Whether you know it or not, waste management is a huge part of your business and isn’t something to be brushed over. It’s interlinked into many parts of your business, all the way from the balance sheets, legal compliance, employee health, reputation and economic impact. It shouldn’t be overlooked as one of your rubbish tasks. (Excuse the pun)

The burning question…

Just why is waste management so important? Poor waste management has many different effects – all of which are bad for your business. Brace yourself – here are the scare tactics:

  • Pest and disease problems

  • Pollution and Litter

  • Social and economic problems

  • Health and safety slip-ups

  • Reputation damage

Pest and disease problems

Incorrect disposal of rubbish, or overloading your bins, can lead to pest problems and disease. Nobody wants that. When pests get wind of your stray waste, they’ll bring their friends along to raid your rubbish, invade your premises and spread a wealth of unwanted diseases.

According to BBC, rats are a growing problem in the UK, with estimates of over 60 million of the furry pests scurrying around – largely due to mild winters and excessive, uncontrolled, food waste. Don’t worry – there isn’t another black death coming any time soon, but rats do carry other unpleasant diseases:

  • Weil’s disease

  • Salmonella

  • Tuberculosis

  • Cryptosporidiosis

  • E.Coli

  • Foot and mouth disease

Pollution & Litter

Having the correct sized bins for your business waste can cut down on pollution and litter almost immediately. Overflowing bins looks messy and can be very unhealthy. Alternatively, recklessly dumping your waste elsewhere can contaminate the land and water supply. Litter looks messy, and pollution can be damaging.

Social and economic

From a social point of view, be it online or locally, poor waste management will prove to be the bane of your business. As people grow more and more environmentally friendly, so should you. A company seen to be making an effort to tidy up their waste, recycle and keep their premises looking tip-top will be in the public good books. Quite the opposite for a company seen to be negligent towards their waste, and ignorant towards the possibilities of recycling.

If waste management is up to standard, the burden of fixing a companies mistakes does not become a cost that is funnelled down to the local council.

Health and Safety

You guessed it – health and safety has an input! You can’t get away from it, but that’s for a reason. Poorly disposed medical or sanitary waste can put your staff, customers or passing public at serious risk as well as inflicting fines and prosecutions on your business. Stray bits of glass or metal piping can also put people in danger of injury or infection.

Disposing of your waste cleanly and appropriately should avoid any trouble from the health and safety police.

Reputation

Reputation can play a huge role in business deals you conduct. It can help you win sales, attract customers and promote a positive image around your company.  A disregard for proper waste disposal, and a showing no signs of trying to promote recycling, can have worrying effects on your businesses reputation. A lot of companies actively show off their green status and so should you!

What can you do?

Don’t be put off – It’s not all doom and gloom. The impact of a well implemented waste management regime can be very beneficial. What can you do?

  • Place recycling bins around your premises

  • Appoint a waste removal contractor

  • Make sure your chemical/medical/sanitary waste is disposed of correctly

  • Ensure your bins are big enough to hold all of your rubbish

  • Be the green-hero. Let people know that you’re saving the environment.

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