The social aspect of festivals in the UK and the energetic entertainment featured in festivals draws millions of people per year. Music festivals alone locally attract almost seven million people. Also, millions more are attending events that are food related, dance, art and culture related events.Despite the excitement of British festivals, overuse and improper disposal of things or resources remain a problem.The management of wastes is a problem that organizers face, whether it is large or small events.Waste management is a very important aspect that needs to be well addressed in any festival that will be held at a specific site. All of us have witnessed the post event scenario where the management of wastes has not been done effectively. As a result, the fields are strewn with trash, left over tents and chairs etc.According to one report, music festivals camping in the United Kingdom produce 25,800 tonnes of waste each year. Preventive measures are always the best but not always feasible. Thus, the need to ensure that reusability is made a priority, and the festival attendees are educated on proper disposal of waste.If you are an organizer, here are practical strategies that you can employ to help you avoid problems and make the festival more sanitary and environmentally friendly.
Involve the guests!
Since festival goers are major contributors to on site waste, their participation is of paramount importance in the promotion of low waste practices. Some experts recommend that we take a green pledge for the event. These could be things like do not litter the festival grounds or other people, properly dispose of garbage in the right bins, and keep camps neat and clean.It is necessary to explain the policies for waste reduction at your event. List the items that should be avoided as they contribute to waste. In the same regard, come up with new measures that can help in the proper handling of wastes. For instance, cup return programs.Prior to the event, use emails and social media to interact with the attendees. Share with them several simple ways through which they could help in conserving the environment. Promote the utilization of cups, food containers, bags, and ashtray pouches that are recyclable. Provide recommendations for non-disposable products such as package-less personal care and a washcloth instead of wet wipes.
Choose Eco-Conscious Suppliers
While selecting the vendors or suppliers for your festival, try to select those who are conscious about environment. Try not to use polystyrene or any other material that cannot be recycled.If there are composting facilities for composting food waste, then try to encourage vendors who use biodegradable packaging which can be composted along with food waste. If composting is not possible, it is important that all the food packaging material is recyclable.Although accepting that waste cannot be eliminated completely, have specific and comprehensive conversations with each caterer about ways to reduce waste. Organizing your vendors to be as environmentally friendly as possible is a great way to make your event more sustainable and to show people that it is possible to make a difference.
Hire Waste Managers
Selecting the right waste management company is very important in the achievement of minimizing waste and recycling at your festival.Festivals are a difficult environment for waste management companies. They have to deal with a high level of contamination that leads to low recycling rates and complicates the work. While some of the firms may be reluctant to undertake these tasks, others will be willing to assist.However, do not fall for the lowest quote, as it may be very attractive but may involve compromising on the quality of a paper. Choose a company that is conscious of the environment and the need to recycle products rather than providing a fast and cheap fix.In negotiations with the shortlisted firms, ask them about the disposal of wastes and if they can give detailed waste statistics after the event.
Delegate On-Site Waste Management Crew
Festivals are always a bit messy, and it is hard to avoid littering. This means that planning ahead is of vital importance. Organize a clean-up crew to manage the waste generated during the event to ensure that the area is clean.This team will partner with your waste management company to clean bins and ensure that litter is collected on time. This way the bins will be clean and there will be no litter all over the site which will also improve the overall appearance of the site.Promote this team by recruiting volunteers who are willing to work for this team and in return they will be given a free ticket. Divide volunteers into shifts to be able to have a constant coverage of the festival throughout the day.
Plan a Post-Festival Cleanup
It is essential to note that even when a waste management plan has been put in place, there is still a lot of cleaning up to be done after an event. Ensure that your on-site personnel are ready to sort, dispose of, or deal with any leftover waste materials.After the camping event, there is usually a lot of litter left behind. Abandoned tents are something. Invest in measures to redistribute the abandoned tents to the needy population, ensuring environmental friendliness.For excess food from vendors, organize on how the same can be donated to needy charities or food banks in a bid to minimize wastage.When you are thinking about waste management after the event, you are already saving the environment while supporting social causes and creating a favorable image in the eyes of the attendees and the public.
Traditionally spring cleaning is associated with the transition from winter to summer, however, there is always a risk that the process will seem very complicated. Not only does it put many people under increased stress level, but it also leads to accumulation of household waste, which in turn may negatively affect the environment. In fact, in 2020 alone, UK households produced a whopping 27.0 million tonnes of waste, which clearly illustrates that the existing process should be replaced with a more responsible and efficient one.
