Business recycling is a sustainable practice that involves reusing core materials such as paper and plastics.
Generally, the principles of business recycling are the same as household recycling – we sort our materials and send them off to a recycling centre, where they are broken down and repurposed as new products.
The key difference with business recycling is the wider effects it has on the environment. According to Defra, the UK generated 43.9 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in 2018.
Business waste has the potential to be so harmful because it is so diverse, for example:
- Paper and plastics
- Agricultural waste
- Construction waste
- Clinical waste
- Toxic chemical waste
- Electronic waste.
Each of these presents a hazard, from plastics filling landfill to chemicals polluting water sources. The good news is that industrial waste is dropping – with 2.8% less landfill waste between 2016 and 2018, and 4.3% more recycling.
But we’ve still so far to go, which is why UK businesses need to understand the benefits of recycling.
What are the benefits of recycling?
Business recycling offers legal, environmental and financial benefits, while making a difference in your community.
Your community
There are just 500 landfill sites in England and Wales. By recycling more, UK businesses can reduce their landfill dependency and leave more room for green space regeneration projects.
For example, Wales operates a government-funded scheme to improve biodiversity around these areas.
The environment
The small changes we make locally can impact the world. For instance, reusing aluminium is 95% less energy-intensive than making it from new, while one recycled glass bottle could power a lightbulb for four hours.
Corporate responsibility
Companies have both a moral and legal obligation to recycle. From a commercial standpoint, there are the obvious benefits of being known as a sustainable supplier. But there are also numerous legal obligations – some industry-specific.
Proper waste disposal is classed as a “duty of care” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It can also incur fines of up to £50,000 if not managed properly.
By law, you must have a registered waste carrier – these can help you to segregate your waste and recycle appropriately.
Lower costs
Businesses sending waste to landfill are subject to fees, charged by weight per tonne of waste. There may also be Landfill Tax if you are not using a dedicated site.
Not only does recycling cut these costs; you may even be able to apply for government funding to promote sustainable practices.
How to Recycle Better
Waste segregation can help you to recycle your business waste more efficiently. This offers extra benefits from lower landfill costs to reduced risk to the environment. To get the best from your business recycling, follow these steps:
- Arrange waste by recyclable, non-recyclable and hazardous. It’s crucial to keep hazardous waste separate – including batteries, solvents and chemicals.
- Store waste appropriately, for example, by labelling recycling and waste bins. Make sure these cannot leak or spill, and keep them away from drainage systems.
- Separate plastics into PET, HDPE and PVC. These are the commonest recyclable plastics, and details should be on the packaging.
- Make sure you remove contaminants such as staples, as this makes the breakdown process easier.
- Keep a record of your waste disposal using a waste transfer note, which must be kept for two years (or three for hazardous chemicals).
Get your Free Audit with Hubba today
Recycling your business waste is not easy, but the long-term benefits are more than worth it. To get started, ask Hubba for a free waste stream audit here.