What are the risks of ineffective waste management?
Waste management is an important conversation across all sectors, which is why it’s essential to make sure your processes in place are effective. At Reconomy, we want to help businesses build systems to deal with the waste they produce, but also highlight why it’s so crucial. This guide will break down the many risks associated with incorrect waste management.
What are risks associated with incorrect waste management?
Environmental impacts
The most common risk associated with incorrect waste management is the impact that waste has on the environment. If not disposed of properly, waste materials can seep into water and soil, damaging whole ecosystems and making it harder for natural wildlife to be sustained. Similarly, landfills contribute hugely to emissions and air pollution. Without proper containment measures, it can lead to the release of harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases.
Social and human impacts
Not only will improper waste affect our environment, but it will trickle down to humans as well. The water and soil that becomes contaminated can spread to our food and drinking water and turn it toxic. From a social perspective, consumers are becoming more conscious of businesses’ approaches to environmental issues and are more willing to spend their money with those who are conscious of them.
Having a strong, positive stance on waste management can help maintain your business’ image and drive customer support for your services.
Economic impacts
Incorrect waste management can impact the economy as it creates many sustainable jobs both working to maintain landfills and in waste recovery. This helps towards building a circular economy and more employment opportunities for local communities.
Regulatory and legal risks
There are many legal and regulatory risks you can face for not having proper waste management policies in place. The UK government has several laws in place to address waste produced, most notably the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This act states that businesses must be responsible for the storage, transport, and disposal of their own waste. Failure to comply can result in legal action, ranging from fines to prosecution.
What are the risks associated with incorrect waste management in construction
The construction industry contributes a huge amount of waste in the UK alone. Most of the materials used on building and project sites are non-biodegradable like concrete and plastics, which means they end up in landfills unable to be broken down. Many materials used by the industry possess toxic substances in them, so if the waste management of these materials isn’t done appropriately, can contribute to further land, air, and water pollution. At Reconomy, we have more than 25 years of experience helping businesses in the construction sector with waste management that can be tailored to your needs. Get in touch today and find out more about how we can help you more effectively manage your waste.