How to reduce your Business Waste

There are 3 simple steps that you can follow……

1.Carry out a WASTE AUDIT to find out

• how much waste is my business producing?
• what does this waste consist of?
• how much does waste disposal cost my business?

2.Look at the processes that produce this waste

There are 3 key principles:

• Can you reduce the amount of waste produced?
• Could some of the waste be reused again?
• Could the rest waste be recycled (telephone the Council Waste Hotline to find out if they can help on 020 8753 1100  or email wastehelp@lbhf.gov.uk. )

3.Identify legal obligations and make sure that you comply with them.

There is plenty of help and advice. Here are some useful contacts to help you carry out your audit and reduce your waste:

• a helpline service (spending up to 2 hours on each enquiry!) for all questions relating to waste minimisation, energy efficiency, and legislation
  
• a FREE half day counselling visit on waste minimisation for ANY business with less than 250 employees, usually including a 2-hour site visit plus an action plan and report
  
• a FREE booklet "200 tips for Reducing Waste" (up to 5 copies free of charge)
  
• FREE pocket booklets aimed at workforces "Everyone's Guide to Reducing Waste and Saving Energy"
  
• A full publications list including guides by industry sector to reducing waste and saving energy
  
  or have a look at their website www.etsu.com/html/helplines.html

The Environment Agency

• produce a FREE booklet and video pack . "Money for Nothing -Your Waste Tips for Free" phone 01707 632 300
  
• they also have an extremely useful guide "Waste Minimisation - An Environmental Good Practice Guide for Industry", available FREE
  
• For further guidance from the Environment Agency on how to reduce your Business Waste  click here

The Open University

• have produced "Managing Waste - a Business Guide" at £10. Contact the Open University tel 01908 858 793 or email ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk
  Information about the guide, including weblinks is available on www.open.ac.uk/studentweb/t541
  

Waste Watch

• a national charity (funded by DEFRA) which raises awareness and promotes action on waste reduction, reuse and recyling.
  
• Waste Watch has a "Wasteline" which can give you information about anything relating to good practice in waste management, including how to recycle specific materials e.g. tyres, paper etc. Tel or have a look at their website www.wastewatch.org.uk

London Remade

• Business Support Programme: A small business support programme has been established though East London Small Business Centre. Existing and start up businesses within the sector can sign up for one to one mentoring from an experienced business advisor and apply for a loan from the London Remade Loan Fund.

  For more information please contact Pauline Barnet on 020 7377 8821 paulineb@goeast.org or David Burnikell on 07710 206845 davidb@goeast.org