Waste management and recycling services
Recycling commences at the waste disposal level with segregation and containment of individual waste streams. Segregation, containment, transportation and processing of waste streams are can be provided as waste management services. Each part of this waste management and recycling process requires adequate equipments to optimise the whole process.
Segregation should start at the source with the use of recycling containers such as recycling bins or segregated bins. Recycling containers range from the ordinary office recycling bins to rigid containers for warehouses or even specially-designed containers for the containment of hazardous or clinical waste streams. Such containers facilitate the movement of waste to external containers or waste handling equipment.
However, there are some processes that do not allow waste to be segregated on-site. It is then the job of the waste management company to provide containers for the containment of mixed recyclables and to arrange for the waste to be segregated off-site.
With commercial and industrial waste management and recycling services it is impossible to have a one-size-fits-all scheme. The ideal waste management provider should offer a tailor-made service that minimises cost, increases recycling, eliminates waste to landfill wherever possible and minimises costs.
Waste audits are an important part of the process as they examine the whole production process and identify areas where cost savings can be made by the implementation of initiatives that rationalise and increase recycling levels.
These audits are conducted to understand each business process, such as:
- Types of waste.
- Volume of waste.
- Procedures of waste segregation and handling (if any).
- Utilisation of recycling containers (if any).
- Utilisation of waste handling equipment (if any).
- Current service levels and service scheduling.
- Volume of recycling.
- Overall current waste management costs.
Based on these findings waste management companies can tailor their services to each organisation.
To make the whole process even more efficient, organisations can handle their own waste on-site by using adequate equipment such as balers, compactors, shredders, roll-packers, drum or can crushers, etc. This equipment can process recyclable waste materials in a resalable format turning a cost into revenue.
Balers are compactors that can produce bales of 25kg to 650kg in weight and are one of the most cost effective types of equipment as they can cater for a wide range of recyclable waste materials including cardboard and plastic.
Compactors are very similar to balers as they can compact waste streams from ratios of 4:1 to 10:1 dependent on the compaction force and type of waste being compacted.
Can crushers also know as drum crushers are designed to reduce metal waste to a fraction of their original size reducing costs with disposal.
--Bmbsteel
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bin blight.
- BREEAM Construction waste management.
- BREEAM Operational waste.
- BRE SMARTwaste.
- Circular economy.
- Construction skip.
- Construction waste.
- Definition of waste: Code of practice.
- Landfill tax.
- Recycling.
- Rubble chute.
- Site waste management plan.
- Site Waste Management Plans - A Necessary Burden.
- Waste management plan for England.
- Waste management treatment and disposal services
Featured articles and news
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.