During recent audits of waste from the social club sector, Managed Waste Solutions has identified that 75% of waste disposed of is packaging which can be recycled, yet with the exception of glass nearly all sites still continue to send all of this recyclable material to landfill. Of more concern however are the number of sites which are still unaware of the legislation controlling the disposal of waste and – through a lack of awareness – are breaking the law by disposing of low energy light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and other hazardous or electrical wastes into their general waste containers. Under current legislation businesses can be fined £300 per item of waste incorrectly disposed of, whilst the Environment Agency reserves the right to prosecute further should the individual case warrant it. We have detailed below some general information on current legislation for the types of wastes that this sector may generate.
General waste and mixed recycling
It now makes both economic and environmental sense to divert waste from landfill and ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Act. The UK Government has increased taxation on waste from £24 to £40 per tonne in the past 18 months, this will increase again to £48 per tonne from 1st April 2010. In many areas of the UK we are now able to offer mixed recycling services for paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and cans, in some areas glass can also be placed in the mixed recycling containers. Mixed recycling containers typically cost 20-30% less to empty than general waste containers, therefore where sites are able to carry out basic segregation it will be possible for sites to become greener whilst saving money.
WEEE Waste (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment)
The WEEE Directive banned the disposal of any electronic or electrical wastes into general landfill. We would recommend that buyers consider the disposal routes for redundant equipment when making a purchase as many retailers and wholesalers have takeback schemes. This should also apply to the purchase of fridges, freezers and televisions, with the change - over to digital starting in many areas shortly the disposal of television sets could prove to be an unwelcome hidden cost.General paperwork
The Environmental Protection Act states that businesses must have a ‘cradle to grave’ paperwork trail for all waste produced. If you do not have this then you could be liable to prosecution. Many small businesses still take waste home for disposal or direct to a local Council facility. Whilst this may be a cost effective way of disposing of your waste the fundamental requirements of the Act are being breached. With no paperwork trail how can you prove that the waste has not been fly tipped?Low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes Most clubs dispose of a very low number of low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes each year, but these must not be disposed of in general waste containers. Where lighting is purchased from national retailers – City Electrical Factors, Edmundson Electrical etc. – they operate a takeback scheme where used bulbs and tubes can be recycled: there is normally a nominal charge for this but this is by far the cheapest way to dispose of these items. Where sites only produce a few items we recommend that bulbs are stored in plastic storage containers and tubes in their original sleeves. Once a reasonable amount of these have been accumulated it is cost effective to arrange a one-off collection
Waste Management
have
you seen the light?Clubs, it seems, are in danger of breaking the law when it comes towaste disposal
warns Mark Nessling of Managed Waste Solutions
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