How is Waste Managed?
Waste is managed in many ways depending on the type of material, how it’s stored, and where it ends up at the end of its life. Businesses should have waste management systems in place that ensure a safe and responsible process from the point of production to the minute it’s removed from the premises for disposal.
Sorting and storing waste separately based on its type is a vital part of the waste management process. This should be done at the source to reduce the risk of contamination and improve the chances of as much waste as possible being recovered and recycled (rather than going to landfill).
Those who produce, transport, and dispose of rubbish all play a part in ensuring waste is managed safely and responsibly – whether from a home, business, or any other organisation. Discover how waste is managed with this guide.
How is waste managed
in the UK?
Waste is managed in the UK in various ways. Local councils and authorities are responsible for managing household waste across most areas of the country. This includes providing bins, bags, or boxes for homes to separate and store general waste and some dry mixed recycling. Certain councils also provide domestic garden waste bins.
The local authority also manages the collection of household waste in their areas. This includes running a regular bin emptying service. They can also provide recycling banks in car parks for items not covered by household waste collections, such as glass, small electricals, and textiles. Council tax covers the cost of these services.
For businesses and organisations waste is managed in the UK through private third-party companies in most cases. They should provide bins, bags, and containers of an appropriate size, number, and type for the business to store and manage waste on-site. Councils and local authorities do not collect and manage commercial waste.
The company has a duty of care to ensure waste is separated and managed safely, reducing the risk of harm to the environment and human health. Businesses must arrange the removal of all rubbish they produce by licensed waste carriers to ensure it’s transported and disposed of legally and safely.
The main ways waste is managed in the UK when it comes to disposal include:
- Recycling
- Composting
- Incineration
- Energy from waste
- Anaerobic digestion
- Landfill
How can waste be managed safely?
It’s important to manage waste safely from the second it’s produced to its final disposal. This includes managing waste at home and within a business. Effective storage, a clear waste management plan, and adherence to all relevant guidelines and regulations are vital. Safe waste management helps protect the environment and human health.
Follow these steps to manage waste safely in your household or business:
- Store waste in appropriate bins, bags, or containers and separate waste types to prevent contamination
- Avoid overflowing bins by following any max fill lines or weight limits
- Ensure any hazardous materials are handled carefully and stored in appropriate bins or containers away from other waste
- Keep your bins in a safe area ideally under cover and secured to avoid them blowing over or away and waste escaping
- Create a clear waste management plan that outlines where waste is stored, who is responsible for its removal, and how it’s disposed of
- Only use licensed waste carriers to remove and transport waste from your business
Managed waste services and solutions
Find an efficient and cost-effective managed waste solution for your company with Business Waste. We provide a wide range of managed waste services that include everything from commercial waste collections to conducting a waste audit at your site and even helping with recycling rebates where relevant.
To help you save money when you manage waste we provide free bins of many types and sizes. There are no rental costs or delivery charges – you only pay for collection. This includes wheelie bins, sharps bins, IBC containers, front end loaders, balers, and more. Combine the kinds, sizes, and number of bins to suit your needs.
You receive a free duty of care certificate that confirms your commercial waste is managed safely, legally, and responsibly. Our licensed waste carriers can collect your rubbish at a convenient time and dispose of it away from landfill where possible. Get a free quote for our managed waste services today – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online.
Waste managed FAQs
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How can e-waste be managed to limit any impact on the environment?
Electronic waste (e-waste) should be reused and repaired where possible to prolong its life and avoid it going to landfill. If an electrical item is damaged or broken beyond repair then it must be recycled. Electricals contain many valuable elements and hazardous materials so should never go to landfill.
Store e-waste separately and arrange collection by licensed waste carriers who will recycle the items. For domestic e-waste, you can take it to most household waste recycling centres (HWRC) or to any retailer that offers a takeback scheme. There are also recycling banks that accept small electrical items like toasters, kettles, and old mobile phones.
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How is plastic waste managed?
Plastic waste is managed in various ways depending on the type of plastic. Common plastic items such as drink bottles and food packaging like yoghurt pots can be cleaned and put in most household and dry mixed recycling bins. Other plastic types may need to be kept separate and recycled elsewhere, such as think plastic bags.
Lots of plastic is recyclable. It should end up at a waste management facility where the plastics are separated by grade and then recycled by being melted down into pellets that are used to create new recycled plastic products.
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How is hospital waste managed?
Hospitals produce a wide range of waste. Most of this includes clinical waste that must be stored safely in various bins, bags, and containers. Every hospital should have a clear waste management plan in place and secure areas to store medical waste before it’s removed and disposed of.
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How is nuclear waste managed?
Nuclear waste is managed very carefully due to the hazardous nature of the waste. It’s often buried underground securely to prevent the release of radioactive materials. Strict rules and laws are followed to ensure nuclear and radioactive waste is managed safely in the UK.
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How can industrial waste be managed?
Industrial waste covers a variety of materials that are managed in different ways. Many materials are recyclable, so they’re separated and stored like in other businesses (for plastic, glass, and metal industrial waste). Organic waste often is composted while fuel and oil waste must be stored in barrels and may then be recovered.
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