How to Reduce Waste for Businesses

In the modern world, reducing waste is not just an environmental responsibility; it’s a must.

Businesses that manage waste effectively not only contribute to the planet’s health but can also save money, improve efficiency, and enhance their public image.

Reducing waste can be a particularly important way to align with local environmental goals while boosting their sustainability credentials.

Today, we’re going to break down some easy strategies businesses can adopt to reduce waste. As the leading provider of waste management services and commercial skip hire across Wales and South Western England, we know more than most the massive amount of waste that can be created by businesses that overlook this.

From simple changes to more comprehensive systems, these steps will help businesses cut down on waste, reduce environmental impact, and even save costs in the long run.

Let’s jump right in:

1. Conduct a Waste Audit

GD environmental skip

The first step in waste reduction is understanding where your waste is coming from. By conducting a waste audit, businesses can identify key areas where waste is being generated and determine how much of it is recyclable or reusable. A waste audit typically involves:

  • Tracking waste streams: What types of materials are you throwing away? Is it primarily paper, packaging, food waste, or electronics?
  • Quantifying waste: How much waste is being produced? This helps businesses understand where reductions need to occur.
  • Assessing recycling rates: Are all recyclable materials being properly sorted and diverted from the landfill?

A waste audit gives you a comprehensive overview of your current waste practices, making it easier to pinpoint areas for improvement and identify opportunities for cost savings.

2. Implement a Recycling Program

recycling

Once you understand your waste streams, the next step is to implement a comprehensive recycling program. Many businesses in Wales and the South West are working hard to recycle more effectively, but it’s still easy for recyclables to end up in the trash due to lack of awareness or poor infrastructure.

Setting up a robust recycling system might seem like a simple step, but it requires careful planning. Here are some key components to consider:

  • Separate bins: Set up separate bins for different types of waste, such as paper, plastic, metal, and food scraps. Clearly label them to make it easy for employees and customers to use the bins properly.
  • Employee training: Educate staff on what can and cannot be recycled. Misplaced items, like food-contaminated containers or plastic bags, can often contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, rendering them useless.
  • Choose a reliable waste management partner: Partnering with a waste management company that offers dedicated recycling services can help streamline the process. You can also work with a provider who sorts your waste for you and ensures that recyclable materials are diverted from landfills. 

Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste while supporting a circular economy, where materials are reused and repurposed instead of being discarded.

3. Reduce Packaging Waste

Plastic bottles and rubbish, floating in water.

Excessive packaging is one of the largest contributors to waste in many industries, especially retail and e-commerce. Businesses can take several steps to minimise packaging waste:

  • Choose sustainable packaging: Opt for materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or made from recycled content. Avoid packaging materials that cannot be recycled, such as plastic films and polystyrene.
  • Reduce packaging size: Whenever possible, reduce the amount of packaging used for products. This might mean opting for smaller boxes or simply packaging items in a way that doesn’t require excessive padding.
  • Encourage reusable packaging: Some businesses, especially those in the food and beverage industry, have switched to offering reusable containers or packaging, which not only reduces waste but encourages customer loyalty.

E-commerce businesses can also encourage customers to opt for minimal packaging options during the checkout process. If a customer selects fewer items or orders bulk goods, packaging waste can be significantly reduced.

4. Adopt Digital Processes to Reduce Paper Waste

Ruth Jones BMRA Harold John

In the digital age, there’s no need for businesses to rely on paper-based processes for documentation, communication, or even marketing. Shifting from paper to digital can drastically reduce the amount of waste generated in the workplace. Here are some ideas:

  • Switch to digital invoicing and contracts: This not only saves on paper, but also improves efficiency and security. Electronic documentation is easier to store, retrieve, and share.
  • Communicate through digital channels: Move away from printing flyers, brochures, and newsletters by switching to digital communication like email marketing and social media. Many customers prefer receiving information electronically, and you’ll save on printing costs and paper waste.
  • Go paperless in the office: Implement a paperless office policy by encouraging employees to reduce printing. Use digital files for meetings, notes, and reference materials. Invest in cloud storage to eliminate the need for physical filing cabinets and paperwork.

Transitioning to digital practices can help businesses cut down on paper waste and improve overall efficiency.

