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.
