ENERGY MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
THE FUTURE OF RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
Nick Oettinger, CEO and Founder of The Furniture Recycling Group (TFR Group) advises organisations on how to best achieve long term sustainability goals through innovation and implementing environmentally friendly business practices. Here, he shares his predictions for the future of recycling and waste management.
The rise in the circular economy Traditionally, organisations have had a linear approach to business, creating products for customers and disposing of the waste produced. However, as resources reduce, becoming more expensive, and customer demand for sustainability grows, businesses will start to focus on a circular economy approach, creating products which are designed to be re-used and recycled and stay within the economy. This approach is not only positive for the environment as it diverts waste away from landfill sites, but it also helps businesses to reduce their costs and carbon footprint, becoming more attractive to consumers and more viable long term.
Turning waste into resources With the rising cost of energy coupled with inflation, many businesses will be looking for cost saving solutions to help utilise the resources they have readily available. Waste can be seen as a hindrance for many companies, especially trying to dispose of large quantities sustainably. I believe that in the future firms will be looking to maximise the use of their resources including waste and what better way to use it, than turning it into a vital source of energy.
There are some key examples of large companies using this approach, including McDonald’s who famously turn
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their cooking oil into biodiesel. While Viridor has been busy combusting non-recyclable materials, turning it into energy, combining heat and power which uses excess steam to provide heating and hot water to local homes and businesses.
Increase in innovation As more and more valuable resources become finite, companies will begin to invest more heavily in innovation to make their time, money and resources work harder for them. Many organisations are focusing on technology to help them re-use, reduce and recycle resources to become more sustainable and efficient.
TFR Group launched a world-first, patented automated pocket spring mattress-recycling machine. This state of the art, automated machine, dismantles and separates the components in the pocket springs of a mattress in just two-and-a-half minutes rather than the previous half a day turnaround time.
All materials are segregated, processed and thoroughly sanitised and the components are then used to manufacture new products in a range of industries, completing the circular economy.
The firm also deals with good as new mattresses that have been returned due to trial periods, and are earmarked for
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