5. Encourage the Use of Reusable Items

sustainability

Single-use items, such as coffee cups, water bottles, and plastic cutlery, create a significant amount of waste in many office environments. One effective way to reduce waste is by encouraging employees to switch to reusable alternatives:

  • Provide reusable cups and water bottles: Offering employees branded reusable cups and bottles can reduce reliance on disposable plastic cups and bottles, which often end up in landfills.
  • Ban single-use plastics: Encourage employees to bring their own lunch containers and cutlery, or provide reusable alternatives in the break room. Many businesses have successfully eliminated single-use plastics in the office by offering durable, reusable items.
  • Incentivise sustainable behaviors: Provide rewards or incentives for employees who use reusable products or reduce waste in other areas. This can help create a culture of sustainability within the workplace.

By shifting to reusable items, businesses can significantly reduce the amount of waste they produce daily.

6. Compost Food Waste

A picture of coffee grounds, which are now being used to help create bio-fuel.

Food waste is another major area where businesses can make a significant impact. Restaurants, cafés, and offices with kitchens can all reduce their food waste by composting organic material. Composting not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also creates nutrient-rich soil that can be used for landscaping or community gardens.

Here are some tips for implementing a composting program:

  • Set up a compost bin: In areas where food waste is generated, set up a dedicated compost bin and ensure that employees know what can be composted (fruit peels, coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, etc.).
  • Separate food waste: Encourage staff to separate food scraps from general waste. This might involve placing compost bins alongside regular trash bins in kitchen or dining areas.
  • Work with a composting service: If your business produces a significant amount of food waste, you may want to partner with a waste management company that provides food waste composting services.

Composting is an easy way to reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills while turning it into something useful.

7. Review Your Supply Chain for Sustainability

aerosols

Sustainability doesn’t just stop at your business’s doorstep—it extends throughout your supply chain. Work with suppliers who are committed to reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Consider these steps:

  • Choose suppliers with sustainable practices: Whether it’s reducing packaging, using renewable materials, or employing energy-efficient manufacturing processes, working with green suppliers can help your business minimise waste.
  • Opt for local suppliers: Sourcing products and materials locally not only reduces transportation emissions but also minimises packaging waste and promotes a circular economy within your local community.
  • Request eco-friendly packaging: When sourcing raw materials or products, request that your suppliers use sustainable packaging that aligns with your waste-reduction goals.

By working closely with suppliers who prioritise sustainability, you’ll make a significant impact in reducing waste across the entire supply chain.

8. Work with a Waste Removal Service That Offers Recycling

GD van

Finally, partnering with a waste removal service that prioritises recycling and sustainable waste management is essential for businesses that want to reduce their environmental impact. A reputable commercial skip hire and waste removal company can help you develop a customised waste disposal strategy, making it easier for your business to divert waste from landfills and ensure materials are recycled appropriately.

Look for a waste removal service that offers:

  • Comprehensive recycling programs: A company that sorts and recycles waste on your behalf can help streamline your waste management process, ensuring more materials are recycled and less are sent to landfills.
  • Waste reduction support: Many waste management companies provide advice and tools to help businesses reduce waste generation in the first place.
  • Responsible disposal practices: Choose a waste partner that adheres to local regulations and best practices for environmental sustainability.

GD is the number one provider in the Wales & South West area so feel free to get in touch if you’re looking for help reducing your waste, managing it more effectively and avoiding fines.

By choosing the right waste removal partner, businesses in Wales and the South West can confidently meet their sustainability goals while improving efficiency and minimising waste.

The bottom line is this – reducing waste in a business isn’t just about cutting down on trash—it’s about embracing a sustainable mindset that benefits both the environment and the business itself.

By implementing a recycling program, reducing packaging waste, switching to digital processes, and encouraging reusable items, businesses can make significant strides in reducing their environmental impact.

Additionally, partnering with a waste removal service that supports recycling and sustainability can help you streamline your waste management practices and ensure that your company remains aligned with its green goals.

The journey to waste reduction is ongoing, but with the right tools, strategies, and partnerships, businesses can make a lasting positive impact on the planet—and their own financial health.

What is a waste transfer note?

What is a waste transfer note?

For each load of non-hazardous waste, you (as a business) move off your premises, you need to complete a waste transfer note (WTN). It is a legally required piece of documentation in the UK that records the transfer of waste from one organisation to another. The document must contain key information (detailed below) to help ensure waste is handled, transported and disposed of responsibly, in compliance with environmental regulations. Both you and the person receiving the waste must complete a WTN.

