Recycling FAQs to answer your pressing queries

Our site audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your business’s waste streams and existing waste management procedures. Our experienced team will:

• Visit your premises, identifying and categorising all waste types generated by your operations
• Evaluate your current waste handling procedures, highlighting areas where improvements can be made
• Determine potential recycling and resource recovery opportunities that are tailored to your specific business needs

Recommendations will be provided for optimising your waste management, including appropriate container selection and collection schedules to ensure compliance. The overall aim is to deliver a detailed understanding of your waste streams and create a customised plan that maximises recycling and minimises landfill waste.

The waste we collect undergoes a meticulous sorting and processing procedure. Recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics and cardboard, are separated and prepared for reprocessing into new products. Non-recyclable materials are processed for Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) production, which is used to generate energy, significantly reducing landfill reliance. We prioritise sustainable practices and aim to maximise resource recovery from all waste streams.

Yes, we work with businesses of all sizes, from small local enterprises to large national corporations. We understand that each business has unique waste management needs, and we offer tailored solutions to accommodate those differences. Our services are scalable and adaptable, ensuring that businesses of any size can benefit from our expertise and commitment to sustainability. We are proud to serve a diverse range of sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare and retail, providing each with a dedicated and efficient recycling service.

The company was officially registered as ‘Riverdale Waste Paper Ltd’ in 1985 and became ‘Riverdale Paper PLC’ in 1993, meaning we have over 40 years of experience in the waste management and recycling industry. You can learn more about our history and values here.

We hold the following certifications:

• ISO 14001: Demonstrating our commitment to environmental management
• ISO 9001: Showing our dedication to quality management systems
• BS EN 15713: Ensuring secure destruction of confidential material

We are also a founding member of the United Kingdom Security Shredding Association (UKSSA) and are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

These certifications reflect our commitment to providing reliable, compliant and environmentally responsible services.

To provide you with an accurate and tailored quote, we typically conduct a free site audit. This allows us to assess your specific waste streams and understand your business’s unique requirements. Following the audit, we will provide you with a comprehensive quote that outlines the most efficient and cost-effective waste management solutions for your business.

Please contact us to schedule your free site audit, and we’ll begin the process of developing a customised waste management plan for you.

Plastic recycling starts with the collection and careful sorting of waste by polymer type, followed by rigorous cleaning to eliminate impurities. Processing methods involve shredding and melting plastics into pellets, which are then used to manufacture new products. For example, we shred and granulate HDPE, sourced from various industries, bagging and transferring the resulting re-grind and granulate for downstream extrusion. This process effectively transforms waste into valuable raw materials for new plastic goods.

To effectively dispose of your plastic waste, we recommend a structured approach. When you choose our plastic recycling services, we will first conduct a site audit to assess your waste generation and recommend the most suitable storage solutions. We provide a range of containers, including 660-1100 litre wheelie bins and 8yd3-10yd3 FELs. For businesses producing large volumes of plastic, we offer waste compaction services to reduce volume and optimise collection. Our roll-on-off compactors are ideal for this.

UK businesses must comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990’s duty of care, the Environment Act 2021’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and the Simpler Recycling scheme, which standardises recycling collections. The Landfill Tax and Plastic Packaging Tax also encourage recycling. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines.

RIC 7 plastics, mixed plastics, bioplastics, cling film and blister packs are often not recyclable in standard UK systems, but it’s important to check local council guidelines. Contamination with food or other substances also reduces recyclability.

Our facilities are equipped to handle a wide variety of commercial plastic waste. This includes single-source polymer plastics, rigid HDPE, poly film (98/02 and 90/10), rigid PET and compressed polystyrene/EPS. We also process diverse other polymers, preparing them for extrusion and recycling into new plastic products.

Our advanced facilities and meticulous sorting techniques ensure efficient processing and maximise the recovery of valuable resources, regardless of the plastic type.

We operate under a Zero Waste to Landfill policy. This means we focus on diverting plastic waste from landfills by transforming it into valuable resources. Our processes are designed to maximise material recovery and minimise environmental impact.

By utilising advanced technologies and adhering to strict quality control, we ensure that your plastic waste is processed responsibly, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the need for virgin plastic production.

Recycled paper is collected, sorted, shredded, and mixed with water to create pulp. This pulp is cleaned, de-inked if necessary and refined. The resulting fibres are then pressed, dried, and rolled into new paper products. Our team ensures efficient handling throughout this process.

For businesses, recycling paper enhances your corporate social responsibility, improves your public image and can lower waste disposal costs. Recycling paper significantly reduces deforestation, conserves energy and water, minimises landfill waste and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps create jobs and supports a more sustainable, circular economy.

