Small-Scale Shredding Business from a Rented Unit

Local small businesses, solicitors, accountants, landlords and households clearing out old paperwork or office archives.

Priced per box or sack or by weight, with minimum charges for collections. Regular customers can be put on a scheduled collection plan.

• Careful, discreet handling of sensitive material
• Organising collections and tracking batches
• Basic bookkeeping
• Customer service

• Check the lease permits the use, and whether you need planning permission or business rates for the unit
• Check whether you need a waste carrier registration, and whether an environmental permit or exemption applies to storing and processing waste paper
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for the stock, equipment and goods in your care
• Data protection duties under UK GDPR, so keep the unit secure and consider a data protection fee with the ICO
• Noise and dust from industrial shredders, so check with your landlord and council
• Recycling income for shredded paper can vary, so don't rely on it

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your van, shredder, unit and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes for equipment and the unit before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many regular business clients you win and how often you collect. Recycling income for shredded paper can vary, so don't rely on it.

Check that your lease permits the use, and whether planning permission or business rates apply. Check waste carrier registration, any environmental permit or exemption, insurance, UK GDPR duties and the ICO data protection fee. Also ask your landlord and council about noise and dust.