Following the French government’s decision to prohibit supermarket food waste in 2016, the rest of the world has begun to take notice. Fed up with food waste on an outrageous scale, it has been suggested unsold food be donated to homeless charities and food banks.
Among reports that like Morrisons, Tesco have committed to donating unsold food to the needy, we’ve been wondering about the practicalities of such a decision. What will be the process to acquire unsold food? Are there are criteria or pre-qualification? Or will the homeless simply visit their nearest Tesco?
It isn’t only homeless people who go foraging in supermarket bins nowadays. Growning numbers of people from all walks of life are partaking in ‘dumpster diving’, highlighted in the 2009 film Dive! by Jeremy Seifert.
With many supermarkets taking drastic measures to prevent this practice – padlocking bins, spoiling perfectly edible food with bleach – we are left questioning the morality of the consumerist giants; in 2013, it emerged that Abercrombie & Fitch immediately dispose of any blemished clothing. An unnamed store manager said, A&F doesn’t want to create the image that just anybody, poor people, can wear their clothing.
It isn’t simply food that’s past its sell-by date which ends up in the bin. Often perfectly edible but visually imperfect food is discarded – a bruised apple, a dented tin of beans.
Discarded meat is a subject of particular controversy, the animal having often been bred purely for the sake of food. During the 2013 horse meat scandal, Tesco disposed of the perfectly edible meat because British culture deemed the consumption of horse meat as disgusting. The chain neglected to ask the needy themselves if they would care to try the meat.
By regulating food waste, citizens of lower means will be able to acquire food with dignity. Unspoiled food will go directly to food banks, where it must be stocked hygienically and distributed with human interaction and a sense of community, as opposed to handed out on the street.
There is the question of whether simply donating to the homeless is enough. In the face of benefit sanctions, wage levels remaining stagnant and high amount of people in debt, many people with a roof over their head are also struggling to make ends meet.
Although the decision to donate all surplus food to the needy is admirable, it does raise the question of whether the government is simply transferring responsibility to supermarkets, instead of dealing with the poverty issue.
The Construction Industry is the backbone of the UK economy. 2.9 million people are employed in it, and it contributes £90 million annually (ref. Competitive Advantage). Seeing as it’s such as massive part of our lives, obviously this brings environmental concerns when it comes to waste disposal. In this blog post, therefore, we have highlighted some of those concerns, especially those which are most prominent here in the North-West.
We here at North West Waste Consultants handle waste in the most efficient and environmentally-friendly manner for all of our clients, with a vast range of company sizes and industry sectors. However, the question has been asked: what are the biggest causes of waste in the UK? Here, we look at some of the big players of waste creation in Britain.
The construction industry is one of the biggest causes of waste in the UK, and that more specifically comes from the wastage of raw materials. Counting for more than 50% of all desposited material in a typical landfill, construction waste can be further broken down into material waste, labour waste and machinery waste. This ties in with a report from the UK Green Building Council, which noted that the construction and demolition sectors generate 120 million tonnes of waste every year, roughly a third of all waste produced in the UK. Therefore, it’s safe to say that the major construction companies in the UK account for a hefty percentage the waste created, but fortunately we have strong working relationships with these organisations so that the waste stemming from major construction sites is always handled carefully and correctly.
Another major cause of waste comes from farming. An article from The Guardian in 2016 suggested that farming was amongst the biggest causes of air pollution and waste not only in the UK, but Europe as a whole. The source of this came from a study which found that the nitrogen compounds from the fertilisers on the farm, along with the animal waste, are mixed with air that has already been polluted from general industry waste, the two combine to form solid particles which can cause breathing difficulties, impaired lungs and heart function, and in extreme cases, even the potential for premature deaths.
There are other major industry sectors which heavily contribute to waste, one of which comes from the retail sector, and big-budget supermarkets in general. A recent report from the College of Estate Management on UK Shopping Centres and the Sustainability Agenda suggested that due to the costs involved, retailers in general have not taken enough steps as a whole in reducing the amount of waste being produced, ranging from unused cardboard and polythene waste to the likes of used drinks can, plastic bottles, glass and food waste, not to mention any unsold or unused food and drink products which remain in the stock rooms beyond their sell-by dates and are therefore not edible. However, some shops and shopping centres are progressing, such as the Belle Vale Shopping Centre in Liverpool, which recently lifted an environmental award for promoting the best practice in regards to waste disposal. So, whilst retail does produce a lot of waste, and the industry as a whole could do more, some shops and shopping centres are moving in the right direction when it comes to waste disposal and reducing waste creation.
In any event, however, North West Waste Consultants are here to ensure that regardless of how the waste is created or how much of it comes from specific sectors or industries, we will be able to identify the most suitable methods of handling and disposing of all waste, recycling and reusing wherever possible, and generally ensuring a clear and logical method of waste disposal for the future.
To find out more about North West Waste Consultants and how we help our clients with handling their waste, you can visit www.northwestwaste.co.uk.
Hazardous waste materials such as paint, solvents, oil, pesticides, detergents, chemicals and batteries, are unwanted materials that can have life and environmentally-threatening consequences! There are different disposal methods which offer suitability for safely recycling these materials in the safest and correct manner.
Did you know that you are responsible for separating your hazardous waste from your general waste? Discover everything you need to know about safe hazardous waste disposal here!
Storing hazardous waste
When storing hazardous materials, it’s essential that you use specialised equipment – whether it’s a container or a drum – you have the responsibility of keeping the waste secured and locked away – preventing any harm or pollution! You must also label the container with a suitable description, ensuring other people know exactly what is inside (therefore you’re not compromising their safety either) and making it easier for when someone collects your hazardous waste.
Waste collections
Are you working on a construction site?
North West Waste can arrange to collect ALL your hazardous waste – providing you with a Full Duty of Care documentation pack. There is no need for you to disrupt your project, NWWC will arrange to collect any waste at your convenience.
Audit trails Duty of Care
It is advisable for you to record as much detail as you can with regards to any hazardous waste that you have produced – right up until it is disposed of (Duty of Care). If you have a record for the safe disposal of hazardous waste, it should be kept safe and organised. If you are removing any hazardous materials, you must have a signed consignment note and once the waste has been dealt with a consignee return will be sent out to you (these must be kept for 3 years).
At North West Waste Consultants, we understand that the regulations are not straightforward, hence why we provide you with a wealth of industry expertise and information that can educate you on the importance of hazardous waste disposal.
If you require a waste disposal plan, North West Waste Consultants can ensure that you’re following the suitable procedure and have the correct documentation for the disposal of your hazardous waste. Please call the office on 01744 758349 or simply click on the link below.
OK, so what is hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste materials such as paint, solvents, oil, pesticides, detergents, chemicals and batteries, are unwanted materials that can have life and environmentally-threatening consequences! There are different disposal methods which offer suitability for safely recycling these materials, in a way that preserves the environment and doesn’t cause any implications for wildlife either.
Did you know that you are responsible for separating your hazardous waste from your general waste? Discover everything you need to know about safe hazardous waste disposal here!
