Why waste management is so important in manufacturing
When many people think of industry, they probably still think of big, polluting factories. It’s probably a legacy of the earliest days of industrialisation. Of course, modern industry is no longer what it was in the 1800s. Successive regulation and changing industrial processes mean that industry is much cleaner than it once was. But there is still the need to manage waste from industry – whether that’s potentially hazardous items, or everyday by-products. In this blog, we’re looking at our waste management services which form part of our industrial cleaning offer.
Tight regulations to protect public health and workplace safety
The management of waste in the UK is governed by a number of strict regulations, including The Environmental Protection Act 1990, The Controlled Waste Regulations 2012, and The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. The interpretation how to define and classify hazardous waste can be found in the Environment Agency’s technical guidance (https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste). Waste is considered ‘hazardous’ under environmental legislation when it contains substances or has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste does not necessarily represent an immediate risk to human health, although some waste can. For instance, a spillage of solvents could be a direct threat to the respiratory systems of people nearby.
One of the most important elements is to make sure that hazardous waste is separated from non-hazardous material. Since 2005, the co-disposal of hazardous waste with non-hazardous waste at the same landfill site has been prohibited. According to latest available government figures from DEFRA, the UK produced around 4 million tonnes of hazardous waste across all sources in 2018. So basic characterisation of waste at an early stage is essential, to avoid mixing hazardous waste in with waste destined for landfill.
Waste management in manufacturing
We work with manufacturing and other industrial companies to ensure that they meet these criteria. As an upper tier licensed waste carrier, we are able to transport and dispose of waste on behalf of our clients. That means we’ll safely handle any waste generated by our industrial cleaning services, from residues removed during confined space cleaning through to washroom waste. And as part of our broader environmental commitments, we’ll work with them to encourage recycling where appropriate too.
Many manufacturers and other industrial companies use substances governed by COSHH regulations (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). All our cleaning operatives receive extensive training on COSHH in their induction, to keep our clients and themselves safe. We’ll use suitable PPE where necessary, and we’ll cordon off areas being cleaned with appropriate signage. We’re on top of waste management, so our manufacturing and other industrial clients can stay compliant with all the regulations, protecting public health and workplace safety.
Find out why Fidelis Group is the best choice for waste management here: https://www.fidelisgroup.co.uk/service/waste-management-clearances/
To find out more about Fidelis Group and our waste management services for manufacturers contact one of the team today.
- Telephone: 0845 431 0382 | 0121 289 3258
- Email: info@fidelisgroup.co.uk
Post by Jon Shaw
Jon is Managing Director at Fidelis Contract Services Ltd, a business dedicated to performance and professionalism in contract cleaning. Having been part of Fidelis for four years, and MD since December 2021, Jon knows the value of the company’s staff in building trust for successful long-term partnerships with clients in a range of sectors.
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