As a business owner, it is important to note how to handle the waste your company is producing. Waste may comprise random materials, which also means that there are different ways to dispose of them. Ultimately, this can be a minefield because you have to know the exact way to do it right.
Find out more about waste and waste management by continuing reading this article.
Types of Waste
The first step to handling waste is to know its nature and types. There are five main categories of waste:
1. Solid Waste
Solid waste is all the waste that you are producing in your business. That includes different types of packaging, plastics and paper, among others. For businesses, the most common solid waste includes mail, newspapers, inkjet cartridges, batteries, glass, ceramics, bulbs and aluminium cans.
Usually, solid waste materials are recycled through physical reprocessing, which means they are used to create new materials.
2. Organic Waste
Organic waste, otherwise known as food waste, can also be considered trash, and it is mainly produced by food, paper, and packaging. It is biodegradable and doesn’t include any hazardous waste.
Because organic waste usually involves plants and food scraps, they can generally be decomposed into organic matter. This organic matter is then used for agricultural uses.
3. Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is the type of waste that can harm the environment and people around it. It includes toxic substances and even radioactive materials. Hazardous waste requires a more crucial approach because these items are usually harmful, flammable, reactive and corrosive.
If you fail to dispose of them correctly, hazardous waste can cause harm to people and the environment. Because of this, it’s recommended to work with a reputable waste management company that can dispose of it properly.
4. Liquid Waste
Gasses and liquids produce liquid waste. It includes industrial waste, dirty water, wash water, rainwater, waste detergents and organic liquids. Like other types, liquid waste must be segregated for proper disposal.
5. Medical Waste
Medical waste includes rubbish generated in hospitals and other medical places. It has different materials, such as packaging and needles, among others. Because of the sensitive nature of the waste, hospitals are required to eliminate the infectious potential of waste before bringing it to its final disposal location.
6. General Waste
Finally, general waste is the classification for non-hazardous, clinical and non-recyclable waste. Most of the time, this type of waste is disposed of in landfills through local government or private business collection.
Ways to Dispose of Waste
You can dispose of waste in several ways. Some of them are outlined below.
1. Landfill Disposal
Landfill disposal is the one that is considered the easiest and cheapest way of waste management. Basically, it is the one in which trash is buried in the land to decompose. It is done by compacting the waste to allow it to deteriorate with time.
In this process, waste is separated in low-lying areas of a city. After every layer of garbage, a layer of soil is added. Eventually, this area will be unsuitable for any other purpose for the next 20 years.
2. Recycling
Another way to deal with waste is through recycling. This type of waste disposal is considered the most environmentally friendly. It involves converting trash into new materials to be used again.
3. Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is the type of waste disposal considered the highest level of recycling. Basically, it is converting waste materials into combustible liquids, which are then used for heating.
4. Incineration
Incineration is another way to dispose of trash. It is the process of combusting waste materials until they are reduced to incombustible matter. The gasses produced in this process are usually toxic, so undergo some treatments before they are released to the environment.
Simply put, the trash is burned to produce energy. Then, the rubbish is placed in a pit and then is covered with soil. This way, the trash is likely to be reduced by 80%, and it produces energy in the form of electricity.
5. Composting
For organic materials, composting is the ideal way to dispose of waste. In composting, you bury organic waste under layers of soil and wait for it to decompose. Ultimately, it results in the formation of nutrient-filled manure. As the soil becomes more filled with nourishment, the soil becomes healthier with improved water retention.
Why Is Waste Management Important to Businesses in the UK
It is essential to handle your business waste right to ensure that your company operates primarily and efficiently. Here are the main reasons why:
1. Add Value to Waste
The first reason to handle waste properly is to ensure that you get something out of it. Waste is most likely seen as a negative point in the business, especially when you have to handle it. However, there are several ways to get something out of it, such as recycling, energy recovery or reusing.
2. Save Money
Most businesses waste a huge amount of money on products, materials and supplies that they don’t end up using. With a waste audit and waste management, businesses will be able to be more aware and conscious of how much they are wasting and why. Eventually, there will be a chance to improve supply chain management, reduce wasting resources and save money.
3. Preserve Natural Resources
Through proper waste management, you can help protect natural resources. Natural resources are commonly utilized for material production. When recycling and other waste management approaches are done, businesses can help in preserving the limited natural resources we have.
4. Reduce the Amount of Waste Directed to Landfills
Despite being the go-to space for disposal, landfill sites are bad for health and the environment. It can destroy local biodiversity and bring in harmful effects on humans because it pollutes air, land, and water. If your company manages waste properly, you can lessen the amount of waste directed to the landfills and help the environment in your own way.
Final Thoughts
As a business owner, make sure that you handle waste the right way. There are several ways to manage it, and ultimately, you will be able to make the proper decision after doing the right research.
For business waste management, contact Enviro Skip Hire today. We offer affordable recycling and commercial skip hire services in Cheshire to help you dispose of waste properly. Call us on 01270 820 426 to learn more.
