Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} There are many factors that need to be considered when setting up a new recycling scheme in your company. For example, what waste streams will be recycled, how much waste will be produced, how many and what type containers will I need and do these need to follow a particular color scheme? With all these different and sometimes confusing aspects to think about we may not consider is the actual environmental impact of the recycling bins themselves. A large proportion of recycling and waste bins in the UK market are manufactured from durable plastic (polypropylene). Around 8% of global annual oil production is currently used in the manufacturing of plastics. Extracting this finite resource requires vast quantities of energy and the process of plastic production uses harmful chemicals, whilst emitting pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. It is easy to see how, despite being created for an environmentally beneficial use, the manufacturing process of recycling bins will still have detrimental effects. What can I do to reduce these environmental impacts? Buy quality products – look for containers that are durable and well constructed. Recycling containers for commercial use will need to withstand far greater wear and tear than those used in the home. Invest in well made products that are less likely to need replacing and will last for years to come. Many recycling schemes will become self funding in just a few years from the cost savings of diverting waste from landfill. Source UK manufactured & distributed products – There are a great number of ranges of containers to choose from that are UK or European manufactured and distributed. Reducing the distance needed to ship the goods will help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the product. Look for products with recycled plastic content – Many containers are now manufactured with a percentage of post-consumer recycled plastic. This will reduce the need for extraction of virgin materials and will also reduce energy consumption and emissions during the production process. For example, producing recycled plastic carrier bags uses two thirds less energy and 90% less water compared to virgin production. Buy second-hand containers – The best recycling tip to reduce environmental impacts in waste management is through re-use. If you can source good quality second-hand or unwanted containers then this will prevent the recycling bins from being discarded and provide you with a very cost effective scheme. It is surprising how many large corporations will end up with redundant containers from an altered pilot recycling project or simple change in colour scheme. |