The onset of a new year provides an ideal opportunity for companies to adopt new objectives, particularly in enhancing recycling and waste handling. This is especially pertinent as the UK approaches Defra’s 2025 recycling simplification and the 2030 goal of a 65% recycling rate.
Divert offers guidance on enhancing your business’s waste management for the new year with these eight eco-resolutions:
1. Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
Non-recyclable single-use plastics often end up in landfills. The UK banned certain single-use plastics from October 2023, including items like cutlery and balloon sticks. Yet, many businesses continue using plastic bags and disposable containers. Resolve to eradicate single-use plastics from your operations, substituting them with recyclable materials.
2. Plan for Biannual Recycling Audits
Every beginning of the year, make a point of evaluating your company’s recycling processes. This will reveal the types of recyclable waste you generate and current recycling practices, pinpointing improvement areas. Implement new bins as needed based on these findings. Conduct these audits semi-annually to monitor progress and discover new opportunities.
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3. Establish Specific Recycling Targets
Setting clear recycling objectives helps your business focus on enhancing recycling, monitor progress, and uncover new opportunities. Goals could include boosting overall recycling efforts by 50%, recycling all paper waste, or ensuring recyclables don’t end up in general waste. Set these objectives early in the year and review them periodically.
4. Select Optimal Bins for Your Company
By March 2025, UK businesses must segregate glass, metal, plastic, paper/card, and food waste. Prepare by introducing separate bins for each type of waste. Determine the right bin sizes and collection frequency based on your waste production.
5. Transition to a Paperless Office
Aim to completely eliminate paper usage this year. Many companies have already transitioned to digital, reducing paper waste. Strategies for going paperless include offering email receipts, online catalogues and newsletters, QR codes for menus, social media advertising, and digital paychecks.