Recycled paper is mainly used to create new paper and cardboard products like newspapers and packaging. When fibres degrade, they’re repurposed into items like egg cartons or used for crafts. As a last resort, unusable fibres can be converted into bioenergy.

Yes. Beyond our standard paper recycling services, we offer a dedicated and certified secure shredding service. We ensure your confidential documents are completely destroyed, protecting your sensitive information and complying with data protection regulations. Our process is thorough and auditable, giving you peace of mind.

We handle a comprehensive range of paper and cardboard grades, from standard office paper and confidential documents to high-volume corrugated cardboard and packaging materials. We understand the diverse needs of businesses and ensure efficient collection and processing for all paper types, promoting both sustainability and secure disposal where needed.

We provide tailored solutions for businesses with high volumes of paper waste. We provide free site audits to assess your current waste management practices and identify areas for improvement. We offer flexible collection schedules, a range of container sizes and efficient processing capabilities to streamline your recycling operations. Our strategically located facilities and experienced team ensure timely and reliable service, minimising disruptions and maximising recycling rates for your business.

This depends on the volume generated by your business, but regular, scheduled disposal is recommended, with highly sensitive data disposed of immediately. Secure storage and periodic audits are also essential to maintain compliance and minimise risk.

No, you should never do this. Data protection laws, such as GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act 2018, require businesses to take appropriate measures to protect sensitive information. Disposing of confidential waste in regular recycling bins poses significant security risks, including data breaches, identity theft and legal violations.

First, ensure all sensitive documents and materials are separated from regular waste and placed in designated, secure confidential waste bins. For proper disposal, hire a professional, licensed waste carrier specialising in confidential waste destruction, such as Riverdale. Arrange a collection schedule that suits your needs. Upon collection and destruction, always request and retain a waste transfer note or certificate of destruction. This documentation serves as proof of compliant disposal and protects your business in case of any future inquiries or audits.

Our secure shredding process is handled exclusively by fully vetted, permanent employees. Each team member undergoes advanced criminal record checks and carries company identification. Our secure collection vehicles, equipped with live tracking, and our adherence to BS EN15713 standards guarantee the highest level of security and trust.

Yes, we offer both on-site and off-site secure shredding services. Our on-site mobile shredding service brings our state-of-the-art shredding equipment directly to your location, allowing you to witness the destruction of your confidential documents firsthand. This provides an added layer of security and convenience for businesses with sensitive information that requires immediate destruction.

We can securely destroy a wide range of materials, including paper documents of all types (financial records, legal documents, personnel files, etc.), hard drives, digital media (E.G. tapes and CDs) and even branded packaging. We understand the importance of protecting your information and brand integrity, and we offer comprehensive shredding and data destruction solutions to meet your needs.

Incoming waste, from various sources, is initially processed at our recycling sites, where recoverable materials are extracted. The remaining waste is then transformed through shredding, treatment, and compression into RDF. This prepared fuel is subsequently combusted at high temperatures, typically around 850°C, within a specialised chamber. The resulting heat, with the addition of oxygen, generates steam, which is then harnessed to produce energy.

Refuse-Derived Fuel finds application in diverse energy recovery systems, notably in combined heat and power plants for generating both electricity and municipal heating. Additionally, it serves as a fuel source in processes like cement kiln operations, plasma arc gasification, and pyrolysis.

RDF is a beneficial commercial waste management option because it reduces landfill use by converting non-recyclable materials into renewable energy. For businesses aiming for sustainability, this complements other waste-to-energy methods.

We offer comprehensive waste management solutions designed to handle diverse waste streams efficiently. Through our free site audits, we assess your specific waste generation and provide tailored solutions for collection, sorting and processing. We offer a variety of container options and flexible collection schedules to meet your business’s unique needs. By focusing on maximising recycling and RDF production, we help businesses minimise landfill waste, reduce disposal costs and comply with environmental regulations, ensuring a streamlined and sustainable waste management process.

Before considering RDF, businesses should strive to reduce waste generation, reuse materials when possible and recycle as much waste as feasible. This starts with proper storage and handling. We offer a variety of container options and tailored collection services to support businesses in separating waste into different streams. To book a site audit and find out how we can help you with your business waste, please contact us.

We provide comprehensive waste management solutions to a wide range of business sectors, including but not limited to manufacturing, retail, construction, office environments and the public sector. We understand that each sector has unique waste management challenges and requirements and we offer specialised solutions for recycling and general waste management.