Businesses across Omagh and the wider Fermanagh and Tyrone area can reduce costs, improve efficiency and lessen their environmental impact by taking a more organised approach to recycling.
Almost every business produces waste, whether it is an office disposing of paper and packaging, a retailer dealing with cardboard and plastics, or a hospitality or manufacturing business producing larger quantities of specialist waste.
Recycling can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, conserve raw materials and reduce the energy needed to produce new products. It can also help businesses cut the costs associated with collecting, transporting and disposing of waste.
Reduce and reuse before recycling
While recycling is important, businesses should first look at whether they can prevent waste from being produced.
Under the waste management hierarchy, reducing waste is preferable to reusing it, while reuse is preferable to recycling. Businesses should therefore review how materials are purchased, used and disposed of and look for opportunities to eliminate unnecessary waste.
This could include reducing packaging, avoiding unnecessary printing, using refillable products or finding ways to reuse materials within the business. Some unwanted materials may even be useful to another organisation.
What business waste can be recycled?
A wide range of materials generated by businesses can potentially be recycled.
Common examples include:
- paper and cardboard
- plastics
- metals
- glass
- electrical and electronic equipment
- organic and food waste
- textiles
- wood
- tyres
- construction and demolition materials.
Electrical equipment such as computers, mobile phones and refrigerators can also contain components and materials that can be recovered and reused.
Businesses should be aware that particular rules apply to certain types of waste, including batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, packaging and hazardous waste.
Organising recycling in your Omagh workplace
A successful recycling system does not need to be complicated.
Businesses can begin by identifying the main waste streams they produce and providing clearly labelled containers so materials can be separated.
Waste should be stored securely in suitable sealed and labelled containers. Businesses must also take appropriate steps to prevent waste escaping, leaking or creating pollution while being stored or transported.
Employees should understand what can and cannot be placed in each recycling container. Reducing contamination is important because incorrectly mixed materials can make recycling more difficult and potentially increase treatment costs.
Choosing how your recycling is handled
Businesses generally have several options for dealing with recyclable materials. They may be able to reuse or trade materials, take suitable waste to an appropriate recycling facility, or arrange for a licensed waste contractor to collect it.
For businesses producing significant quantities of recyclable material, regular collections may be the most convenient option.
When using a waste contractor, businesses should ensure that the organisation is authorised to handle the type of waste being collected and that the appropriate documentation is completed. Businesses have a continuing duty of care for their waste, even after it leaves their premises.
Recycling can benefit your bottom line
Effective recycling is not simply an environmental exercise.
It can reduce waste disposal costs, improve resource efficiency and demonstrate environmental responsibility to customers and potential clients. Environmental performance may also increasingly influence purchasing decisions and business contracts.
Northern Ireland businesses may also be able to access support from Invest Northern Ireland to improve resource efficiency. This includes consultancy support aimed at reducing costs associated with energy, water, waste and raw materials.
For businesses in Omagh and the surrounding area, reviewing what goes into the bin is a relatively simple place to start. Reducing, reusing and recycling materials can help create a more efficient business while contributing to a more sustainable local economy.
Find out more: How to recycle your business waste – nibusinessinfo.co.uk
