Reducing waste in your business

As awareness of climate change continues to grow, more people, and especially businesses are recognizing the critical importance of reducing waste wherever possible. Today we will talk about the best practices that your business can follow to achieve a more sustainable business.

You might be wondering, what types of waste are we actually producing? The answer can vary across sectors, but some of the most common contributors include food waste, packaging waste, and plastic waste. Unfortunately, much of this waste ends up in landfills, where it begins to emit harmful greenhouse gases. In the UK, landfills are the largest source of methane emissions from waste accounting for around 81%. Methane is an especially potent greenhouse gas, with a heat-trapping potential roughly 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide, making it a significant driver of global warming.

The UK construction industry produces around 100 million tonnes of waste every year.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has pointed that 68 million tonnes of this waste are non hazardous construction waste. 62% of all UK waste comes from construction, excavation, and demolition businesses. 62.6 millions tonnes of waste was able to be recovered from the 68 million tonnes of waste generated however, five million tonnes of construction waste still ends up in landfill every year.

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Why does the construction industry generate such a significant amount of waste?

A third of the worlds waste is generated by the industry, contributing to 40% of the carbon dioxide emission's of our planet, causing the most waste compared to other industry sectors. Some key factors as why the construction industry produces this amount of waste can be last minute changes to building designs causing materials that have already been ordered not being used, excessively ordering too many materials resulting in waste, leaving discarded materials on site like scarp metal and concrete instead of being disposed properly and of course damages to materials caused by weather.

So, what can we actually do to reduce waste?

Taking the right course of action can feel overwhelming especially for businesses that depend on materials like paper and plastic. But sustainability isn’t about eliminating essential resources, it’s about using them more responsibly. For example, if your business relies heavily on plastic, consider exploring recycled plastics or researching alternative materials. Many companies have already taken steps in this direction, such as replacing plastic cups with paper ones, and switching to more sustainable options for straws, food packaging, and other items.

If you're unsure where to begin when it comes to reducing your business's waste, conducting a waste audit is an excellent starting point. This will help you identify the types and sources of waste your business generates and guide you in developing an effective reduction strategy. Alternatively, implementing a structured waste management plan with clear, actionable steps can provide a practical roadmap for minimising waste. Including a budget within your audit or plan is also key as it allows you to determine where resources can be allocated most effectively. This might include investing in a recycling collection service to ensure waste is disposed of responsibly and in line with environmental regulations, or switching to eco-friendly products and suppliers for items like cleaning materials and office stationery.

Setting realistic, measurable goals is essential for maintaining a consistent and sustainable approach to waste reduction over time.

Get your Employees Involved

It's important to emphasise that involving your employees is essential to driving meaningful change. Since they contribute to a significant portion of your business's waste, such as printing documents only to discard them shortly after. Their habits play a key role in the overall impact. Encouraging sustainable behaviour in the workplace can start with simple initiatives, such as introducing a recycling programme, promoting the use of reusable food containers, or offering training workshops on waste reduction and recycling best practices.

One of the most common challenges in office environments is excessive paper waste. To address this, consider adopting digital filing systems that allow important documents to be stored securely online. This not only eliminates the need to sift through physical filing cabinets but also significantly reduces the amount of paperwork that would otherwise need to be printed and stored. Embracing digital tools can lead to more efficient workflows and a more sustainable office culture.

Do you about the new recycling law?

From the 31st of March 2025 (or 31st of March 2027 for micro-firms), all workplaces (businesses and non-domestic premises) in England will have a legal duty to follow the new recycling regulations. To find out more, we have covered this topic in one of our previous blogs so you can be informed on how the new regulation will impact your business click here

Visit GOV.UK : Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England - GOV.UK

Addressing waste management in business is not just a matter of being compliant or a environmental responsibility, it's also a way to contribute to a sustainable future. As we’ve seen the significant waste produced by various industries, particularly in construction. By implementing effective waste management strategies, utilizing recycled materials, and involving employees in the process, your business can significantly reduce your environmental footprint making for a more eco friendly business & environment. 🌎