Recycling and Sustainability at Storage Upminster
Storage Upminster is committed to operating as sustainably as possible, with a clear focus on eco-friendly waste disposal and responsible, sustainable rubbish removal. From how we manage waste on site to the partners we work with across Havering and neighbouring boroughs, our goal is to minimise what goes to landfill and maximise reuse and recycling for customers using our storage units and associated services.
Our Recycling Percentage Target
We are working towards a minimum recycling and recovery rate of 85 percent for all waste generated through our storage and clearance activities. This target covers everyday items such as cardboard boxes and packaging, as well as bulky items that leave our units as customers move in and out. By focusing on eco-friendly waste disposal and careful sorting, we aim to ensure that only a small fraction of material ends up as residual waste.
To support this target, we encourage customers to separate recyclables whenever possible and use clearly marked recycling points on site. We regularly review our performance and work with local partners to identify new streams that can be recycled or reused rather than disposed of.
Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal Area On Site
Our dedicated eco-friendly waste disposal area has been designed to make it easier for customers to sort and dispose of materials responsibly. Clear signage helps distinguish between general waste and recyclables, so customers can quickly spot where to place items such as cardboard, paper, plastics and metals.
In line with the local borough approach to waste separation, we encourage customers to flatten cardboard, remove non-recyclable wrapping, and keep food-contaminated waste out of mixed recycling. This practical approach reduces contamination, improves recycling quality and helps us maintain our high diversion-from-landfill performance.
Sustainable Rubbish Removal Services
For customers who require items to be cleared from their units, we provide a sustainable rubbish removal service that prioritises reuse and recycling. Before anything is treated as waste, we assess whether it can be donated, refurbished or broken down into recyclable components. This service is particularly useful when clearing homes, offices or storage units after a move, renovation or business closure.
Where disposal is unavoidable, we work only with licensed operators and ensure that materials are handled in accordance with environmental regulations. By integrating responsible sorting into every rubbish removal job, we reduce the environmental impact of each clearance and support local circular economy initiatives.
Local Transfer Stations and Waste Streams
Storage Upminster works closely with local transfer stations serving the Upminster and wider Havering area to ensure that waste is processed efficiently and sustainably. At these facilities, materials are further sorted so that metal, cardboard, paper, certain plastics and wood can be directed to specialist recyclers.
The local boroughs have invested in systems that support source-separated and mixed recycling collections, and we align our internal practices with these same principles. By mirroring the domestic and commercial kerbside approach to separation, we make it easier for customers to recognise what can be recycled and how to dispose of it in a familiar way while using our storage and clearance services.
Partnerships with Charities and Community Reuse
A key part of our sustainable rubbish removal strategy is our focus on reuse before recycling or disposal. We maintain partnerships with local charities and community organisations that welcome suitable donations. Items such as clean furniture, working appliances, office equipment, clothing and household goods can often be given a second life in the community.
When customers tell us they no longer need certain items but would prefer not to throw them away, we can advise on which goods are most likely to be accepted by these organisations. Wherever practical, we route reusable items through these channels, reducing waste, supporting local causes and helping customers feel confident that their belongings are being put to good use.
Low-Carbon Vans and Transport Practices
Transport plays a major role in the environmental impact of storage and rubbish removal. To reduce our carbon footprint, we are investing in a low-carbon van fleet and implementing more efficient route planning. Our aim is to increase the proportion of low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles used for collections and deliveries, particularly for local journeys in and around Upminster.
By consolidating trips where possible and avoiding unnecessary mileage, we reduce both emissions and congestion. Customers using our eco-friendly waste disposal and sustainable rubbish removal services benefit from this lower-impact transport approach, which forms a core part of our wider sustainability strategy.
Recycling Specific Materials from Storage Units
Storage units often contain a wide variety of materials, from personal possessions to business stock. We actively encourage the recycling of specific items that are commonly found in storage, including cardboard packing materials, paper records that have reached the end of their retention period, metal shelving, certain plastics and redundant electronic equipment.
Where local guidance allows, we help customers direct electronic items towards approved recycling routes, so that components such as metals and cables can be recovered rather than discarded. We also highlight the need to keep hazardous materials out of general waste, in line with local borough rules and environmental regulations.
Working with Local Borough Recycling Policies
Havering and neighbouring boroughs have clear strategies for increasing recycling rates and reducing landfill. Storage Upminster supports these goals by mirroring local guidance on waste separation and providing customers with simple messages about what can be recycled. Customers familiar with their home kerbside collections will recognise similar categories in our eco-friendly waste disposal area, making the process straightforward and familiar.
We monitor changes in local recycling policies and adjust our own practices where necessary, ensuring that the materials we collect are compatible with current transfer station and reprocessor requirements. This means we can maintain high recycling levels while complying fully with environmental and waste management regulations.
Our Ongoing Commitments
We view sustainability as an ongoing commitment rather than a one-off project. Storage Upminster will continue to refine its eco-friendly waste disposal systems, expand sustainable rubbish removal options, increase the use of low-carbon vans and deepen its partnerships with charities and local recycling facilities.
By choosing Storage Upminster, customers gain not only secure storage and professional clearance services but also the assurance that their waste is handled with care for the environment and support for the local community.
