How is hardcore waste recycled? From pick-up to end product
May 14, 2024OPINION: Integrated eco-solutions are in demand – and we’re ready to deliver
May 28, 2024How is hardcore waste recycled? From pick-up to end product
May 14, 2024OPINION: Integrated eco-solutions are in demand – and we’re ready to deliver
May 28, 2024
Waste contamination is a critical issue that undermines the effectiveness of recycling efforts across the UK.
The problem is about more than just mixing up different kinds of rubbish; it can make an entire container of otherwise recyclable materials impossible to reintroduce into the circular economy.
Improper recycling leads directly to higher waste management costs and environmental damage.
SunEnviro has seen the mess this can create, so we’ve stepped up with top-notch waste sorting facilities and client audits that teach how to keep waste clean and ready for recycling.
This isn’t just about keeping the earth green. Getting smart about stopping waste contamination can actually save you a fair bit of cash.
What is waste contamination?
Waste contamination occurs when different types of waste are mixed, rendering them unsuitable for recycling.
For example, in the construction and demolition industry, materials treated with chemicals must be separated and disposed of separately to recyclable materials, otherwise the whole lot will have to go to landfill or be incinerated.
Common items that can contaminate recyclable waste include full paint cans, asbestos, clinical/medical waste, fluorescent tubes, solvents, liquids, oil, batteries, and other hazardous/toxic material.
Disposable vape pens are a particular challenge recently. As electronic devices that contain batteries, they require specialised recycling. However, they often find their way into general recycling or waste bins, posing risks of fire in waste management facilities and further complicating the recycling process.
MORE: OPINION: Finally! We’re getting rid of disposable vapes for good
Greasy pizza boxes and food packaging, while made of cardboard, are considered contaminants in the paper recycling stream because the grease and food residues cannot be separated from the paper fibres, affecting the quality of the recycled product.
Nappies also pose a huge problem. Despite being largely non-recyclable due to their composition and contamination with human waste, they frequently end up in recycling bins. This not only makes the recycling process more difficult and expensive but also poses health risks to workers tasked with sorting waste.
| Clients may be able to get a rebate on SunEnviro’s services simply by keeping valuable materials to one side rather than throwing it all into the same skip. |
Waste contamination is further exacerbated by the challenges of wishcycling (people assuming items are recyclable when they aren’t) and the introduction of new regulations regarding potentially hazardous wood waste and soft seating POPs waste.
The UK’s approach to handling household, commercial, and industrial waste has evolved, with significant emphasis placed on reducing waste to landfill and increasing recycling rates.
Through consultations and tailored waste management strategies, firms like SunEnviro play a pivotal role in guiding companies through the complexities of recycling, ensuring that every piece of waste is handled with environmental and economic efficiency in mind.
MORE: What can’t you put in a skip?: A UK skip hire guide
SunEnviro’s approach to reducing waste contamination
In response to the challenges of waste contamination, SunEnviro takes a proactive approach to waste management.
The company offers specialised collection services for certain types of waste, such as:
- POPs waste: In light of new regulations for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in upholstered furniture, SunEnviro offers a dedicated collection service, ensuring they’re processed in compliance with legal requirements.
- Hazardous wood collection: Following the introduction of legislation banning certain types of wood from skips, SunEnviro provides special collections, helping businesses and individuals navigate these new rules safely and effectively.
- Electronic waste pickup: To address the dangers of wishcycling electronic devices, which can cause fires or explosions if incorrectly disposed of, SunEnviro arranges special pickups for e-waste like TVs, monitors, and appliances.
- Construction and demolition debris: The SunEnviro team understands the unique challenges of managing waste from construction sites. Our team works closely with construction businesses to sort, recycle, and dispose of construction and demolition debris onsite, before it’s screened further at one of our waste transfer sites in the East of England.
Not all waste can be properly separated before it reaches a SunEnviro site, which is why we invest in proper separation techniques to further reduce contamination:
- Automated sorting systems: SunEnviro employs state-of-the-art automated sorting systems that use flip-flow screens, air jets, magnets and mechanical separators to sort waste with high precision. This technology allows us to efficiently separate recyclables from non-recyclables.
- Manual sorting teams: For waste streams that require a more nuanced approach, our skilled manual sorting teams step in. They’re trained to identify and separate materials that automated systems might miss, ensuring that even the most challenging waste types are handled appropriately.
Proper waste sorting is the core of effective recycling. By working together, we can pave the way for a sustainable future, minimising the environmental impact of waste and fostering a culture of responsible waste management.
MORE: ‘SunSkips is far more than skip hire,’ explains Peter Healey
SunEnviro is the environmental services partner that extracts the most value possible from your demolition, commercial, industrial and domestic waste. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss how our advanced waste separation methods avoid contamination and help you save money.
