As waste has become a growing problem and legislation increased, companies are now held directly responsible for the correct disposal of their waste.

Flooks Waste Management will provide and work with our customers to ensure they are compliant with the latest legislations and can offer you cost effective and efficient waste management options, enabling you to be environmentally compliant, whilst also increasing the bottom line, through effective waste management.

Financial Savings

1. Reduce waste disposal costs
2. Reduce handling and transport costs
3. Reduce on site waste treatment costs
4. Reduce raw materials costs
5. Reduce energy costs
6. Reduce labour costs
7. Reduce time costs
8. Improve operating and efficiency and hence production costs

Environmental Benefits

1. Efficient use of materials, energy so that your business can contribute to sustainable development
2. Reduction in pollution to land, air and water
3. Compliance with regulations

Other Benefits

4. Improve the market position of your company
5. Green supply chain benefits
6. Contributes to working towards an environmental management system
7. Helps maintain staff motivation
8. Contributes towards proactive image for your business

Duty of Care:

The Duty of Care applies to anyone who produces, imports, keeps, stores, transports, treats or disposes of waste.

Under the Duty of Care Regulations, all reasonable steps must be taken to keep waste safe. Any person who passes waste to another must ensure that the person is authorised to accept, transport, recycle or dispose of the waste safely. Failure to do so can result in an unlimited fine.

Parties transferring wastes are required to complete and retain a transfer note, containing a description of the waste. Defra have produced statutory guidance on the completion of the Duty of Care Notes and other environmental legislation: www.defra.gov.uk

Waste Minimisation

The Waste Hierarchy: The Government is committed to move towards Sustainable Development (meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs). When this is applied to the way we manage waste, it provides a priority list of waste management options. The obvious and best option is to avoid producing waste, the zero-waste option. The least favoured is disposed of straight to Landfill.
Between these two options lie the other preferred options, in order of preference. Re-use wherever possible, then recover its value by recycling into new products, compost to provide an agricultural benefit or use as fuel in energy generation. There is also a well considered need to move waste management practices further up the hierarchy, however this is a guide and may not always indicate the best option for a particular waste stream. The final choice for a particular waste stream will be guided by a consideration of the `Best Practicable Environmental Option` and include an assessment of economic costs and benefits.  

The National Waste Strategy

The government published Waste Strategy 2000, setting our vision of sustainable waste management in England and Wales, for the next 20 years and the strategy is part of their continued commitment to Europe.

The need to tackle the growth in waste and the appropriate balance between different waste management options, as defined by the waste Hierarchy. The following benefits will be delivered by the Strategy:

1. Increasing diversion of waste from Landfill
2. Engaging the public in re-use and recycling schemes
3. Curbing the rise in waste generation
4. BPEO becomes the basis for waste ty of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill. By 2005 reduce amount of Industry and commercial waste sent to Landfill to 85% of that land filled in 1998.
   

1. To recover 40% of municipal waste and recycle 25% of household waste by 2005
2. To recover value from 45% of municipal waste by 2010, including recycling or composting 30% of household waste
3. To recover 67% of municipal waste by 2015, 33% through recycling and composting
4. To develop new and stronger markets for recycled materials

The true cost of waste

Research has shown the real cost can be 5 - 20 times that of the disposal cost, 4% of turnover and as much as 10%. 

Reducing Costs How?

1. Put in only what is needed
2. Get the most out of what is put in
3. Make the most of what comes out

Waste Minimisation

Reduce waste at source:

1. Saves money – increase your operating efficiency
2. Reduce production costs and reduced disposal costs
3. Improves environmental performance and reduces risk
4. Improves the environment through reduced raw material consumption,
   reducing other environmental impacts

A great deal of waste is avoidable through improved management of materials and energy.  The true cost of waste includes the time, effort and materials to produce the waste and not simply the cost of disposal. 

Savings in these areas can contribute to increased profitability and competitiveness, whilst benefiting the environment.

Good Environmental Management

Every company is different, but can improve its overall performance by:

1. Avoiding leaks and spills
2. Better materials handling
3. Redesigning processes and products
4. Involving staff at all levels
5. Auditing of waste generation

For advice on Waste minimisation, waste audits and guidance on waste disposal options, please contact:

Angela Thomas – email: angie@flooks.com
Telephone:  07795 846246