ZERO TO WASTE LANDFILL

Written by Sam on February 13, 2017. Posted in waste management

A Quick Guide on How to Control Your Construction Waste

Construction projects of any size generate significant amounts of waste — from leftover materials and packaging to demolition debris. Without a clear plan in place, this waste can quickly become costly and environmentally damaging. The good news is that with a little forethought, construction waste is largely manageable.

Here is a quick guide to help you take control of waste on your construction site.

Plan Before You Build

Effective waste management starts before a single brick is laid. During the planning phase, take time to estimate the types and volumes of waste your project is likely to generate. This will help you put the right disposal and recycling arrangements in place from the outset, avoiding last-minute scrambles and unnecessary costs.

Order Only What You Need

Over-ordering materials is one of the most common causes of construction waste. Take accurate measurements and calculate your material requirements carefully before placing orders. Where possible, order in stages rather than all at once — this reduces the risk of excess materials going unused and ending up as waste.

Segregate Waste on Site

Sorting waste at the point it is generated makes recycling and disposal far more efficient. Set up clearly labelled skips or bins for different waste streams — such as timber, metal, concrete, plasterboard, and general waste. Proper segregation ensures that recyclable materials are not contaminated and can be processed correctly.

Reuse and Repurpose Where Possible

Before discarding leftover materials, consider whether they can be reused elsewhere on site. Off-cuts of timber, excess bricks, and surplus aggregate can often find a second use if handled carefully. Materials that cannot be reused on your project may also be of value to other contractors — consider donating or selling them rather than sending them to landfill.

Recycle as Much as Possible

A large proportion of construction waste is recyclable. Metals, concrete, bricks, timber, and certain plastics can all be processed and given a new lease of life. Work with a reputable waste management company that can help you maximise recycling rates and ensure materials are diverted from landfill wherever feasible.

Hire the Right Skip for the Job

Having the correct skip size on site is essential. Too small and waste will overflow, creating a safety hazard and requiring additional collections. Too large and you are paying for space you do not need. A waste management specialist can advise you on the most appropriate skip size based on the scale and nature of your project.

Stay Compliant with Waste Regulations

Construction waste in the UK is subject to strict regulations. You have a legal duty of care to ensure your waste is handled, transported, and disposed of responsibly by a licensed waste carrier. Failure to comply can result in significant fines, so it is important to keep records of all waste transfers and disposal activities throughout your project.

Managing construction waste effectively is not just good for the environment — it can also reduce your project costs, keep your site safer, and protect your business reputation. With the right approach and the right waste management partner, achieving a cleaner, more sustainable site is well within reach.

Written by Sam on December 19, 2016. Posted in waste management

The History of Waste Management.

The history of waste management is a story of urban modernization as people moved to cities, and the industrial revolution that attracted them, as businesses and amenities made waste removal infrastructure necessary for environmental and sanitation reasons. It wasn’t until sanitation became so bad in UK urban areas, that a cholera outbreak led to a greater understanding of the need for waste management. The first outbreak in London 1832, was initially thought have been spread by a bad smell, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century when Dr. John Snow hypothesized that the disease was water-borne. This not only led to a better understanding of the disease but also brought about London’s subterranean sewage system. The modern history of waste management can be traced back to the 1875 Public Health Act, which brought into law modern refuse collection – and demanded that household waste be put into transportable form. Since then, waste has been tackled in many ways. In the 1920’s, the first incinerator was produced and first used in Nottingham. While successful in reducing waste, the incinerator’s by-product was clouds of pollution over the city, and this method ultimately faced strong opposition. Landfill sites are still used to this day, and remain the most effective means of waste removal and management for a growing population with increasing consumption habits – but focus is now turning to reducing these waste mountains. However, waste management techniques have continued to evolve as the environment, and the issue of pollution gaining in increasing importance, and also the needs of business to safely dispose of waste. Recycling has become essential to reduce costs and to re-use expensive or finite resources, as issues of our effect on the planet becoming a pressing issue. Plastics account for 10% by weight and 26% by volume of all recycling in the UK; glass can be recycled indefinitely and is 100% recyclable. Metals, on the other hand, are much more difficult to recycle and can lead to further pollution and pollutants reaching water supplies and soil. Paper recycling is essential to minimize deforestation – and the bulk of this comes through commercial use – but the switch to a paperless society and working methods, mean that businesses are reducing the need for this type of recycling. The ideal in waste management is the concept of ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ in which all waste can be broken down into its basic constituents and recycled effectively. Aside from the tangible economic benefits to businesses and firms, it is necessary for a world in which ‘carbon neutral’ objectives are becoming an imperative and a reality. The commitment for business to implement a zero waste to landfill strategy requires planning and commitment, but with these measures in place it could lead to organizations finding that they can reduce their outlay through the supply chain.

Written by Sam on January 30, 2017. Posted in Construction, environmental, hazardous waste, lifestyle, problems, recycling, waste management

The Modern Rules Of Waste Management

The starting point for any discussion about waste management has to be any legislation that has changed the industry. Perhaps most crucial, is the EU Waste Framework Directive, which came into force in December 2008. EU directives have provided long-term vision and guidance for waste management in the UK, particularly in terms of recycling and environmental risks and hazards. Indeed, the EU directives require all EU member states to prevent or reduce waste products and encourage the recovery of waste by recycling, reuse or reclamation where possible. Other legislation that businesses should be aware of are:

But what is waste? Waste is defined as:

A material is considered to be waste when the producer or holder discards it, intends to discard it, or is required to discard it.

