For many smaller businesses, doing the right thing for recycling and sustainability can be a challenge.
Concerns about investment, space for bins and manpower can be challenging, but e-commerce specialist WN Shipping is proof that you can actually save money simply by adopting different recycling methods.
The Berkshire-based company handles shipping and distribution needs for organisations around the world and, as a result, produces a vast amount of cardboard waste.
Up until November 2024, it treated all its waste materials as general waste. That meant although the waste was being sent to Grundon’s Energy from Waste (EfW) facility where it generates electricity, recyclable materials such as cardboard were not being recycled.
A conversation with Ben Grindon from Grundon, which handled its waste, persuaded them that by implementing small recycling measures they could both save money and make an environmental difference too.
Nine months on, WN Shipping is already showing impressive monthly financial savings and is on track to save at least £2,600 on its total waste costs for 2025. At the same time, by sending the cardboard for recycling, thousands of kgs of CO2e are now being saved too.
Luke Tweddell from WN Shipping said: “As a small company with a big customer base, time and resources are always tight, which is why we thought it was easier to throw all our rubbish into the same containers.
“Ben showed us that cardboard is actually a resource and that, by separating out all our cardboard and sending it to be recycled instead, we would be saving money rather than spending it – I’m pleased to say he was absolutely right.”
Luke Tweddell
WN Shipping
Ben explains: “When I looked at the content of their bins originally, I could see there was so much cardboard that was literally going to waste. Not only was it not being recycled, but because general waste bins usually cost more to dispose of due to their weight, the bulk was adding to their costs.
“This is a really good example of how making small operational changes can generate noticeable cost savings and deliver environmental benefits too. We’re very proud of the difference they have achieved in such a short space of time.”