A recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that over half of the packaging reported as heading for recycling is actually being sent abroad to be processed, potentially creating an ‘illusion’ that the waste is recycled.
This begs the question – do you know where your waste is going? Do you know the actual physical place where your waste finally ends up? Or do you trust your waste contractor to tell you?
The reality is that waste is in many ways a commodity. It is often transferred multiple times before it reaches its end-destination and so without undertaking a comprehensive audit of the journey of your waste, your organisation could be making environmental claims about business recycling that don’t stack up.
This news also raises a concern about legal responsibilities. The ‘duty of care’ or legal responsibility for ensuring that waste is disposed of legally, is in some respects shared by those along the chain, but the buck stops with the waste producer – i.e. the organisation that puts the waste in the bin and arranges for it to be collected.
Waste crime – the associated illegal acts of evading landfill tax, operating illegal waste sites, exporting waste illegally and fly-tipping – represents a significant cost to the UK economy. With waste changing so many hands once it has left your premises, it is important that you know not only who is carrying it but also where it ends up.
The news is littered with stories about environmental protection recently and the public is becoming increasingly aware of these environmental issues.
Expense Reduction Analysts are supporting our clients with Waste Management compliance reviews. If you are unsure whether you are negating the risks of non-compliance, we may be able to help you, so get in touch with our Waste and Recycling team today. Can your organisation afford the associated bad press of a significant fine, or worse?
Article by: Daniel Howells