Nevertheless, by making a few basic changes, spring cleaning can be transformed into a fun, conscious and meaningful practice for both you and the environment. Here tips to help you get the most out of your spring cleaning:
Take It One Room at a Time
Divide the spring cleaning tasks into more manageable chunks by accomplishing one room at a time. Thus, this methodology can ease the stress of the assignment, making it more achievable and less overwhelming, so you can concentrate and give your best at the task.
Declutter
Take this as a chance to clean your house and discard things that are of no use to you or you no longer have any use to them. Give or sell items that are in good condition, as that will help other people to use them and prevent waste.
Choose Sustainable Cleaning Products
Instead of using chemicals and other harmful cleaning products, select eco-friendly and natural alternatives that act gently on the environment. Brands such as Smol are making use of ingenious and eco-friendly alternatives that help to minimise plastic wastes and have a cleaner planet as a result.
Donate or Sell Unwanted Items
When you are through with an item and donating or selling it instead of discarding it is a good option. It is not only a waste reduction measure but also a chance for other people to extend their benefit from your pre-owned items.
Start with the Kitchen
Start your spring cleaning by organising the kitchen cupboards, removing all expired items, and thoroughly cleaning all appliances like the oven. Eco-friendly cleaning products should be used to lessen environmental impacts as well as to provide a thoroughly clean surface.
Vacuum Furniture
Don’t leave out the step of giving your furniture a good vacuuming in order to suck up the dust and dirt that may have accumulated over time.
Prepare the Garden
With summer right in the corner, you need to start the process of readying your garden for summer. Compost and dispose of garden wastes properly. And if the need is urgent, make use of professional garden waste removal services.
Team Up
Spring cleaning doesn’t need to be an individual affair. Let friends and family participate in the process to make it more fun and faster.
Make It Fun
Get your spring cleaning off to a good start and make it fun by picking a cleaning playlist, conducting friendly competitions, or using other means to help everyone involved find joy in the process.
NORTH WEST WASTE CONSULTANTS
By applying these guidelines, you can turn your spring cleaning into a more environmentally friendly, recreational and gratifying experience, not only for you but also for the planet.
Should you need help in discarding unwanted items after your spring cleaning, get help from North West Waste Consultants. We offer reliable waste removal services with guaranteed satisfaction. Our services are tailored according to the needs of our clients. Rest assured, that you will get the best help to take care of your property’s waste.
One of the most significant environmental challenges affecting the entire world is food waste. Since thousands of meals are prepared and consumed in learning institutions daily, large quantities of food end up being chucked. This degrades the environment and wastes money. This article aims to discussing the measures that could be taken to prevent food waste in schools in the UK. Also, to promote sustainable attitudes of the population in the future.
A Clear Vision for Waste Reduction
It is essential that schools have a clear vision of the issue of waste before starting the process of waste reduction. It is crucial to know the various forms of waste, including unwanted meals, expired products, or leftovers that are usually discarded in the kitchen.
Engaging Students for Better Choices
Involving students can help to reduce the amount of wastage by revolutionizing the menu planning process. By engaging the students in the decision-making process of the school, the schools can be able to develop menus that suit the students’ liking and disliking. Tasting panels or surveys can be extremely useful in coming up with better and less wasteful meals for people to consider.
Serving Just Enough
Managing portion sizes can significantly reduce wastage levels in the foodservice industry. Enabling students to choose their portions and training the serving crew on how to serve portions that are appropriate can assist in controlling the portions of food that are served hence minimizing the amount of food that is wasted.
Encouraging Eco-Friendly Practices
The move to encourage the use of recyclable containers among students and staff is a noble step towards the reduction of wastes. Apart from the reduction of the amount of packaging material used, this approach also helps address the problem of portion distortion since the container can be made to fit the portion size required.
Transforming Food Waste into Fertilizers
Composting of waste products is one of the best ways that can be used in managing food waste. By composting such wastes, schools can reduce their effects on the environment while providing soil amendments for the school’s garden or local farms.
Efficient use of available resources
Food preparation methods should be efficient enough to avoid wastage of foodstuffs. Teaching the kitchen staff how to use raw products to the optimum and how to store the ingredients also enhances the usage of the resources in the right manner so that they do not go to waste.
Educate and Involve the Community
To ensure that there is change in the way that waste is managed, the entire school community should be involved. The various educational campaigns can be used to educate the students, the staff, and the parents.Tackling food waste in schools requires a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders in the school. Through measures like menu planning changes, the promotion of environmentally friendly practices, and community sharing, schools can greatly reduce their environmental impact and teach students about sustainability. With coordinated and continuous improvement, UK schools should set a precedent to reduce food waste in the world and create a sustainable environment.
