How to start a bin cleaning business

If you’re excited to be your own boss and are wondering how to start a bin cleaning business, we’re here to help. In this guide, we look at the steps to start your business and tips to consider along the way.

Starting any new business is exciting and running your own company can be hugely rewarding. But, how do you start a bin cleaning business? And also, why could it be an option?

With an estimated 28.4 million households in the UK*, that is a lot of waste being produced. That also means a lot of bins.

An often grubby, but necessary task, many people are now choosing to outsource work like bin cleaning. With existing customer interest, doesn't it make sense to start a niche business in this area?

We’ll talk you through the various steps to make the first steps, as well as tips for choosing a bin cleaning business name. So, let’s get started…

Starting a bin cleaning business - step-by-step

To help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide for how to start a wheelie bin cleaning business in the UK:

Research the market

As with any new business, it’s important to understand if there’s a demand for the services you’re planning to offer.

• Assess whether residential, commercial, or council contracts would offer you the best opportunities

• See if there are competitors already offering bin cleaning services in your area – if so, review their pricing and the services they offer

• Identify who your target audience will be, e.g. will you focus on residential areas, businesses, or both?

Being familiar with the bin cleaning market before you get started will help you offer services that potential customers are looking for.

Create a business plan

A key step in starting a bin cleaning business is planning.

The process of creating a comprehensive business plan will help you cover key bases, such as:

• Choosing your business structure of sole trader vs limited company

• Estimating your initial start-up costs (equipment, vehicle, licensing, marketing), expected revenue, and how you plan to make a profit

• A strategy for growing your business once you’re established, such as offering additional services or hiring a team

You can never be too prepared when starting a new bin cleaning business, so take time to create a thorough business plan. You’ll be glad you did.

Not sure where to start? Why not download our free template to get you started.

Register your business

Once you have a plan ready and you’ve chosen your business structure, it’s time to formally register your business:

• Register with HMRC as either a sole trader or limited company

• For a limited company you’ll also need to register with Companies House

• Register for VAT if your estimated annual turnover is more than £85,000

Getting your new bin cleaning venture registered with the relevant authorities is a key part of small business compliance.

Apply for relevant waste licences or permits

When dealing with waste you may need to have certain licences or permits.

This will depend on the exact services you’re planning to offer, so do your homework to find out which ones might apply. For example:

• Waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, or SEPA (Scotland)

• Trade effluent consent issued by your local water company and needed if you’re discharging any wastewater into public sewers

• Local authority approval may also be needed, depending on your local council

You can usually find out more information about permits and licences from your local water companies and local authorities.

Invest in the right equipment

Having the correct tools and equipment to effectively carry out your bin cleaning work is crucial. Research makes and models for key equipment, such as:

• High-pressure water jets – ideally one that features a water recycling system

• Water tank (usually mounted on a van or trailer) to supply the pressure washer

• Cleaning agents that are biodegradable and eco-friendly to minimise the environmental impact of your business

• A van or trailer with enough capacity to transport all your bin cleaning equipment, tank and tools

Want to save money on business essentials? Joining Checkatrade gives you access to exclusive offers and discounts with our partners.

Organise business insurance

As a new business owner, it’s important to protect your business, equipment and vehicle with the appropriate insurance policies. Consider the following:

• Public Liability Insurance – Protects your business against any damage or injury claims that may arise while you’re working

• Vehicle Insurance – You’ll want to make sure your van or trailer has the right commercial vehicle insurance

• Tools & Equipment Insurance – Gives you peace of mind that your bin cleaning equipment is protected in the event of theft or damage

Remember to shop around for quotes from different insurance providers to get the best deals for your business.

As an added bonus, Checkatrade members can make great savings on their public liability insurance. Want to find out more?

Checkatrade members save 20% on public liability insurance with Superscript

The right insurance is just as essential as the tools of your trade. It can protect you and your livelihood from any incidents. It can also provide cover for your clients should anything happen while you're on site. You might be thinking that "insurance is expensive!" So, to help you get covered for

Learn more

Set pricing for your services

A key aspect of running your business is pricing your services correctly so that you make a profit from bin cleaning jobs.

