How Does Good Waste Management Boost Sustainability?

What is Sustainable Waste Management?

Sustainable waste management refers to the collection, transportation and disposal of waste in a way that minimises impact to the environment and human health.

Why is Sustainable Waste Management Important?

The UK generates hundreds of millions of tonnes of waste each year. In fact the UK statistics on waste featured on the Gov.uk website states that in 2018 it was recorded that 222.2 million tonnes of total waste was generated.

When waste is not disposed of correctly, lands and oceans become polluted. Plastic waste in particular is extremely harmful to wildlife and poisons sea life. In addition to this, the incorrect segregation and disposal of waste leads to an unnecessary amount of waste being treated or incinerated. This in turn means more emissions are released which are harmful to the environment.

Boosting Sustainability through Good Waste Management

Good waste management is crucial to sustainability for the following reasons:

• ‍Conserving our Resources – By recycling and reusing materials, the need for resources like metals, minerals, and wood is significantly reduced, helping to conserve our natural resources. By reusing organic waste to generate power, the reliance on fossil fuels is reduced which decreases greenhouse gas emissions.‍
• Reducing the Impact on our Environment: The correct disposal of waste prevents the pollution of air, water, and soil. All of which are essential for maintaining the health of our ecosystem. Sending waste to landfills can release harmful gases like methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. Through correct management, these gases can be captured and used to generate energy which then reduces their impact on the environment.‍
• Cost Savings: As a business you can save money by reducing the amount of packaging used and recycling items like cardboard and plastic. ‍
• Energy Efficiency: By recycling and composting less energy is required than producing new items or disposing of waste in landfills or incinerators, reducing your carbon footprint. ‍
• Regulatory Compliance: We all have a responsibility to comply with environmental regulations. Through effective waste management practices organisations remain compliant and avoid fines and legal issues.‍
• Public Health: Correct waste disposal minimises the impact on health associated with waste-related diseases, particularly in developing locations which have inadequate waste management systems.

How to Maximise Sustainability

To summarise, having good waste management practices in your organisation reduces environmental impact, conserves resources, promotes responsible consumption, and contributes to a more sustainable future. It can’t be done alone, a coordinated effort from individuals, businesses, governments, and communities is required to maximum sustainability.

WGS are committed to helping businesses be more sustainable through effective waste management. We are also committed to ensuring our own practices are sustainable by making sure everything we collect and dispose of is either recycled, reused, sent for energy recovery or composted.

For advice on how to become more sustainable through your waste management solutions, contact WGS.