Closed loop recycling

Glass is one of the most commonly recycled products, and glass jars and bottles can be reused an infinite number of times. Since glass is non-porous, it is not considered to be a health or hygiene risk if it is properly cleaned and disinfected before reuse.

Broken glass can also be reused. When glass is crushed down, it is called cullet and can be used in a variety of ways, including concrete production, Astroturf, decorative sand, and fibreglass insulation.

Plastic is one of the worst offenders when it comes to waste build-up. Most polymer plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, so their long-term impact at landfill sites can be significant.

However, plastic recycling has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and now most plastic waste can be fully recycled.

Plastic bottles, packaging, containers and boxes can be broken down and used to produce new plastic items, including plastic carrier bags. These, in turn, can be recycled again and again.

Once the domain of scrap yards, metal recycling is becoming more and more popular with UK households and businesses. All metals can be used in closed loop recycling, even if they need to be shorn down to size, or melted for reuse.
Recycled metal can be used in industrial production, in the manufacture of cars, boats and aircraft, and even in household items such as cutlery.

Closed loop recycling is the best way to minimise your business’ environmental footprint. According to Defra statistics, UK businesses produced 41.1m tonnes of waste in 2016, up from 40m in 2014. And while recycling is becoming more common, Defra has estimated that up to 60% of the waste held in dustbins could have been recycled.

Unrecycled waste will either end up in a landfill site or at an incinerator. Both of these options carry environmental hazards. The compacted waste found at landfills releases methane and other greenhouse gases, which are a known cause of global warming. Furthermore, there have been a number of reports of chemical leeching from landfill sites across the UK. Chemical leaks can pollute rivers, lakes and other water sources, harming marine life and affecting farmland.

Emissions from industrial incinerators can also cause significant damage to the local area and to the environment at large. Many plastics release toxins once they are burned, and the smoke from these fumes can be carried across many miles, depending on the weather conditions.

By recycling and reusing glass, metal, plastic and organic waste, we can help reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill and incineration sites, thereby avoiding these significant long-term environmental dangers.

It is easy to ensure that your business waste is used in closed loop recycling – just speak to Business Waste Management and we will do everything we can to help your business minimise its environmental waste impact. We are based all over the UK, and we are available to our clients 24/7. What’s more, we offer the lowest business waste disposal costs in the UK without compromising on our promise to minimise landfill waste.

Call us today 0800 211 83 90 for a free quote for closed loop business waste recycling and other low-impact waste collection services.