Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How can I dispose of large quantities of glass waste responsibly without paying disposal costs?
Glass disposal typically costs money—it's not like cardboard where you get paid for bales. However, there are a few routes members have identified: - **One-off collections through your existing waste provider** — contact your usual waste collection company to arrange a single collection; this is usually affordable - **Biffa** — if you don't have an existing waste account, they can handle one-off tips and recycling collections - **Allied Glass or similar glass manufacturers** — given current shortages of recycled glass for manufacturers, it may be worth reaching out directly to see if they'll accept large quantities; they might even take it off your hands for free given market conditions - **Your local recycling centre (Smugglers Way or equivalent)** — you can do one-off drop-offs, though large volumes may require a van hire (e.g. ZipVan) depending on quantity Members noted that the UK currently has a shortage of recycled glass and is a net exporter, making glass valuable to domestic manufacturers. Before assuming you'll pay, contact a local glass manufacturer to check if your volume is worth their collection. **Caveat:** Glass disposal is not typically free like some other waste streams. Scale matters—clarify how large your volume is before approaching suppliers, as this affects whether they'll cover collection costs.
How can a bottle return and reuse scheme be managed effectively at scale?
Bottle return schemes are operationally challenging but worthwhile—reuse is significantly better than recycling. One member has run a scheme since 2018 and recovers around 1,000 bottles annually. **Key operational principles:** - **Keep it hyper-local.** The main constraint is logistics: distributors struggle to move stock efficiently in two directions, so national schemes are unrealistic. Successful schemes operate within a tight geographic radius to avoid making extra journeys. - **Incentivise consumer returns directly.** Offer consumers a reason to bring bottles back to your premises (e.g., donation to charity per bottle left on your doorstep). - **Use retail partners as collection hubs.** Partner with local retailers who offer money off to consumers for returns; you reimburse the retailer for each bottle they return to you. This distributes the collection burden. - **Pick up from local on-trade.** Encourage local pubs to keep empty bottles; collect them during regular distribution rounds so the return journey piggybacks on existing trips. **Caveats:** Scaling beyond a local network is extremely difficult given distributor constraints. The scheme works because every collection point is planned into existing delivery routes—additional journeys kill the economics.