The recycling rate in the U.K. is, all being well, due to hit 50% during the years 2022/23. And while there’s still a long way to go to get to a figure closer to 100%, this improvement is well timed. With more emphasis on doing their bit, domestic and commercial properties will need to continue what they’re doing now. And as the expert recycling choice for small businesses, Direct365 knows a thing or two when it comes to becoming greener. So what is the story about recycling in the U.K and why is global recycling day so important?
What are the Recycling Stats?
- In 2021, 88% of individuals considered recycling a normal part of life.
- UK biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) sent to landfill has reduced, from 6.6 million tonnes in 2019, to 6.1 million in 2020. This may have been impacted by COVID, and increased waste focusing minds on recycling properly.
- The U.K’s commercial and industry waste was 43.9 million tonnes in 2018. While 2020’s figures are unavailable, what we do know is that England’s figures from 2020 reduced, from 37.2 million tonnes in 2018, to 33.8 million tonnes in 2020.
- Commercial and industry waste accounted for around 19% of the U.K’s waste. But if you include construction, demolition and excavation, almost always conducted by commercial enterprises, this figure jumps to a massive 81%. That means the vast majority of waste in the U.K. comes from businesses and organisations.
4 Ideas for Starting a Recycling Scheme on Global Recycling Day
Wondering what you can do this global recycling day? Businesses will be the ones to ensure meaningful change to the planet, so starting your recycling scheme is one step to a more sustainable Britain. Here are a few things you can do:
Awareness
Many people don’t know that businesses are the leading driver of waste in the U.K. So, if the same people who work within these organisations don’t know of their responsibility, then how are they supposed to change their habits, no matter where they are in the supply chain. Keeping your teams aware of their duties is the best way you can get continued buy in.
Presentations
The impact that real experts and real-life stories can have on people’s actions shouldn’t be underestimated. If you can provide unique insight and information that employees wouldn’t usually hear, you can change hearts and minds. The business is only as effective as its employees. So, it’s up to you to lead.
Provide the Right Equipment
If you want to encourage people to recycle more and become more sustainable, then you need to provide them with the right way to do this. Provide more bins, allow them to recycle. And that isn’t just paper and plastic, give people the option to recycle printer toners, batteries, pencils and other general office items. These are just a few small ideas, but to change habits and minds, you need to give people an easy way to change their habits and minds.
State the Facts
There’s no better and more direct way to inform people of the importance of recycling than telling them the facts. Educating people is a great way of creating a culture within your business. And, in a nice way, there’s also a chance to change minds on a wider scale. But educating people on the benefits of recycling is a helpful thing to your business. Especially if these people then go out and take these attitudes into their job role, whether that be sales, supply chain or more.
How Can Direct365 Help?
Direct365 are the small business experts. Our role is to give you the help that you can’t find anywhere else. We work to find the best recycling service for your business and can often reduce your business waste costs by 30%. Looking to find out more? Fill in the form below.