Understanding Waste Streams: What They Are and Why They Matter
A waste stream refers to a specific category of waste, usually defined by the material type or disposal requirements. The UK government and the Environment Agency classify waste streams to help businesses manage their output in a way that’s safe, legal and environmentally sound.
Common waste streams include:
- General waste
- Dry mixed recycling
- Food waste
- Glass
- Wood and furniture
- Hazardous waste
- Confidential waste
- Construction and bulky waste
Each of these materials needs a tailored collection and disposal solution and mixing them together can be a costly mistake, both in terms of environmental impact and legal compliance.
Our Approach: Responsible, Compliant, and Zero to Landfill
At CD Waste, we’ve built our business on the belief that responsible waste disposal is non-negotiable. Every collection we carry out is carefully sorted, processed and directed through the appropriate waste treatment route.
This includes:
- Recycling and material recovery
- Reuse and repurposing (where possible)
- Energy-from-waste solutions
- Hazardous waste containment and specialist processing
We operate with a 100% landfill diversion policy, ensuring that none of the waste we collect ends up in landfill. This helps our clients reduce their environmental footprint, meet sustainability targets, and maintain regulatory compliance.
What Kind of Waste Do We Collect?
Chances are, if your business produces it, we can collect it. Our services cover a wide range of commercial and industrial waste, including:
- General mixed waste
- Food waste and organic materials
- Glass, paper, cardboard, and plastics
- Wood, pallets and broken furniture
- Construction and demolition debris
- Paint, adhesives, chemicals and solvents
- Fluorescent tubes and lighting waste
- Coffee cups, cans, and catering disposables
- Mattresses, white goods and WEEE items
We also support clients with emergency clearances and multi-stream waste strategies across sites and sectors.

Unsure What You Need? We’ll Sort It.
We understand that choosing the right waste service isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re dealing with different types of waste across multiple locations.
Our team offers practical, expert advice based on your business needs. We can assess your waste output, review your current setup and recommend a smarter, more cost-effective solution. Whether it’s wheelie bins, skips, ROROs or something bespoke, we’ll help you make sense of it.
Not all waste is the same. Don’t treat it like it is. Let’s talk.
At CD Waste, we believe great waste management should be simple, reliable and tailored to your needs. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large site, we take the hassle out of collections and make sure your waste is handled properly from start to finish. With friendly support, flexible services and a no-fuss approach, we’re here to make waste one less thing to worry about.