Environment


BETTER TOGETHER: SUPPLYING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS


SUSTAINABILITY IS GROWING INTO AN EVER MORE IMPORTANT BUZZWORD, BUT WITH A LOT OF COMPANIES RELIANT ON A LOT OF EXTERNAL FACTORS TO STAY IN BUSINESS, IT MAY BE A PRACTICE THAT GOES WITHOUT FURTHER THOUGHT. BUT WASTE MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIPS ARE PROVING BENEFICIAL TO MANY WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. IN THIS FEATURE, ASSISTANT EDITOR, BENJAMIN AUSTIN, SPEAKS TO GRUNDON WASTE MANAGEMENT ON HOW IT HAS HELPED PROVIDE GREATER PRACTICES FOR SPANDEX.


‘A problem shared is a problem halved’, that is the age-old saying, and this rings no truer than when it comes to sustainability. The more minds working to strive for a greener future, the faster that future will become a reality. But the print industry is notoriously wasteful in its use of materials, substrates and equipment. Off-cuts are binned, ink cartridges sent to landfill, and the liquid itself can be harmful to the environment.


The cost-of-living crisis often pushes other priorities to the background as businesses may even just be trying to stay afloat. With that, sustainability often becomes an


afterthought, and typically, only larger corporations can dedicate staff and resources to adopting greener practices.


But it doesn’t mean to say there aren’t options for smaller or even sometimes larger household brands to explore. Partnerships with reputable waste management


services have helped many reach, or even surpass, sustainability targets, with one such company being Spandex.


The films and vinyl specialist sought the services


of Grundon Waste Management more than a year ago. Since then, the partnership has reduced the company’s non-recyclable refuse to just 48 tonnes in 12 months – a figure reduced by a third from the year prior.


Nick Malvern, regional sales lead in the South West


for Grundon, said: “Spandex approached us because they were not satisfied with their previous recycling arrangement. “Often, we find that customers are being provided inadequate services with poor performance and little customer communication. On this occasion, Spandex were being provided disparate services with several other waste and recycling companies, compounding the problem.


“When the contracts came up for renewal, we were able to offer a more holistic, streamlined service, which not only delivered better results but also provided just one point of contact.” Eddie Edge, warehouse and logistics manager at Spandex, reiterated this. He said: “We were looking to streamline the services


[L:R] Grundon’s Nick Malvern standing with Spandex’s Eddie Edge


provided previously by four or five different waste and recycling companies. “Now we have one point of contact which works much better from the perspective of both communications and practicality.”


LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS Despite Spandex being a global, multi-million pound company, by deciding to outsource its sustainability processes, it means it can continue to provide its service while experts get to work on managing its waste products. Nick continued: “We know that business leaders are rarely experts in recycling and waste management – they have busy roles with many considerations to juggle. “We can remove from them the headache of waste management, providing dependable services and considered expertise, which not only ensures reliable services but also helps the business on its journey to growth and prosperity. “By forming close partnerships with our customers,


we’re able to design flexible and effective waste strategies that not only ensure compliance but also support our customers wider environmental goals. “Our focus is always on delivering practical solutions that reduce waste, boost recycling rates and drive continuous improvements in sustainability performance.


22 | June/July 2025


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