For businesses in every sector, waste management is a hugely important part of running a successful operation. Whether you’re in charge of a busy construction site or a hyper-efficient office space, you will be creating some form of waste, all of which will need to be handled properly. This is all because waste creation is a serious issue facing both the UK and the wider world. Of the over 200 million tonnes of waste created in 2014 across the United Kingdom, around 59% of it was construction waste and a significant amount came from businesses.
With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that not only are we recycling our construction and commercial waste but are also cutting down on our waste creation. As a business, this may seem a bit daunting, especially when there are other much more pressing issues for your operation. However, you may be surprised to know that there are actually a range of tips and tricks you can make use of that will not only maximise your recycling output but also minimise the amount of waste left over from a day’s work.
As commercial waste removal experts, we at Brewster Bros have a pretty good knowledge on how businesses and construction companies can optimise their waste management requirements. With this mind, we decided to put together this handy blog to give you some of our most useful tips on cutting down on your rubbish.
The benefits of quality waste management
It doesn’t matter what kind of business or operation you’re running, the benefits of keeping on top of your waste management requirements are pretty universal in every line of work and they go much further than simply helping to keep your workplace clean.
The environment
For example, there is of course the environmental advantage of responsible waste removal. A large amount of our waste here in the UK ends up in some form of landfill, around a fifth to be more exact, and while this reliance is shrinking, landfill sites still pose a huge problem to the environment and local communities.
By reducing how much you use and ensuring the rest of it is put to the best possible use, you’re aiding in the fight for the environment. If that’s not enough of a push for you, having environmental credentials can be a real advantage in the marketplace as clients tend to look more favourably on green businesses who are doing their part.
Lowering costs
Your bottom line is always going to be important, no matter the industry you work in. With this in mind, you’re likely looking for any kind of way you can minimise expenses and ensure a healthy profit. Surprisingly, by taking time to organise your waste management methods, you could stand to save a significant amount of money.
Positive waste management can not only reduce your rubbish but can help you to utilise your resources more efficiently, meaning you spend less and save time and money on disposal duties. These combined can make genuine differences in the amount of money you spend; what business could argue with that?
Complying with the law
Less a benefit and more a necessity, there are a range of laws that stringently hold businesses waste management methods to account. In order to reduce our rubbish output as a country, you’ll need to comply with waste legislation like hazardous waste controls and will also have a duty of care with your rubbish.
Because of this, if you’re found to not be complying with legislation, you could end up in some pretty significant legal difficulties. Environmental crimes can range from a warning to hefty fines and even jail time, which is why it’s definitely in your best interests to ensure you’re doing your bit.
Commercial and construction waste reduction
Much like the benefits, many of the tips to ensure you’re remaining compliant with current environmental standards are pretty universal as well. If you’re struggling to know where to start with your waste management update, use these top tips as a place to start.
Plan ahead
As the old saying goes “fail to plan and you plan to fail”. If you’re running a site, office or warehouse, planning ahead is a key factor in cutting down on waste. By looking at your current project and considering what resources are required for the job at hand, you can more precisely understand how much you’re going to need which, in turn, will mean you lose less overall. This will have the doubly beneficial impact of both helping you to save money and reducing your waste output.
Use recycled material and products
The harm of using brand new materials goes much further than the higher costs, as there are a huge number of processes that go into production. This can lead to an increased carbon footprint and further damage to the environment.
Luckily, suppliers are understanding how damaging solely relying on brand-new materials and products is, which is why many are now offering recycled material as well. Cheaper but just as reliable, recycled products take the pressure off of new materials and help bolster the circular economy, all without affecting your bottom line.
A prime example of this is the use of recycled aggregates in the construction industry. Vital in a host of construction projects, aggregates are some of the foundational building blocks of the industry. However, as many require extensive mining operations, they’re not great for the planet. In opposition to this, suppliers are now using rubble from demolition sites to recycle their aggregates, offering a viable alternative to buying new.
Go paperless
20 years ago, the idea of going paperless was seen as a bit of a fantasy. Yet, here we are, with high powered computers and the internet at our fingertips, it’s becoming a bit of a no brainer. However, there are still many companies that use a huge amount of paper when they simply don’t need to.
Making steps towards being a paper-free workplace doesn’t have to be excessively difficult either. Everything from scanning your documents to investing in quality word processing software can minimise your reliance on paper and cut your waste output drastically.
The importance of hiring a quality recycling company
As we’ve already mentioned, no matter what line of work you’re in, you’re going to create some amount of waste. With this in mind, you’re going to need a quality waste management company to ensure you’re complying with regulations.
Luckily, there are a host of quality companies out there that are more than happy to dispose of your rubbish for you and ensure that it is dealt with accordingly. Outsourcing your waste management requirements also has a range of benefits, from saving you a huge amount of time having to worry about how to deal with your rubbish to reducing overall maintenance costs.
Whatever business you’re running, always consider enlisting the help of the waste professionals.
From aggregates to plant hire – Brewster Bros are here to help
Cutting down on the amount of waste your business creates shouldn’t be a chore, and with Brewster Bros, it doesn’t have to be. Helping countless construction companies to remain compliant with stringent waste disposal and management legislation, our team of industry experts are on hand to help.
We offer a range of services that construction companies can find extremely beneficial, from comprehensive waste disposal to supplying sites with cheap, reliable recycled aggregates. It’s for these reasons that Brewster Bros has cemented itself as one of the leading experts in construction waste management throughout the whole of Edinburgh and the wider central belt of Scotland.
If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you deal with your construction and commercial waste, why not give our friendly team a call on 01506 431 321 or visit our website for more information on why we’re so highly regarded.
Tips for Cutting Down on Construction and Commercial Waste
