Biffa Recycling FAQ

NOTE: IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING WTNs FOR 2023-24. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ.

1. Who’s eligible to redeem the discounted rate from Biffa?

2. I still have some First Mile bags I got form Make It Ealing, can I continue to use them?

3. Will I continue to get free recycling bags from the Make It Ealing office?

4. How often will kerbside recycling be picked up?

5. I’m using a lot of bags, and it’s getting expensive. Are there any alternatives?

6. Why are you switching to Biffa?

7. How do I order more bags, tape etc.?

8. I’m having trouble with Biffa, who do I contact regarding my issues?

9. WTNs

10. Tape for Cardboard Collection

 

1. Who’s eligible to redeem the discounted rate from First Mile or Biffa?

The discounted rate is available to all BID levy-paying businesses within the defined BID area.

2. I still have some Make It Ealing Biffa bags, can I continue to use them?

Please make us aware of how many bags you have left so we can allocate a time scale of collection services.

3. Will I continue to get free recycling bags from the Make It Ealing office?

Every business can get a discounted rate from our waste suppliers as a BID levy payer. We support independent businesses with a free allocation of dry mixed recycling bags proportional to 20% of the BID levy they pay per BID financial year. For example, paying £200 in the BID levy will make you eligible for £40 worth of bags. If you require more bags than the free allocation they can be purchased at a discounted rate, only available to BID levy payers through First Mile and Biffa. Businesses have to register with the waste supply companies and have an account registered to their business.

Please note: the free allocation of bags is eligible for kerbside pickup only, and is subject to your account being up-to-date with no outstanding debt.

4. How often will kerbside recycling be picked up?

Collection will start off at 7 days a week, with the expectation that this will be scaled back based on demand, and the impact on the environment. Collections for bags that are bought directly from Biffa, using your own account, can be booked via the Biffa customer portal (more information below).

5. I’m using a lot of bags, and it’s getting expensive. Are there any alternatives?

Yes. If you find yourself using a lot of bags, Biffa are also offering BID businesses various collection bins at discounted rates. More information about pricing can be found here, and can be set up by contacting our Biffa liaison (more information below).

6. Why are you switching to Biffa?

Biffa are offering BID members a better pricing plan, for bigger bags, that will ultimately result in more savings compared to First Mile. That, in addition to Biffa’s commitment to zero waste to landfill, made us realise it was the right time to make the change.

7. How do I order more bags, tape etc.?

You’ll have to set up a customer portal with Biffa. This can be done by contacting one of our Biffa liaisons, who will help onboard your business:

Sunny Raval
p: 07860 952372, 07378 866043
e: sunny.raval@biffa.co.uk

Just make sure to mention that you’re a MIE/BID business
 

8. I’m having trouble with Biffa, who do I contact regarding my issues?

If you do find yourself having trouble with collections, ordering new bags, or anything else please don’t hesitate to contact the MIE office. We’re your key point of contact and we’ll do whatever we can to help you figure it out. We can be contacted via phone: 020 8567 7854, or via email: support@makeitealing.co.uk

9. WTNs

Businesses, by law, have to evidence how they dispose of their daily business waste. This is done via a WTN. Companies unable to produce a general waste WTN or caught leaving black bin bags out with residential waste will be fined. Despite many arguments, a business can’t be 100% recyclable, e.g. floor-sweeping. A recycling WTN provided by Make It Ealing will not satisfy the council’s general waste requirements.  More details on the council website here.

You can download a copy of your 23-24 recycling WTN and the accompanying service contract with your business name by clicking the link below. If you face any issues with this WTN from Ealing Council, please get in touch with us via phone: 020 8567 7854, or via email: support@makeitealing.co.uk

10. Tape for Cardboard Collection

From the 31st May 2024, Make It Ealing will no longer be providing cardboard bundle collection using Biffa tape. Cardboard collection will instead be implemented into the recycling bag collection. This is a decision taken in part because it is more economical in the long temr to only use bags and it also stops the misuse of tape.

Unless you have your own contract with Biffa for cardboard collection, please do not leave any cardboard on the kerb as it will not be collected and you will risk incurring a fine form Ealing Council. If you would like to continue with cardboard collection, and would like to set up an account, please contact Sunny Raval using the details above.

What can be included as Dry Mixed Recycling? 

Dry Mixed recycling can include the following;

  • Paper – paper waste, newspapers, office paper and magazines
  • Cardboard – corrugated cardboard, cereal boxes and card
  • Metal cans – empty drinks cans and food tins
  • Plastic – rinsed out milk bottles, empty drinks bottles & clean salad trays, rinsed out margarine tubs & microwaveable meal trays
  • The above materials must be contained in clear plastic Biffa sacks 

Unacceptable Materials;

  • General Waste, excluded waste & black bin bags
  • Waxed paper cups (takeaway cups from most high street coffee chains)
  • Crisp packets and sweet wrappers
  • Food and canteen waste
  • Glass and ceramics
  • Textiles or lengths of strapping
  • Hard and rigid plastics (e.g. window frames, pipes, drums or other bulky non-compactable plastic items)
  • Containers with any residue of food or hazardous material (e.g. paint tins or bleach bottles)
  • Medical Waste