Far from knowing where to put our plastics at home, business recycling offers a whole other set of challenges. As business owners, we need to be cognizant of waste segregation, and the individual impacts of our industry – for example, medical waste in healthcare.
This is where a full waste management strategy can help.
With careful planning, businesses can reduce costs, free up time, and lessen their impact on the environment.
All it takes is four key steps…
Step 1: Waste Management Audit
With a free waste management audit from Hubba, you’ll discover the best ways to segregate and manage your waste relative to your industry.
We can pair you with the most efficient waste collectors and save you money on landfill fees, all in one accessible report.
Get your free waste management audit >
Step 2: Pick-up and Sort
Once we have arranged the most efficient collection for you, your waste will be taken away to the transfer station.
At this stage, your waste goes through the segregation process, where it is divided into different types of glass, plastic and paper to be reused.
You can make this more efficient by segregating your waste beforehand. This can also prevent waste from going to landfill as it reduces risks of contamination – for example, food and packaging waste.
Step 3: Reprocess and Manufacture
After your waste has been segregated, it can begin the recycling process.
For example, a plastic bottle is made from polymers. These polymers are ‘thermoplastic’, which means they are capable of being melted down and reused.
In some cases, it is difficult to remove the additives that gave the original plastic its strength, serving its purpose as a milk bottle, for example.
In this case, the plastic would be ‘downcycled’, which means that, although the quality may be lower, it can still be used for other applications such as park benches.
Paper goes through the same waste separation process.
Specialists then remove inks, staples, glues and plastic films before adding water and turning it to ‘slurry’, which becomes everyday items such as cardboard or office paper.
Step 4: Buying Recycled Products
If you truly want to contribute to the ‘circular economy’, then you can reduce your impact even further by buying recycled products.
A circular economy not only relies on recycling, but also aims to reduce the number of resources required to make products from scratch.
Businesses have multiple options when it comes to sourcing recycled products. For example, in an office environment, a procurement manager might consider buying recycled:
- Brown parcel paper
- Cardboard
- Printing paper
- Toilet paper and hand towels.
Other industries have a role to play to minimise their impact, too. The hospitality sector might consider using seasonal goods to reduce waste and lessen their reliance on imported goods. They might also consider refillables, such as condiment containers, or switch to glass products made from recycled glass.
If you’re not sure where your business can be more sustainable, get in touch with us for your free audit.
Step up your recycling for 2022
Recycling is just one of many ways that UK businesses can do their bit to protect the environment. By working with a dedicated waste management broker, you’ll have access to the best methods.
We can also give you tips on how to manage your day-to-day consumption.
As the UK continues to push towards carbon-neutral by 2035, every business has a role to play. You can do yours by taking small steps – even if it is just a waste management audit.