business focus 15
Chartered accountants Haines Watts presents a series of articles based on its blogs. It offers analysis, reviews and comments and welcomes your feedback at
www.hwca.com/blog
of the month
The global situation and SME business planning Simon Garrett, partner at Haines Watts comments
Recent news of unstable, global macroeconomics and low demand is worrying to some business owners. However, with good planning, SMEs can tough it out and seek new opportunities in 2015.
Against the current backdrop, stock and bond market volatility come as no surprise. The biggest problem for western economies is low demand. Not only does it translate into lower business sales, it means there is less expenditure by businesses and individuals, reduced investment and smaller tax revenues.
Low demand in Europe makes it harder for UK companies to export and geopolitical instability destroys confidence.
There is a risk that growth could
flatten out and turn negative. Deflation, which we are seeing in some supermarket prices, is now also quite prevalent abroad, including in Spain and the mighty Germany, which is weakening the value of the euro against sterling.
Not only does this make it harder for the UK to sell to its biggest overseas market but it has an adverse effect on the UK balance of payments, which is already in a poor state. Furthermore it will reduce prices in the UK, creating extra risk of deflation here.
Interest rates are still at a historic low but borrowing may not be as cheap in the medium term. I see deflation and low demand as huge risks and ones which tend to keep interest rates down; but if economies return to more normal states, rates will rise.
Is hazardous waste giving you a
headache? Mention hazardous waste and you tend to think of heavyweight chemicals, acids or flammable materials
It might surprise you then, to know that in a commercial environment, everyday items such as printer cartridges, cleaning sprays, bleach, aerosols and batteries all fall into the hazardous waste category.
Failure to comply with disposing of these items in the correct manner – for example, by throwing them out in general waste bins – means businesses can fall foul of Environment Agency legislation and face a potential fine.
As experts in the sector, Grundon Waste Management recognises that not everyone has the space or the time to work out the do’s and don’ts of managing hazardous waste, which is why it offers a simple solution in the shape of the Haz-Box.
It is a specially-designed 55-litre lidded plastic box which can be used to store mixed hazardous wastes
safely, prior to a pre-organised collection at a convenient time.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary and designed to fit neatly under a shelf or in a cupboard, the Haz-Box is compact and easy to use and, depending on the amount of waste, can be collected once a week, once a month or even once every six months.
Another advantage of using the Haz-Box is that it helps to minimise the risk of waste contamination. Throwing paint cans or cleaning liquids into general waste can result in splits, leaks or spills, which can then contaminate not only your own waste, but also potentially, a complete waste wheeler load – turning into a very expensive mistake.
The type of items categorised as hazardous waste will vary depending
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MARCH 2015
on the business, and Grundon’s team of waste management experts can provide friendly information and advice to help organisations get it right.
As an example though, manufacturers may need to dispose of materials such as paints, oils, resins, adhesives and greases, contaminated rags or packaging; while a typical office may require disposal for toner and printer cartridges, disinfectant, cleaning and polish wipes or sprays, batteries and glues.
Once collected, each Haz-Box is taken to Grundon’s dedicated Hazardous Waste Transfer Station at Ewelme, Oxfordshire, where the items are inspected, categorised and segregated by a team of highly-
www.businessmag.co.uk
Businesses which have borrowed heavily will be affected but the big concern is that it affects consumer demand. The minute interest rates go up, there’s less in everyone’s pockets and that’s a double whammy for companies which have geared up.
The recent fall in petrol and commodity prices goes some way towards mitigating this effect, though government tax receipts are reduced at the same time.
Businesses can respond to uncertainty by watching margins and focusing on better margin products.
Picking more promising export markets outside of Europe is another way to fight back. Close trade ties with Australia and New Zealand might have been lost but there’s still time for the UK to tap into the enormous opportunities in places like India.
Inevitably, the biggest decisions are in the hands of the politicians, economists and policymakers, but businesses should focus on getting strong where opportunities arise.
Details:
www.hwca.com
qualified chemists in its technical department.
From there, items are sent for treatment, recovery and recycling – for example, metal from aerosols and other cans is sent for recycling, while liquids such as paint or oils, are separated for recovery or recycling. Propellants, such as butane or LPG from aerosols, are collected and used to fuel in-house operations and/or generate electricity.
Bigger items for disposal such as unwanted computer equipment, telephones, florescent lighting tubes or old smoke alarms can be collected separately by arrangement.
For more information on how to deal with hazardous waste in your business, visit the website or contact Grundon, details below.
Details:
www.grundon.com hazbox@grundon.com 01491-834340 Fax: 01491-834319
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