 

Information that must be collected on a WTN

The following materials will need to be segregated on-site, and collected separately:

  • A description of the waste in words and as a code. Find the code in guidance on the classification and assessment of waste
  • How the waste is contained or packaged e.g. sacks, skips, drums or bins
  • Glass
  • The quantity of the waste
  • The name, address, permit or exemption details of the business transferring the waste, and their Standard Industry Code (SIC)
  • The name, address, permit or exemption details of the business collecting the waste
  • The date of, and place where, the waste transfer happened
  • The details of any waste broker or dealer who arranged the waste transfer
  • Both parties must complete a waste transfer note each time non-hazardous waste is transferred between them.

 

Keeping records of WTN

You should keep copies of the waste transfer notes for at least two years

 

Domestic premises

You do not need to complete a waste transfer note for waste produced at your home.

Workplace Recycling in Wales Is Changing

What’s Happening and when?

From the 6th April 2024, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is making it law to separate collections of materials from all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.

 

What waste needs to be separated?

The following materials will need to be segregated on-site, and collected separately:

  • Food (by premises producing more than 5kg of food waste a week)
  • Paper and cardboard
  • Glass
  • Metal, plastic, cartons, and other fibre-plastic composite packaging of a similarcomposition
  • Unsold textiles
  • Unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)

 

There will also be a ban on the following;

    • Sending food waste to a sewer (any amount)
    • Separately collected waste going to incineration and landfill
    • All wood waste going to landfill

*You can mix paper and cardboard in the same container. You can mix metal, plastic, and cartons together.

 

Why is this happening?

This is part of Wales’ commitment to become a zero-waste nation. We aim to increase the quality and quantity of recycling from all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations. The UN suggests that we extract 90 billion tonnes of natural resources from the earth each year and these are soon to run out. This change in legislation, no matter how inconvenient it may seem is the start to help reduce our consumption rates and improve our re-use of materials.

 

Who will be affected by this change?

All businesses, charities, and public sector organisations including:

  • Farms
  • Hospitality (pubs, B&Bs, restaurants, hotels, campsites)
  • Showgrounds
  • Service stations and petrol stations
  • Entertainment and sports venues including leisure centres
  • Transport – bus stations, railway stations, seaports, airports, and heliports
  • Care and nursing homes
  • Pharmacies, GP surgeries, dental surgeries, and other primary care settings
  • Construction sites
  • Factories and warehouses
  • Car garages
  • Education – universities, colleges, and schools
  • Garden centres
  • Heritage buildings
  • Libraries and museums
  • Offices and workshops
  • Places of worship
  • Prisons
  • Outdoor markets and festivals
  • Retail

 

I’ve already got a plastic and food waste bin. Does this affect me?

In short, no, you’re already compliant in the context of the new legislation. For example, if you’re only producing plastic and cardboard waste at your premises, and these are going into separate bins to be collected separately, then you’re already doing what will be required come April.

 

I’m a business, what do I need to do?

Don’t worry, you are not alone during this transition. GD Environmental will be there to help your organisation to make this switch. Here is a useful guide to help you get ready:

 

Complete A Week Waste Audit Guide

A waste audit will help you and GD develop a tailored waste action plan ready for April 2024. If you currently have wheelie bins for Mixed Municipal Waste and/or Dry Mixed Recycling, you can follow this guidance to help understand your waste breakdown.

 

1. Lay out multiple containers in your office or workplace.

2. Separate your waste into the various types and dispose in an individual container:

a. Plastic

b. Glass

c. Metal

d. Paper and Cardboard

3. Weigh each container to understand the total weight of each stream, then X by 52 to calculate the annual waste production of each stream

4. Ring GD Environmental at 01633 277755 or email info@gd-environmental.co.uk with your findings and our Operations Team will be able to advise what bins you require and your lift frequency.

 

Useful tips

  • Inform your staff about the new law and discuss ideas on how this might affect your workplace. This video is very helpful to aid the discussion: Workplace recycling – YouTube
  • Think about what internal bins you might need. 60-litre capacity internal bins tend to work best for most offices, warehouses, and factories. Make sure these bins are clearly labeled and accessible to all staff

 

This is all too much I need help

For all our customers:

GD will make contact with you to agree on what supply of bins is necessary for your business and provide a clear price structure.

We are able to offer suggestions for the supply of bins based on the waste data we’ve recorded from your bin collections over the recent term.