In today’s world, businesses are increasingly focused on sustainability and minimising their environmental impact. One key way to achieve this is by striving for zero waste to landfill. This approach aims to divert all waste from landfills, reducing environmental harm and often leading to cost savings for businesses.
At North West Waste, we understand the importance of sustainable waste management and are committed to helping businesses achieve their zero-waste goals. Here are five key ways we can help your business embark on this journey:
1. Conducting Waste Audits and Developing a Strategy:
The first step towards zero waste is understanding your current waste footprint. North West Waste offers comprehensive waste audits. Our experts will analyze your waste streams, identify areas for improvement, and create a customized strategy tailored to your specific needs. This strategy will outline achievable goals, identify the most effective waste management solutions, and recommend actionable steps for implementation.
2. Implementing Effective Recycling Programs:
Many businesses generate significant amounts of recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal. North West Waste offers a variety of recycling programs designed to streamline and maximise your recycling efforts. We provide dedicated bins and collection services, ensuring proper segregation and efficient recycling of different materials. We also stay updated on changing regulations and ensure your business remains compliant.
3. Exploring Alternative Waste Disposal Methods:
While some waste may not be recyclable, it doesn’t have to end up in landfills. North West Waste can help you explore alternative disposal methods that contribute to a more sustainable future. These options may include:
Energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities: These facilities convert non-recyclable waste into energy, providing a valuable source of renewable power.
Composting: Organic waste, such as food scraps and garden trimmings, can be composted into nutrient-rich soil, which can then be used for landscaping or agriculture.
Waste-to-product (W2P) initiatives: Certain materials can be repurposed and transformed into new products, reducing dependence on virgin resources.
4. Prioritising Employee Education and Engagement:
The success of any zero-waste initiative hinges on the active participation of your employees. North West Waste can assist you in developing educational programs that raise awareness about waste reduction and recycling practices. We can also provide resources and training to empower your staff to make informed decisions regarding waste disposal in their daily work.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement:
Achieving zero waste to landfill is an ongoing process. North West Waste will partner with you to monitor your progress and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as waste reduction rates and recycling percentages. This ongoing analysis allows us to identify areas for further improvement and refine your strategy to ensure continuous progress towards your zero-waste goals.
By implementing these five steps, your business can embark on a journey towards a more sustainable future. North West Waste is your dedicated partner in this process, providing the expertise, resources, and commitment needed to achieve zero waste to landfill. Contact us today for a free consultation and discuss how we can help your business contribute to a cleaner and greener tomorrow.
Together, let’s create a future where waste is a thing of the past!
At North West Waste, we understand that skip hire can be a convenient and efficient way to dispose of unwanted waste. That’s why we’re committed to providing a smooth and hassle-free experience from booking to collection.
Skip Delivery
Once you’ve booked your skip and chosen a delivery date, you can expect our reliable team to deliver your skip within a six-hour window on the agreed day. While we strive to offer same-day delivery whenever possible, it’s not always guaranteed.
What to Prepare for Skip Delivery
To ensure a smooth skip delivery, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Clearance: Please ensure there’s a clear and unobstructed area of at least 3 meters (10 feet) around the designated skip delivery location. This will allow our driver ample space to safely manoeuvre and offload the skip.
Parking: If possible, try to reserve a parking space for the delivery vehicle near the designated skip placement area. This will minimise any disruption caused by the delivery process.
Ground Conditions: Please ensure the ground where the skip will be placed is level and firm enough to support the weight of the skip and its contents. We recommend placing the skip on a driveway or paved surface. Avoid placing it on soft ground, such as grass, as this could cause the skip to sink.
Skip Collection
On your designated collection day, our team will arrive within a six-hour window to collect your skip. To ensure a swift collection process, please ensure that all the waste you intend to dispose of is within the skip’s capacity and weight limit.
Here are some additional tips for skip collection:
Overfilling: Avoid overfilling the skip. If the skip is overloaded, we may not be able to collect it due to safety restrictions.
Sharp Objects: If disposing of sharp objects, please ensure they are securely wrapped to prevent injury to our collection team.
Hazardous Waste: Please note that we cannot accept hazardous waste in our skips. If you have hazardous waste to dispose of, please contact your local council for guidance.
Booking Your Skip with Northwest Waste
If you’re looking for a reliable skip hire company in the Northwest, look no further than Northwest Waste. We offer a wide range of skip sizes to suit your needs, and our competitive prices ensure you get great value for money.
Booking your skip with Northwest Waste is quick and easy. You can book online through our website or give us a call to discuss your requirements. Our friendly team is always happy to help!
We hope this blog post has helped you understand what to expect after booking a skip with North West Waste. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
