Why recycling is important for the planet and your business
Every year millions of tonnes of waste enter landfill, with the disposal of solid waste the main contributor. Much of this waste is non-biodegradable meaning it sits in landfills for years. It is estimated that the ‘UK generated 43.9 million tonnes of commercial and industrial (C&I) waste in 2018’.¹ On 1st April 2022, the UK government introduced a plastic packaging tax which meant that manufacturers or importers of more than 10 tonnes of plastic (containing less than 30% recycled plastic) in a 12-month period will be charged. By limiting plastic usage, businesses can save £200 per tonne, not to mention landfill waste. For businesses looking to do their part for the environment, waste is a crucial issue that must be addressed. Practices such as purchasing recyclable and environmentally friendly materials and adopting recycling should be put into place if businesses are to reduce their planetary impact.
What are the benefits of recycling?
Recycling has long been a buzzword when discussing sustainability but how much does it really help? According to the Waste Resources Action Programme, ‘a quarter of England’s waste is produced by its businesses’.² If businesses can manage their waste and dispose of it sustainably, together they can make a huge difference.
Environmental
Recycling is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. It can help to protect our environment by reducing the amount of waste that end us in landfills and the harmful emissions they emit. Recycling waste also helps to conserve natural resources. Even a single sheet of A4 takes ’10 litres of water’ to be produced.³ ‘Each tonne of recycled paper saves 380 gallons of oil, 7000 gallons of water, and around 3 cubic metres of landfill space’.⁴
Social
Adopting recycling into your business shows your commitment to fighting climate change. Businesses who demonstrate strong values are more likely to attract and retain customers, employees and investors. One report shows that ‘4 out of 5 people describe themselves as likely to choose a brand with a positive approach to environmental sustainability’.⁵
Financial
Despite the myth that going green is going to cost you, recycling can actually save you money. When waste goes to landfills, businesses are required to pay landfill tax rates and waste disposal gate fees. By recycling you can minimise these fees.
How can my business recycle?
1. Conduct an audit: Understand what materials your business uses and what is recyclable. Clearly label what can go in each bin and make sure that they’re located at accessible points. If you’re unsure how to identify what is recyclable, you should book a waste audit. Biffa is the leading integrated sustainable waste management company in the UK and Zellar’s exclusive waste partner, it offers free onsite waste audits to help you understand how to manage your waste more sustainably. Your business can book a free waste audit and get insight from one of Biffa’s waste experts.
2. Educate your employees: Educate your employees on why recycling is so important, how to properly recycle and introduce reward schemes that recognise their participation.
3. Reduce the amount of waste created: Consider if you really need to print something or whether it could it be sent digitally? Discourage the use of single-use plastic and adopt better waste practices.
Implementing recycling practices into your business is just one of the many ways you can start to manage your business’ environmental impact and Zellar’s platform helps you to get started and track and share your progress. Find out more at zellar.com
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