 

  1. GD operatives deliver new bins to your site
  2. You start filling the bins with your segregated waste
  3. We collect the bins in our multi-compartment ash cart
  4. We work together to make Wales a zero-waste nation

 

For any potential customers who are daunted by the upcoming legislation change, please contact GD on 01633 277755/ info@gd-environmental.co.uk. Our Operations Team will be able to ensure your business is compliant come the 6th of April 2024.

Ruth Jones MP and BMRA Visit Harold John (Metals): A Step towards a Sustainable Circular Economy

Last week, Ruth Jones MP for Newport and Shadow Minister for Defra, visited W. Harold John (Metals) in Newport along with executives from the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA). The purpose of the visit was to gain first-hand knowledge about the metals recycling industry and explore the challenges faced by various industries in terms of workforce, trade, and the evolving global supply chain.

 

The BMRA plays a crucial role in promoting the metals recycling industry while safeguarding the interests of its member companies. With a strong focus on sustainability and a circular economy, the BMRA advocates for responsible practices in metal recycling, emphasising the importance of reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimising environmental impacts. The BMRA’s collaboration with Ruth Jones and other key stakeholders is crucial in steering UK and European legislation related to the metals recycling industry.

 

Ruth Jones MP’s visit to W. Harold John (Metal) signifies the commitment of key decision-makers to engage with local businesses and industry representatives to better understand their challenges and explore potential solutions. During her visit, Ruth Jones aimed to gain a better understanding of the circular economy and its relevance to the metals recycling industry. The circular economy seeks to transform the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model into a closed-loop system where materials are recycled, reused, or repurposed to reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency. By supporting businesses like W. Harold John, decision-makers like Ruth Jones can help shape policies that encourage sustainable practices and minimise the environmental footprint of various industries.

 

One of the key topics discussed during the visit was the new permit system designed to combat illegal scrap dealers. Illegal activities within the scrap metal industry not only harm legitimate businesses but also pose significant environmental and safety risks.

 

Will John, Managing Director of W. Harold John (Metals), said, “We’re delighted to have welcomed Ruth Jones MP and executives from BMRA to show them our site and discuss the new permit system, aimed at curbing illegal scrap dealers. Everything we do at W. Harold John is committed to recycling and contributing to a circular economy, and it’s great to have support from key decision-makers. Through ongoing dialogue and partnerships, the metals recycling industry can continue to thrive and play a vital role in building a more sustainable future.”

Legislation Update – Increasing Business Recycling Rates in Wales

In October 2023, the Welsh Government are due to pass legislation around waste storing and segregation for dry mixed recycling. They’re proposing for recyclable materials to be further segregated from the normal co-mingled materials. This is to support Wales achieving its target to recycle 70% percent of its waste produced by 2025.

Their are nine specified recyclable waste materials that need to be separated for collection, collected separately, and kept separate after collection, in six recyclable waste streams, as a minimum are as follows:

  • food waste
  • paper and card
  • glass
  • metal, plastic and cartons
  • unsold small electrical equipment (WEEE); and
  • unsold textiles

For more information please follow this link to the Welsh Government website.

See below for some of our explainer articles on waste and recycling:

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Notice

The new compliance requirements on items containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was introduced in December 2022 and takes effect between now and December 2024.

 

What are POPs
POPs are chemicals often used as flame retardants and were highly used in seating units that contain textiles, foams and other padding types prior to 2019. The compliance guidance issued relates to seating from domestic and business sources and includes upholstered items such as:

 

  • Desk chairs
  • Dining chairs
  • Kitchen chairs
  • Sofas, sofa beds and futons
  • Foot stools
  • Armchairs
  • Beanbags
  • Floor cushions

*The current compliance guidance does not apply to beds and mattresses, carpets and seating that is not upholstered.

 

 

How to ensure you are compliant
The guidance requires the waste producer and their waste management service provider to ensure the following:

 

  1. The waste producer identifies the wastes they produce that contain or are likely to contain POPs
  2. The waste producer should take all reasonable efforts to avoid co-mingling of POPs waste and other waste streams
  3. The waste carrier takes POPs identified wastes to incineration only. (Landfilling and recycling of these wastes is prohibited)
  4. The waste carrier is required to put in place separation and pre-treatment systems for POPs contaminated wastes by no later than December 2024
  5. In collecting and managing waste, the waste carrier should prevent the contamination of non-POPs containing waste and identified POPs containing waste
  6. Both waste producer and waste carrier are required to prevent damage to POPs contaminated items in presentation, collection and management

*If waste streams destined for regular collections are identified as containing POPs contaminated materials, they may not be collected at that time, and you may incur additional costs in arranging new collections and treatment.

