Cost, targets and compliance – why waste matters

Steve Lee writes: there are compelling business benefits for the FM sector in engaging with the waste and resource efficiency agenda.

Now more than ever before, waste is an important bottomline issue for UK plc. At one end of the supply chain, the price of raw materials, components and products is rising. At the other, Landfill Tax will reach £80/tonne by 2014/15, the general cost of waste collection services and transport is on the up and more landfill bans are looming for certain wastes. Indeed earlier this year, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted overwhelmingly in favour of new waste proposals including the phasing out of landfill altogether.

Make your waste work : increasing recycling and reducing costs

Recycling in the work place isn’t only about putting paper in the correct recycling bin or re-using an envelope. It’s a whole new approach that a business needs to take in order to remain competitive and for some it can turn an overhead into a revenue stream. Alison Evans, Key Account Manager, Cory Environmental Recycling Services looks at the factors involved.

Getting the best from your pest controller

The provision of pest management services to a professional standard is an area often overlooked. Yet the economic consequences of inadequate pest control could be catastrophic. Kevin Higgins from the British Pest Control Association explains the risks, and how to draw up a pest management specification to minimise them.

Taking the pledge: the value of green credentials

Over the last few years the role of the facilities manager has grown and evolved as the practice has increased in importance to business – and sustainability has been a big part of that, writes Amy Seabrook.

Facilities managers are increasingly fundamental in delivering efficiency and sustainability in commercial properties, schools, hospitals and the workplace. Specifically, FMs have a key part to play in delivering the sustainability ambitions and green credentials of a business.

What a load of rubbish…or is it?

By Emma Stapleton is co-founder of tradingwaste.com

Waste:
Verb – 1. use carelessly, extravagantly or to no purpose; 2. fail to make full or good use of; 3. be unappreciated by
Adjective – eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required
Noun – 1. an act or instance of wasting; 2. unusable or unwanted material

The definitions of waste are many but the common thread running through all the possible meanings of the word is that it is inefficient to waste. Whether you are an environmental evangelist or a professional striving to do their best for both your Company and the environment, it is beyond question that the generation of waste at current levels is both unsustainable and extraordinarily costly. The buck for dealing with waste tends to stop with you, the Facilities Managers and for you it can be a pretty thankless task. Waste as a by-product of a process of production may be largely unavoidable but in this day and age it is still a matter that has to be addressed and for those amongst you that work in an environment that creates a myriad of different waste products, the constant battle to dispose of waste in a speedy, efficient and environmentally sound fashion must be never ending.

Recycling WEEE lamps the easy way

Research shows that when it comes to recycling waste lamps, Facilities Managers and FM companies are making good progress, but still missing out on cost effective options available to them. Here, Recolight Chief Executive, Nigel Harvey, explains where the industry stands today.

Making a difference

Facilities managers must take a lead on the sustainability agenda, argues Wayne Tantrum

WEEE can be hazardous it can also be difficult to deal with!

Electronic waste is currently considered one of the fastest growing and most problematic waste streams in the UK and Europe, and much of it is hazardous waste

FM Legal Update 2011

The Coalition Government came into power promising to reduce the ‘excessive’ levels of business regulation imposed by the previous Government. So how has it fared and what else is on the agenda? Sara Bean reports

Are you creating rubbish or managing a profitable resource?

By Harvey Laud – Managing Director – Helistrat Management Services

Waste not want not

The scope of the modern FM has evolved beyond its origins in building management to include almost every aspect of an organisation’s operations

The future is green

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are becoming increasingly important to everyone involved in FM. But what do the terms actually mean, how do they inter-relate and what are their implications for FM providers and their clients?

Waste electrical electronic equipment is for your voids too

V.F. Eckerman, the founder of Weeeco Ltd, explains the specifics of the Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment directive.

Cleaning Up: Opportunities in a hard-pressed market

The UK economy is in recession, with some shocking figures floating about – but it's not all doom and gloom, writes Andrew Large.

Facilitating resource efficiency

Chris Hodgson of Envirowise discusses FM's crucial role in delivering environmental improvements to companies, as resource efficiency becomes a higher priority in the business community. 

Green buildings

Ankit Kapasi, Deputy Head of Operations at the Centre for Environment and Safety Management for Business (CESMB), Middlesex University presents the case for making cost savings by better environmental management of buildings.  

WEEE in business have explicit legal responsibility

Weeeco guides facilities managers through the minefield of hazardous waste regulations, the compliance options for businesses following the WEEE Regulations of July 2007 and how future costs to the economy can be reduced by planning ahead now. 

A disposable matter

Sam Wareing of Accelerated Compost considers the potential environmental and financial benefits of recycling the one waste material that many of us are either overlooking or are unaware of the processing options available - organic waste. 

Setting sights on greener construction

Increasingly, private and public sector organisations are seeing the commercial and social benefits of reducing the environmental impact of new build and refurbishment projects. Mike Watson looks at how facilities managers can make a difference throughout the construction process by looking more closely at materials resource efficiency. 

Reducing your carbon footprint

It's what every organisation is talking about and looking to achieve in the current climate. But what is a carbon footprint? And how can it be reduced? Hugh Jones explains.