Recycling Mistakes Businesses Make

Making mistakes with your workplace recycling can be costly for both the environment and your business. From not labelling bins properly to having the wrong equipment installed, it’s easy to get it wrong without the right procedures in place. 

Why is Business Recycling Important? 

According to statistics from the UK Government, it’s estimated that businesses in England generated around 33.6 million tonnes of industrial and commercial waste in 2022. That’s a lot of waste! With so much being produced, it’s essential that all businesses recycle as much waste as possible. This is because recycling helps to reduce the amount a business pays in landfill tax and if you produce lots of recyclable waste, it could also create a new source of income.

Common Recycling Mistakes 

Without suitable plans and policies in place, businesses can find themselves paying higher charges than necessary.

Contaminated Recycling

Non-recyclable materials are more expensive to dispose of than recyclable materials therefore it’s important that waste segregation training is included and highlighted in workplace procedures. 

Inadequate Bins or Storage 

If businesses don’t have enough bin capacity at their premises, problems can arise. When bins overflow, it’s challenging to keep recyclable waste separated, leading to contamination and inevitably higher charges from your waste collection company. Overflowing bins with lids that cannot be shut increases the likelihood of pest activity and bad smells.

Inadequate Training 

Waste Balers and Waste Compactors can help to reduce the cost of waste disposal. But, unless your team are trained how to properly use the machinery, you’re unlikely to get the full benefit of having them installed. Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Method Statements are also important for health and safety of everyone.

Lack of Signage or Instructions 

Installing permanent signage around the workplace can help to boost understanding and compliance. This can include labels on your bins, posters in staff areas and incorporating recycling training into your induction procedures.

Increased Waste Management Costs 

The emptying of general waste bins is costly for businesses. However, using recycling machinery such as a waste baler or compactor at your workplace can help lower costs and save time. For example, aluminium cans can be compacted into bales, and if produced in sufficient quantity, these can bales can be sold as a commodity directly to recyclers.

Insufficient Waste Audits 

Carrying out waste audits helps organisations discover new ways to reduce the cost of recycling. Waste collection companies make money from emptying your recycling bins therefore enlisting the help of an independent supplier of recycling equipment is essential to get a balanced perspective.

How to Prevent Common Recycling Mistakes at Work

Here are some tips: 

• Carry out a waste audit independent of your waste contractor: Seeking fresh perspectives from alternative suppliers can help you identify new ways to reduce the overall cost of your waste collection.
• Look beyond bins: There are many alternative solutions for segregating waste that don’t involve bins. Balers, crushers and compactors reduce the volume of waste, which saves space, reduces the frequency of collections needed, and minimises overheads. Contact recycling equipment suppliers that offer free trials to test out the alternatives. 
• Learn from others: Corporate sustainability is growing in importance and as a result many companies are keen to share their own recycling initiatives on websites, at trade shows and on social media.

Waste Management Solutions from QCR 

At QCR, we supply thousands of businesses across the UK with high-quality cardboard balers, compactors, and bin crushers. Our equipment offers solutions for different types of commercial waste, such as plastic, cardboard, polystyrene, cans, and drums. Our compactors and balers are available for rent or purchase, and we have a range of options for different sized organisations. 

We can arrange for a member of our team to conduct a free, no-obligation waste survey at your premises. In most cases, we’ll let you trial the equipment we recommend so you can test it out before deciding if you’d like to go ahead. Our team are also SafeContractor™ accredited, showing our commitment to excellence in health and safety standards. Contact our team today; we’re happy to help and provide guidance.