How to effectively manage waste is a concern for all businesses. Whether your company is office based or deals with hazardous materials on a building site, waste management is not only important but must be conducted according to strict guidelines set out by Government legislation. Even if your company is small, household waste disposal sites are not allowed to accept business waste, therefore you have a responsibility to ensure that your waste is managed and disposed of safely and legally. Your Waste Management Responsibilities Every business has a duty of care with regards to its waste output. This duty begins when the waste is produced and ends when it is given to an authorized waste disposal company. When handling and disposing of waste, you must consider the following: Storage – All business waste must be separated and stored securely, with appropriate labelling. Liquids should be held in watertight containers. In some cases you will need a license to store your waste at your business. Transporting – You may choose to transport your own waste, rather than directly handing it to a professional waste disposal company. You will usually need a license and waste transfer note to do this, particularly if your waste is hazardous. In this case you will also have additional responsibilities. Electrical Waste and Batteries – These two categories fall under particularly strict guidelines, so it’s advisable to check with your local authority to see what electrical and battery waste management services are available in your area. Confidential Waste – This category includes many subtypes, including financial details, personal information, company reports, and more. Confidential waste should ideally be destroyed before it is disposed of; for example by shredding or incineration. Choosing Your Waste Management Company Depending on the size of your company, you may not need to engage the services of a professional waste management company. However if you feel that a professional service would be of benefit, there are several factors to consider when looking for a provider. Most business would like to think of themselves as being environmentally friendly, so look for a waste management company which is committed to eco-friendly disposal. If you are concerned about identity theft, fraud, or the dissemination of sensitive information, then you may wish to engage with a waste management company that specialises in the handling and disposal of confidential documents. All waste management services must comply with government legislation about the storage, transport and disposal of waste, so if you decide to use a professional waste disposal service it is very important that you are given a receipt upon collection. This is to show that you as a business have complied with all regulations regarding waste management. With over twenty years’ experience, Lombard Recycling is a regulated waste disposal company specialising in secure shredding services. Based in London, they can also be found online at www.lombardrecycling.com.
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