Effective Waste Management Solutions for Businesses

Brand new companies, up and coming brand names, well-known businesses; when it comes to waste management an ethical approach is always required. With the cost of waste attributing to between 4 and 5% of annual turnover this can eat into around 10% of overall company gross profits. With costs ever rising, businesses are somewhat being forced into more environmentally friendly waste management solutions.

What are your duties as a business?

There are a number of key responsibilities businesses must adhere to in terms of solutions to waste management. The following are those broadly stated by UK legislation and governmental requirements:

• Refer to and use the Waste Hierarchy Principles. These factors help keep waste to a minimum by ensuring reuse, effective recycling and waste recovery.
• Ensure waste disposal methods are carried out legally. If your company produces waste the responsibility lies specifically with you to ensure safe disposal via an auditable document trail.
• Waste is to be stored and sorted in a suitably safe environment.
• Documentation is required to be kept up to date with a waste transfer note completed for every batch.
• Make sure waste carriers are fully registered by checking with the official environment agency website.

Where should I store waste?

UK legislation also includes specific guidelines for waste storage:

• Companies are to use EU-approved containers to prevent any leaks.
• Waste is required to be guarded with lockable containers.
• All waste contents should be clearly labelled.
• Waterproof covers are required for use in preventing contaminated run-offs.

Waste Solutions for the Food Industry

Food, drinks and liquids have the ability to be securely stored and recycled via Greenbank’s Portable self-Cleaning Compactors. Our machines are self-cleaning keeping waste securely inside and vermin firmly out!

How do we get rid of non-hazardous waste legally?

Between your company and a chosen waste carrier, the following should be adhered to:

• Register online with the appropriate services.
• Decide to fill out a waste transfer note or create a ‘season ticket’.
• Fill out applicable sections of waste transfer note and ensure it’s signed.
• Keep copies of waste transfer notes for a minimum of two years.
• Ensure notes are available to present should they be requested by your local council or Environment Agency.

How can a business reduce waste management costs?

As previously discussed, waste management costs can take up to 10% of company profits. What if you could not only reduce costs but also adopt an additional revenue stream? What would it mean to your business if you made money from waste management solutions?

Allow us to expand;

If your company is home to masses of plastic, paper and cardboard waste on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, you should consider a large vertical baler. Suited to retail based businesses and industrial companies, such machines offer superior press forces and come with the ability to handle larger boxes. Simply throw them in whilst the baler crushes them down. Finished bales can be tied neatly with flat straps or steel wires before being sold to an external source for re-use. Vertical balers give companies an effective waste management solution whilst allowing them to make money also. Contact the team to discuss your waste needs now.