• Factor in all the costs of running your business so that you’re covering everything, including travel costs, equipment, materials, etc

• Be competitive compared to your competitors’ prices for similar services

• Offer different service plans with discounted rates for regular cleaning contracts

Want to know more about pricing? Take a look at our guide below:

How to price your services

Your pricing strategy will ultimately dictate how much revenue you generate and what profit you can make. We’ve put together an overview of the main types of pricing strategies to help you with the pricing strategy for your business. What is a pricing strategy? Simply put, your pricing strategy

Learn more

Promote your new business

You’ll want to get the word out that your new bin cleaning business is up and running. Think about a combination of:

• Digital marketing that includes a well-designed business website that’s optimised for SEO, social media activity, and paid online ads

• Traditional print marketing that targets potential customers in your local area

• Word of mouth encouraged by you offering first-rate bin cleaning services and maybe a referral scheme

When it comes to marketing a new trade business, remember that every business is different so it’s worth trying various methods and seeing what works for you.

Keep track and grow your business

Being aware of how you’re business is doing and where you’re heading is vital for future success.

Once you’ve successfully started your business and built up a base of customers, you can start thinking about how you can grow your business.

For inspiration, check out our top tips for growing a trade business.

Tips for starting a bin cleaning business

While you’re working through the steps above to start your bin cleaning business, it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind:

• Plan, plan, and plan some more so that you’re prepared to run your own bin cleaning business

• Always offer excellent customer service by being punctual, reliable and communicating well with your clients

• Be eco-conscious with your business, use eco-friendly products and materials, and comply with proper wastewater disposal

• Get help when you need it, whether that’s hiring an accountant, speaking to a business bank manager, or asking friends for advice

• Track all your finances with vigilant bookkeeping so that you know how much money you’re making and spending at any point in time

• Evolve when needed by offering new services, focusing on specialist work, or covering a larger area

Starting a business is an exciting venture and, if you follow the advice in this guide, hopefully one that you’re going to love.

How to choose bin cleaning business names

Choosing a name for your bin cleaning business is an important step. It can have a direct impact on the success of your business.

When choosing a business name, make sure you consider the following:

• Keep it simple and easy to spell/pronounce

• Make it descriptive by including words like “bin”, “clean”, or “wash”

• Add a local reference, such as your town, city or region

• Use positive words like “fresh”, “pure”, or “bright”

• Consider rhymes or alliteration to make the name more enjoyable to say

• Think about keywords that customers might use to search for businesses like yours

• Check the name is available – both with Companies House and for a website URL

Here are some examples of bin cleaning business names for inspiration…

• EcoFresh Bins

• Wheelie Clean Bin Solutions

• Stratford Sparkle Bin Services

• GreenShine Bins

Once you’ve chosen a business name, it’s time to register it:

Registering a business name: How to do it

Starting a business is a bold and positive move, which can dramatically change your life. You might have all of the necessary equipment and have an existing, loyal customer base. But when you’re first starting, you’ll need to check for available company names beforehand. Don’t worry, we’ve got you

Learn more

Boost your business with Checkatrade

Marketing a business costs time and money, so it’s important to focus on activities that will help you build your business.

With our digital marketing strategy and strong online presence, becoming a Checkatrade member makes it easier for customers to find you.

• Be seen by customers with a business profile on the UK’s leading trade directory

• Get an online listing on Google

• Access more bin cleaning leads – there were over 22,000 searches for wheelie bin cleaning on the Checkatrade website in 2024 alone**

• The Checkatrade tick that homeowners trust can help you secure more work

• Save money with exclusive access to offers and discounts from our partners

Already a member? Log in to our members' app now to see what offers are currently available!

Getting to grips with a Checkatrade membership

As a Checkatrade member, you and your new bin cleaning business can benefit from features such as:

• Display customer reviews, testimonials, and examples of your work on your profile page

• Control your flow of leads by marking your availability in the Checkatrade app

• Manage customer enquiries on-the-go, directly from the app – keeping everything in one handy place

With the Checkatrade tick by your name, it makes your marketing just that little bit easier.

You can also offer our work guarantee to customers as an extra incentive for added peace of mind.

We’ll also help you with access to branded marketing materials and exclusive discounts on business essentials.

* Data quoted by Statista (article here, last updated July 2024)

** Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website in 2024