Why is waste management so important?

UK businesses produce millions of tonnes of waste every year, accounting for around 25% of all waste produced in the country. From general waste to glass, food, and hazardous or clinical waste, there are many different kinds of waste for UK organisations to consider. Yet despite its importance, many businesses fail to prioritise waste removal as part of their wider energy management.

We’re going to take a closer look at seven reasons why waste management is so important for businesses across all industries, exploring various factors such as sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with customer values.

Reduce your landfill waste

Landfill sites directly damage the local area and the environment as a whole. The decomposition of waste can lead to air and water pollution, impacting local biodiversity and releasing methane that contributes to greenhouse gases impacting global warming.

By managing waste effectively, businesses can reduce the overall amount of waste they are sending to landfills, helping the environment in the process.

Save money in the long run

As any business owner knows, materials and products cost money. When these materials and products get wasted, you’re basically throwing money at the wall. Conducting a waste audit can help you become more conscious of how much waste you create and why. This can streamline the supply chain, improve ordering and reduce the volume of materials going to waste, saving you money.

Give value to your waste

When applied correctly, waste can have its own value. Take scrap metal as an example, which can be sold at competitive rates for a tidy profit. By reusing, recycling, or incinerating waste for energy recovery, you can turn wasted materials into valuable resources.

Preserve natural resources

Many natural resources are used in the process of making materials, from limited ores to fossil fuels. Increasing recycling efforts can help you reduce your reliance on processing virgin materials, therefore preserving vital natural resources. The energy used to recycle waste into new materials is far less than that used in the extraction of natural resources.

Streamline processes

When waste gets out of hand, it can have a detrimental impact on your organisation’s productivity. Poor storage, improper container, and infrequent waste collection can all bring hassle to your business, while also contributing to an unpleasant or even unhygienic working environment. Dealing with waste when it’s a small problem can stop you from having to implement costly remedial measures when it becomes a bigger issue.

Comply with regulations

Waste management isn’t just a moral obligation for businesses, it’s also a legal one. There are various laws and regulations in place in the UK to ensure that businesses across all industries fulfil their duty to properly manage the waste products they produce. This includes sorting and storing waste, as well as making use of registered waste management providers to ensure that waste disposal is carried out responsibly.

Complement customer values

Sustainability is hugely important to today’s consumers. A report from American Express found that 91% of consumers state sustainable packaging, doing social good and a brand’s ethical reputation are all important when deciding which businesses to shop with.

As such, earning a reputation as a business that takes sustainability seriously can help you stand out above the competition, and waste management is an imperative part of the effort to go green.

Make the most of your commercial waste management by seeking out expert support and guidance. Reach out to a member of our team today and find out how we can help you. Get in touch with the team at Consultiv Utilities.