Holiday Home Waste Management Guide

Holiday home waste management is an important factor when it comes to holiday letting. Holiday homeowners often live a long distance from their holiday let or are unable to visit consistently.

So, bearing this in mind, how do you keep on top of your property’s waste collection, and what are your responsibilities? You may feel you need to use a waste collection service to assist in managing your holiday let.

Why is holiday let waste management important?

Businesses in the UK have a legal responsibility for the waste they generate. They must make sure all rubbish is disposed of correctly, and must limit the damage your business has on the environment.

You must ensure your holiday let waste is kept to a minimum, by reusing and recycling when possible. Many owners arrange to have rubbish collected by the council, or by a private commercial waste collection service to help with this.

The Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 states that holiday lets and self-catering accommodation are not permitted to use the local council’s household collection service due to qualifying as a business. This is regardless of the number of days you let your property out per year.

The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires all holiday accommodation to take steps to separate the following materials for collection:

• Glass

• Metal

• Plastic

• Cardboard

• Paper

What waste needs to be collected?

Your general waste bin is where your guests will dispose of much of their rubbish. These are items that you wouldn’t usually look to recycle, and that will often end up in a landfill.

You should highlight to guests about separating your waste to maximise recycling opportunities.

Below are materials that should be highlighted as being recyclable:

• Cardboard

• Paper

• Glass containers

• Glass bottles

• Plastic bottles

• Plastic containers

Food waste

Food waste must be disposed of in containers or boxes that can be sealed, and these should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. They also need to be stored correctly to keep them free from animals.

Food waste can also be used for composting. It is a natural process of turning food waste into rich food for your garden.

Items such as cardboard, paper bags and vegetable peelings can help make sure your compost bin gets the right mix.

How is my holiday let waste collected?

The first step is to make sure the waste removal service is registered and licensed. Collection of the waste is an essential part of the process, it is the responsibility of the owner to make sure the rubbish is disposed of legally.

Collections can be flexible depending on your property’s schedule, waste collections can take place daily or weekly. You can also book specific days for collection.

Timing is essential when scheduling bin collections, and a good first impression is key. Make it clear to your guests when waste and recycling will be collected, you could ask them politely if they will put the waste out on the allocated day.

Please be aware: For each load of waste removed off your premises, you need a waste transfer note or documentation, such as an invoice, for each collection.

This is provided by the waste management company and must be signed.

It is a legally required document, and you are required to keep copies of all waste transfer notes and waste transfer information for at least two years as proof for the council. More information can be found on GOV.UK

Reducing your holiday let waste collection costs

Waste collection costs

Recycling has become an important part of reducing waste. Each local council can have different options for recycling.

Having a clear and structured plan for guests at the property would help make sure all rubbish is disposed of correctly.

This can include:

• A bin schedule in the welcome pack with clear dates for collection.

• Labelled bins or bags, each highlighting a different type of waste.

• Providing a range of bins for guests to use. This will encourage them to recycle items such as paper, cardboard, and plastics.

• Add reminders in the property about recycling. This will help maximise the properties recycling possibilities.

• Make sure all items are stored in a secure location, not visible to animals or able to be knocked over in strong gales.

• Providing covers or shelter for waste storage. Rain could prevent the waste from being recycled.

• Adding a food waste bin, as certain food waste can be used in the property’s garden via a compost bin.

• Specific companies may offer outdoor storage units to keep bins hidden. They can also provide wheelie bins and recycling boxes.

Do not consider trying to leave refuse along with neighbours for kerbside collections. Local councils are wise to businesses attempting to do this. Fines could be implemented if caught.