BusinessWaste.co.uk study shows firms filling landfills
According to BusinessWaste.co.uk, up to 80% of companies have no green policy in place and do not separate recyclable waste from non-recyclable. The study found many businesses will not sort paper, food or glass waste, despite the practice being widespread in domestic waste collections.
Jonathan Ratcliffe, recycling manager of BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Landfill is both wasteful and expensive and businesses are hitting themselves in the bank balance because of their inability or unwillingness to recycle. It’s a great step implementing a green policy, and it saves money almost from the start.”
BusinessWaste.co.uk found the most common things businesses are not recycling are paper and cardboard, plastics, electrical waste and old computers, as well as printer cartridges. The survey also found some companies are prepared to break the law in order to reduce or eliminate their waste-handling costs.
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Ratcliffe continued: “We’re well aware that some companies will still fly-tip in this day-andage, but we’ve found some smaller businesses prepared to admit they dispose of their waste at the household tip, while posing as a member of the public.
“It’s a dangerous game. Companies that breach their waste management duty of care face unlimited fines if they get caught. At £72 per ton going to landfill, it soon adds up for companies that don’t recycle.”