All you need to know about starting a recycling company for plastics waste

People are becoming more environmentally aware than ever before, which is one of the reasons why new business opportunities in the recycling industry are opening up. But where do you begin if you want to start your own recycling company? Fortunately, we’ve put together this guide to assist you and to tell you what you need to know about starting a plastic recycling company.

How do I start a plastic recycling business?

The first step in starting your plastic recycling company is to learn about the rules and regulations in your area about waste management and recycling. Recycling and waste management are also subject to various regulatory criteria, which differ depending on where you are in the world.

The consequences of failing to obey plastic waste management laws can be serious, so it’s worth seeking advice from industry organizations and local environmental authorities. Plastic recycling can be highly profitable if you follow all of the rules and regulations. Applying for planning permission for any property you want to use and arranging to license for your company and any vehicles you’ll be using are two of the first steps in starting a recycling business.

Which recycling business is most profitable?

Recycling has developed into a multibillion-dollar industry with numerous benefits. There are several different types of recycling businesses, each with its own degree of profitability, but the most successful recycling businesses are waste paper recycling businesses.

Waste paper recycling needs very little processing or sorting because all types of waste paper can be de-inked (a chemical method that removes any inks or glosses from the paper), shredded, and pulped for future manufacturing. That also means that starting a waste paper business requires very little capital.  Waste paper recycling has the highest yield of any recycling business since recycled paper pulp can be used for a number of purposes.

Electronic waste recycling is a near second, albeit for the opposite reasons as waste paper recycling. Electronics such as televisions, cell phones, and household appliances, in addition to scrap metals, also contain small quantities of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, and palladium. Electronic waste recycling, when done in bulk, will bring in a lot of money. However, recovering precious metals from electronics can be a time-consuming and difficult process that often necessitates a significant upfront investment.

How do recycling businesses make a profit?

While how a recycling company earns money varies depending on the type of material it recycles, almost all recycling companies benefit from two sources: recycling collection fees and resale income of recycled recyclates.

Collections are the easiest way for a recycling business to make profits. A business may enter into arrangements with other businesses or local authorities to handle the disposal of a business or household recycling for a fee, ensuring that the material is safely collected from the premises and recycled elsewhere. It’s also simple to make money by selling recycled materials that have been processed. Since the price of new, or “virgin,” materials fluctuates – the price of plastic, for example, is often linked to the price of oil – manufacturers often turn to recycled materials as a more sustainable, and generally less expensive, option. As a result, the cost of recycled products rises, making the recycling business more efficient.

 

How do I start a small recycling business?

To begin your own recycling business, you must first register with the relevant authorities. After you’ve gathered all of your tax and legal documents, you’ll be able to apply for all of the permits and licenses you’ll need to run a recycling business in your region.

You should start looking at purchasing premises and vehicles for your business after you’ve met all of the regulatory criteria, whether it’s storage and sorting facilities or a small lock-up for smaller-scale recycling. Business locations and vehicles will have their own set of rules, so be sure to look into them before determining what kind of facilities you’ll need.