately, and disruption to day-to-day operations is kept to a minimum.
We work with businesses, schools and public sector organisations to manage high volumes of paper waste, including confidential material, in a compliant and practical way. Our focus is on improving recycling performance, reducing unnecessary waste costs and helping organisations manage waste properly — not just removing it.
