RECYCLING & WASTE MANAGEMENT
After decades of hearing the recycling message, it would be easy to believe that all UK businesses have it covered. However, often this still is not the case. Workplaces can go from being totally engaged and keen to participate, to being disengaged. Company size as well as the type of industry in which a company operates are usually the biggest factors as to whether recycling is likely to take place or not.
It means that forward-thinking, effective waste management is more important than ever to keep a site well maintained and operating efficiently. FMs must work closely with their waste management partners to achieve this and keep their staff well educated to stay ahead of regulations.
A EUROPEAN WASTE
FRAMEWORK Since January 2015, UK waste regulations have required businesses that recycle to fully segregate their waste into general waste and recyclables in a bid to improve the quantity and quality of recycling materials. This latest change is in line with the commitments set out in the EU Waste Framework Directive, which requires all Member States to implement measures to ensure four key waste materials - paper/ card, metals, glass and plastic - are collected separately from other waste for recycling. As we begin 2016 and the demand for better quality recyclates grows, regulations look set to become more stringent. It’s therefore important FMs do what they can to keep one step ahead of regulations.
A key element of these new regulations is that it is the legal responsibility of waste collection companies and authorities – rather than the businesses that produce the waste – to ensure appropriate arrangements are made to facilitate separate collection.
BRINGING EMPLOYEES
ON BOARD Securing employee buy-in is essential to ensure an effective waste management system where everyone is committed to placing waste in the correct bin.
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A common issue with business waste is that mixed recycling can become contaminated with general waste. This can happen because businesses who are trying to meet green credentials or want to appear to be more environmentally responsible will simply put recycling bins in place to ‘tick a box’.
“UK WASTE REGULATIONS
REQUIRE BUSINESSES THAT RECYCLE TO FULLY SEGREGATE THEIR WASTE INTO
GENERAL WASTE AND RECYCLABLES.”
However, if the employee is not briefed on how to use the bins, they will not be successful and recyclable waste can become contaminated. Educating employees about the importance of recycling and how to do it correctly is key to long term success and may also help to stop a company appear as if it is greenwashing.
THE BEST SYSTEM It’s essential that the system in place
is well thought out and easy-to-use to ensure it is effective. For example, our modular system - a series of red bins where each is for a different type of recyclable - is an incredibly straight forward and efficient system. It was first implemented in schools and its success there has meant we have rolled it out to businesses nationwide.
The location of the bins is just as important as providing them. The containers will be most effective if they are placed near to the source of waste, ensuring it’s quick and convenient for staff to use them.
Staff training that is regularly refreshed is also key, and will lead to ongoing participation in recycling and waste segregation. The overall aim is that the waste creator makes a conscious decision to “do the right thing” helping to control costs now and in the future.
The European Waste Framework
Directive sets out clear requirements on dealing with waste only where it is ‘Technically, Environmentally and Economically Practicable’ – TEEP. The TEEP legislation, which was launched by the government one year ago, is in place to help a business determine the extent to which they need to separate their recyclables. This can depend on volumes of individual types of recyclables and the business’ proximity to a relevant recycling plant. In many cases, workplaces will have the two most common bins for managing their waste – one for mixed recyclables and another for general waste.
It’s also important for facilities managers to update sites appropriately to accommodate recycling services such as bins to allow staff to fully participate in their company’s recycling activities. Clearly labelled bins and information posters work well in a business when setting up a waste handling solution.
THE COST IMPLICATIONS FM professionals who have waste
management services as part of their Soft FM or Total FM contracts need to be aware of the possible cost implications that these legislative changes may bring to their contractual agreements and renegotiate and amend them as required.
It is likely that increased segregation of a building’s recyclable waste streams could lead to additional costs. This is important to address, particularly where FM contracts are priced as a whole package, with waste being just one part, typically 5% of the total FM costs.
LONG TERM WASTE
MANAGEMENT The secret to good long term recycling and waste management in any organisation is having an effective and well-thought out waste handling solution in place. It’s important that a business’ requirements are assessed to correctly achieve this and working with a waste management partner can facilitate this process and ensure improved waste management for the long term.
www.biffa.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 41
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