Getting down to business with waste: waste within the business world

In recent years, the amount of waste produced by businesses accounted for approximately a quarter of the overall number in England, and the emphasis for the UK to take more responsibility for how waste is dealt with is under growing scrutiny. As discussed by WRAP, recycling in the UK has increased to around 45 per cent compared to approximately 10 per cent in 2000, but then this wouldn’t be possible without exporting some materials to other countries. The negative aspects of this are that some locations have less stringent methods of processing this waste material and this is a significant cause of concern on environmental impact.

Costs for companies

Alongside the environmental responsibilities of organisations, waste management is a major cost for business operations. Increasing taxes, costs of labour and disposal charges are some of the most significant factors and have seen a sharp rise in recent years. As all companies have a legal responsibility to dispose of waste responsibly, not doing so could cost your organisation in monetary terms and reputation.

Alongside the huge talking points in the media, it is an increasing conversation in different industries with an emphasis on creating leaner and more efficient ways to reduce the costs of a business. With the rising charges of waste disposal, small businesses may find themselves struggling to keep up with costs if effective waste management is not put into place. By using guidance from organisations such as CIPS and our Waste Saving Audit, implementing a waste management and disposal strategy will ensure your business understands the responsibilities and costs that could affect it, if minimal action is taken.  

Setting the bar

Back in 2011, several large firms stepped up their efforts to reduce the amount of waste they produce. The Courtauld Commitment is a government run scheme that companies can voluntarily join to commit to reducing the carbon impact of business operations. Companies in the food sector were some of the first to take up the initiative with big names such as Asda, Tesco and Marks & Spencer joining the ranks. In the construction industry, firms including Barrett Developments and Hanson UK also opted into the Halving Waste to Landfill initiative.  

Another large corporation that has contributed to keeping electronics out of landfill for many years is Dell. This major player in the computing sector is educating consumers about recycling and giving them the option of sending the equipment back to dispose of. You can also search on the Dell website for non-profit organisations that accept electronic donations. This initiative is rewarding people for recycling, so it gives buyers a reason to make positive changes to their waste choices.

With a focus on sustainability in business and a responsibility to tackle waste both the UK and worldwide, companies that make these changes will begin to see the benefits of effective waste management in the long term.

To find out how you can save money on your waste costs with a waste baler or compactor, contact phs Wastekit today.