Businesses must be contracted to a registered waste carrier to collect their waste; these registered carriers must be registered with the Environment Agency – and it is the responsibility of the business to ensure that those who remove waste, have the authority to do so. Registered waste carriers will issue a Waste Carrier Note, which businesses must keep for two year – it is essential that these are kept, as local councils can legal ask to show these – failure to do so can lead to an unlimited fine. If your business deals with food, it is essential to know the rules on this, as there are strict rules on animal by-products and other potentially dangerous contaminants. Other forms of waste maybe hazardous too – if it contains things such as batteries, solvents, chemicals, oils or pesticides – then this may need to be disposed of through special means, due to the environment damage or contamination that it can cause. Check here for more information. Electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) waste, is another major problem for businesses in the modern world. This is complex due to the many components that they contain, and not only do they do not biodegrade, but they can also contain contaminants – things like printer ink, or cathode ray tubes, for example. Much of can be repurposed, when using specialist WEEE waste experts. For more information on this, and to check on what types of waste this is and how to go about disposing of it – check here. Waste management can be a major headache for any firm, but with some research and a logical approach – it can help businesses save money and help the environment.

Written by Sam on December 5, 2016. Posted in Construction, environmental, hazardous waste, lifestyle, problems, recycling, waste management

Seven Top Hidden Risks In The Waste Management Industry

Try as we might, we can’t ever avoid risk. Even when we’re trying to do something as positive as waste management. As business, you try to avoid risk at all costs. Depending on what kind of business you’re in, and if you’re in a waste management industry job, you probably fill out risk assessments on a weekly, if not daily basis. But what are the hidden risks? The ones that slip under the radar and catch you out at the last moment. Some are easily forgotten or not even thought about, but unfortunately, be it in law, personal injury or environmental damage, it won’t matter how hidden the risks are.

Legal Risks.

Doesn’t sound as nitty gritty as hazardous waste but like everything waste management has some hefty rules and a lot of those could be ones that a business may not think about. Waste management is more than following the three R’s. The definition of ‘waste’ differs throughout legal literature and it’s important that there’s someone or several people making sure that any hidden waste management laws are dealt with and not purring your business at legal risk.

Hazardous Waste

This isn’t just the toxic, green, acid like substance we see in tv and film. But chemical and biological waste such as car batteries, bleach, varnishes, dead animal carcasses, straw, hay needle, human waste, garden products and much, much more. All of these things can cause harm to someone in contact with them. While some of these wastes may seem obviously hazardous (human waste, carcasses, bleach ect) things like garden products, straw, hay and batteries may slip under the radar, risking harm to others. Obviously the biggest risk with hazardous waste is the harm to employee’s interacting with it. This can be through several ways…

Risk of Injection.

As stated before, things like needles count as hazardous waste. Therefore if someone’s skin is penetrated with a needle or sharp object, then they are exposed to any kind of contamination and are at risk. It can often be something overlooked as especially if the waste is a mass and hasn’t been organised into categories or managed effectively.

Skin Contact

This doesn’t just mean hands or through cuts and grazes. A thing that is often caught out is the contact with eyes that also counts as a skin contact. Anything that is getting involved with eye membrane and mucus is going to cause damage.

Inhalation Risks

Breathing around waste is a risk. And a hidden one at that. Asbestos, gas and all other inhalable toxins lurk in waste. Hidden from sight until someone takes that deep breath before starting work on waste management. Things like masks should be provided by an employer but even regular health checks for employees could be a good thing to offer, minimising this hidden risk.

Noise Risks

Sounds odd, but it is a genuine risk for something working in waste management. From machinery to the deafening noise of glass collection and methods of recycling. Over time this can become quite a dangerous thing for work.

Personal Hygiene- Or lack of.

Whatever your position in waste management, you know that it’s an environment to stay clean and hygienic in. Poor hygiene practises amongst staff, poor hygiene education and/or lack of proper washing facilities can make those waste management risks even riskier and harder to spot.

Written by Sam on January 2, 2017. Posted in waste management

5 Unbelievable Facts About Waste Management

Waste is the unseen problem, once we dispose of it we think about it no more. While your waste costs might not be so forgettable when its on your company’s balance sheet, for most of us – your employees included, don’t think about it once it goes in the rubbish bin or pile. Readjusting your waste disposal habits and placing a greater emphasis on recycling and re-use could save your company serious cash in the long run. Here are 5 facts to get you thinking: 1. Each year in he UK, we throw out nearly 50 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – if all the components were laid end-to-end, that would reach to the moon three times. More shocking still, is that 25% of it is functioning equipment – and if it were to be re-used would save a total of £200m! 2. Most people believe that the majority of waste comes from households and domestic use – this is false; household waste only accounts for 9% of the country’s total waste; only around 25% of it comes from households and commercial business use combined. The rest of it, comes from construction and demolition; sewage sludge and farming; spoils from mining, and the drudging of rivers. Every hour the nation creates enough waste to fill the Albert Hall. 3. Food waste from the catering and leisure industries amounts to £724 million in spoiled food. Think how many people that could feed? 4. 50% of the renewable energy that we produce each year comes from gases that are emitted from landfill sites, hardly surprising as each person throws away seven times their own body weight in rubbish. 5. Glass and metal can be recycled an infinite number of times: six billion glass bottles and jar are thrown away each year – it would take three and a half thousand years to sing ‘six billion green bottles’, which is nothing compared to how long glass sticks around for: as it doesn’t decompose or break down, it will last forever. Recycling one glass bottle would save enough energy to power a laptop for 25 minutes.

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North West Waste Consultants based in St Helens was set up in 2009 by Warren Aspinall, with the view to help local and national companies reduce their landfill and general waste costs.

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North West Waste, 4 Old Smithy
Church Road, Rainford,
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warren@northwestwaste.co.uk