Waste = Lost Resource

Waste has become an increasingly difficult environmental and economic problem, one which affects us all and to which we all contribute. Today's complex, technologically based society, combined with population growth, has led to the generation of enormous quantities of waste.

For every tonne of household waste produced, commercial, industrial and construction businesses produce another six tonnes. Individuals at work have a vital role to play to reduce waste and to ensure any discarded materials are diverted from landfills through reuse and recycling.

Increasingly the production of waste is seen as a form of inefficiency and misuse of resources, which has both economic and environmental implications for individual companies and the country as a whole. It is estimated that waste typically costs companies 4.5% of their turnover. In the UK over 400 million tonnes of waste are produced each year. This rate of waste generation would fill the Royal Albert Hall in London every two hours.

There is little information on the amount of waste that is generated from businesses. Estimates from the Environment Agency's National Waste Production Survey indicate that businesses in England and Wales produced around 75 million tonnes of waste; 50 million tonnes from the industrial sector and 25 mil

“Wastes are resources people discard because they no longer need them. Can we afford it?”

lion tonnes from the commercial sector. Around half of that waste is disposed of to landfill and only 37 per cent is recycled or reused. Landfill capacity is finite and by burying waste, resources are no longer available to businesses and society.

Recycling – A Better Option

Recycling is one of several waste management options that reduces waste amounts that are landfilled. It is widely accepted that as a society we need to move away from landfill as an "end-of pipe" solution to waste management, towards treating the issue of waste in a more proactive and sustainable manner.

Enshrined in European and UK law, the waste hierarchy sets out the main options for the management of wastes. It is the primary tool for assessing the options for waste management.

The options are presented on a sliding scale with the most sustainable option first (reduction) and the least sustainable option last (disposal). The phrase 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle' neatly summarises the waste management options in the waste hierarchy.

Recycling is considered a better option than landfill but waste reduction and reuse should be explored at the same time so that the overall waste amount in your business is reduced.

Save Resources - Reduce Cost

"The cost of your waste is not so much the cost of disposing of it as much as the value of what you are getting rid of"

The cost burden of waste disposal is on the rise. There is now a tax on waste going to landfill that is expected to rise each year. Many businesses still largely underestimate the true extent of the cost of waste. Often it is assumed that waste cost is simply a fixed cost for waste disposal.

Effective resource management requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach that not only considers the disposal costs of discarded material, but accounts for the accumulated value of all inputs. This includes labour, materials, and process losses, such as utilities.

These additional costs are often referred to as the 'hidden' costs of waste. These costs, in combination with the more obvious costs, equate to the 'true' cost of waste. Businesses that can reduce waste and implement alternative waste management options such as recycling can also reduce their costs.

For additional free information on waste reduction techniques contact Envirowise.

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