LAST REVIEWED: JUNE 2026
Biffa scores 64/100 on the KT Score. Biffa is one of the UK's largest integrated waste management companies, operating collections, treatment, recycling and energy-from-waste facilities for business, local authority and industrial customers. Biffa is listed on the London Stock Exchange and holds Environment Agency permits for its waste treatment and disposal operations. The KT Score of 64 reflects Biffa's scale and infrastructure depth, offset by pricing that sits above smaller regional waste operators for comparable business waste collection services, and complaint data showing contract dispute issues that are common across the sector.
What Biffa does
Biffa was founded in 1912 and is one of the oldest and largest waste management companies in the UK. It operates an integrated model covering waste collection from businesses and local authorities, material recovery and recycling, energy-from-waste generation and hazardous waste treatment. Biffa collects from approximately 100,000 business customers across the UK and operates treatment and disposal facilities at sites throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
Biffa's core business waste collection service covers general waste, recycling, food waste, confidential waste shredding and hazardous materials including clinical waste and electronic equipment disposal. It serves businesses of all sizes from sole traders requiring a single bin collection to large corporations with complex multi-site waste management requirements.
Biffa is listed on the London Stock Exchange and operates as a regulated business under Environment Agency permits for its treatment and disposal activities. Its collection activities are subject to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Framework Directive as implemented in UK law.
Biffa's skip hire service covers mini skips (2 cubic yards) through to large roll-on roll-off containers for construction and demolition projects. Skip hire requires a permit from the local authority when placed on a public highway; Biffa handles permit applications as part of the hire service. The company also provides hook-loader and compactor vehicles for high-volume commercial customers requiring frequent collections with on-site container exchange.
In the recycling infrastructure segment, Biffa operates material recovery facilities that sort mixed recycling into paper, card, plastic, glass and metal streams for onward processing. Biffa's energy-from-waste plants generate electricity from non-recyclable residual waste, contributing to the UK's renewable energy capacity. The company publishes an annual sustainability report covering diversion-from-landfill rates, recycling volumes and carbon emissions per tonne of waste handled.
Products and services
| Service | Who it is for | KT review |
|---|---|---|
| Business waste collection | SMEs and large corporates; general and recycling bins | Full review |
| Skip hire | Construction, renovation, large clearance projects | Skip hire compared |
| Recycling services | Paper, card, plastic, metal, WEEE, food waste | Coming soon |
| Hazardous waste | Clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical, asbestos | Coming soon |
| Energy from waste | Treatment and energy generation from non-recyclable waste | Coming soon |
How Biffa compares
| Provider | KT Score | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biffa | 64 | National operator | Large businesses, hazardous waste, complex requirements |
| Veolia | 63 | National operator | Municipal contracts, infrastructure scale |
| SUEZ | 61 | National operator | Recycling infrastructure, energy from waste |
| BusinessWaste.co.uk | 58 | Broker | SME price comparison, flexible contracts |
See also: Biffa full review | Skip hire UK compared | SUEZ UK review
Disclaimer: This profile is produced by Kael Tripton Ltd for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to purchase any product or service. KT Scores are independent editorial assessments based on publicly available primary data. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the FCA. Verify all details directly with the provider before making any purchasing decision. Kael Tripton Ltd, Company No. 17177071, ICO ZC135439.
Frequently asked questions
Is Biffa the cheapest business waste collection option?
Biffa is a full-service national operator and its pricing typically reflects the infrastructure and compliance overhead of a large regulated waste company. For straightforward business waste collection, regional operators and waste brokers such as BusinessWaste.co.uk often produce lower quotes for equivalent services. Biffa's competitive advantage is strongest for businesses with complex waste streams, hazardous materials, multi-site requirements or where regulatory compliance documentation is critical. For SMEs with simple general waste and recycling needs, comparison shopping across regional operators and brokers is advisable before committing to a Biffa contract.
What permits does Biffa hold?
Biffa holds Environment Agency permits for its waste treatment, transfer and disposal operations across its facility network. These permits authorise specific activities at each licensed site including material recovery, energy-from-waste generation and hazardous waste treatment. Biffa publishes its Environment Agency permit references in its annual environmental reporting. Businesses using Biffa's collection service have a duty of care obligation and can verify Biffa's licensed carrier status via the Environment Agency's public register.
How do I get a Biffa quote for business waste?
Business waste quotes from Biffa are available via the Biffa website at biffa.co.uk or by calling Biffa's sales team directly. For businesses comparing multiple providers, waste brokers such as BusinessWaste.co.uk and Reconomy provide multi-provider comparison quotes that include Biffa alongside regional operators. Quotes vary significantly by collection frequency, container size, waste type and location.
Does Biffa collect hazardous waste?
Yes. Biffa operates a specialist hazardous waste division handling clinical waste, pharmaceutical waste, chemical waste, contaminated materials and asbestos-containing materials. Hazardous waste collection and disposal is subject to more stringent regulatory requirements than general business waste, including consignment note documentation and disposal at specifically licensed facilities. Biffa's hazardous waste services are typically priced and contracted separately from its standard business waste collection.