 

How can GD help

  • Our teams of experts and local teams are here to help customers to understand the new obligations under the updated compliance guidance requirements
  • We are helping customers to ensure minimum disruption to scheduled waste collections
  • We are adapting our relevant facilities and procedures to ensure that we manage POPs waste with full compliance during the transitional period and to meet the transitional deadline of December 2024

 

These work streams are designed to ensure your:

  1. Peace of mind
  2. Avoid disruption to your current collection or disposal services
  3. Provide the new service required to keep you compliant in the future.

 

These new controls allow items that contain POPs to be re-used and not incinerated. Please think before you throw away!

 

Full guidance is available in the link below

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-and-classify-waste-containing-persistent-organic-pollutants-pops

 

As a business, you are responsible under section 34(7) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). You have a duty of care to know the nature of the waste you produce and to adequately describe it to your waste management service providers so they can manage it appropriately and responsibly.

 

For further information regarding collection and disposal of such items please contact us on 01633 277755 or email info@gd-environmental.co.uk

Enginoars are off!

And they’re off! Over 5 days at sea and counting! 65 to go!

We felt compelled to sponsor Team Enginoars for the 2022 trans-Atlantic row, as their mission statement of ‘Global Sustainability’ closely aligns with our aims as a sustainable waste management business. We are working towards becoming one of the first carbon-positive waste management companies in the UK. Aside from this, our management team have known Roo for some time and had to support him and the team in this epic challenge.

Head here for more information

 

GD sponsors Newport U11’s Schools Rugby

We’re delighted to announce that we’re sponsoring Newport U11’s Schools Rugby, providing funding for tracksuits, t-shirts and rain jackets for the players.

BIG Charity Golf Day 2022!

We’re happy to announce that over £22,000 was raised at this year’s BIG Charity Golf Day, held at The Rolls of Monmouth!

A ‘BIG’ thank you to every team who participated for their support and donations to this fantastic cause. Another thank you to the staff at GD, Acorn, MDW and The Rolls, without which the day would not be the success it is and has been.

Since 2013, GD and MDW have raised over £210,000 for Velindre, which is Wales’ premier cancer centre, providing care, support and treatment to cancer patients and their families. Long may this continue!

 

 

What happens to your commercial waste? 

Here at GD, we think it’s important to shed some light on what happens to your trade waste after you’ve disposed of it. We implement a mixture of manual and automated facilities to sort, process and recycle varieties of waste products into usable commodities. Generally speaking, there are 3 phases at play when it comes to waste management at GD.

  1. Delivery

Waste is brought to our transfer stations in Newport and Pontypool to be sorted and processed into separate waste streams ready to be recycled. 

  1. Sorting

Any waste that isn’t pre-sorted prior to being deposited at our transfer station will be sorted by one of our team on the automatic picking line. From here it is then placed into its relevant waste stream. Once the various waste products have been sorted, our specialist teams are able to start processing the waste 

  1. Processing

Below is an example of a handful of products that GD processes to be able to be recycled:

Aggregates 

We apply crushing, screening, and washing technology to process construction, demolition and road-sweeping waste into usable recyclable aggregates in line with WRAP protocols that meet EU and BS standards.

Metal

We have a specialist scrap metal processing plant and trading arm as part of the group

entity. This allows us to collect and process all scrap metal to sell on to metal recycling companies such as Sims Metal and Celsa.

Wood

Operating a multi-function wood processing plant we reprocess wood into wood chip, suitable for horticultural, agricultural and urban amenity markets. Any untreated grade A waste wood is suitable to be chipped an used in one of our 5 biomass boilers, which provides space heating for our warehouses across Newport. 

Cardboard & Paper

We deploy a shredding machine to cut all grades and sizes of cardboard into smaller grades which is then sent to various paper mills across Wales to be made into cardboard, newsprints, office paper and labels. 

Contaminated water

Our specialist liquid treatment plant offers a comprehensive process for a range of liquid wastes, including oily contaminated water and sludges. The plant employs a gravity separation process which recovers liquids suitable for recycling.

Other waste

Anything that we can’t process ourselves or transport to other recycling companies is sent for incineration in Bristol and Cardiff. This allows waste to power homes across the Southwest and the ash residue that is left behind is recycled for use in cement manufacture. 

For more information on our commercial waste services please contact 01633277755 or email info@gd-environmental.co.uk