As a business, it can be difficult managing multiple waste streams sustainably. Ensuring you adhere to guidelines and miss these common mistakes will create a streamlined approach. Not only helping you manage waste efficiently, but also confirming materials are recycled effectively.
In this article, we have explored 5 common recycling mistakes we see businesses make that can be avoided.
Common Recycling Mistakes Made By Businesses
Contaminating Recycling Bins with Non-Recyclable Materials
By segregating your waste, businesses can avoid contamination. Having designated bins and bales of specific waste types ensures waste collectors can transport waste to the correct recycling facilities, and avoid issues during the recycling process.
Failing To Educate Employees
As a business, it’s important that your team understand the importance of proper waste disposal. By teaching your employees both the benefits and how to recycle waste effectively, you can ensure recycling rates are met and mistakes are avoided.
Using Single-Use Products and Packaging
We are producing over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. Relying heavily on single-use packaging contributes to excessive waste.
By switching to more sustainable plastic products, businesses can reduce their waste load. This can ensure more careful handling of recyclables and eliminate the large demand for raw resources used for single-use products.
Overlooking Recycling Soft Plastics
Soft plastics, such as plastic wraps and packaging are often not accepted in your local recycling bins. This can often cause businesses to overlook these materials and dispose of them wrongly. These waste types, can however, be collected by specialist plastic recycling businesses.
Not Investing In A Waste Baler
Waste balers are key for businesses producing multiple waste streams at large volumes. This equipment will compact your waste into secure bales, enabling you to store waste safely and be collected efficiently by professionals. Baling waste can also increase the profitability of high-quality recyclables.
The Importance Of Avoiding These Common Mistakes
By recognising and addressing these recycling mistakes, businesses can boost recycling rates and save costs in the long run. This is through reducing manual labour time, creating revenue through waste bales, and reducing waste collections. Reducing your carbon footprint is also vital for building a sustainable business model, and can help attract new clients.
Get in touch today if you would like to book a collection for bulk volumes of plastic, cardboard or hazardous materials. Our team will arrange a quick collection to remove the waste and recycle materials into new products.
