The guide “Careless Waste… Costs Money” has been published by waste reduction group Waste Alert North London. Waste Alert is a project of Waste Watch Services, the trading arm of Waste Watch, the national waste awareness organisation.
There are currently six Waste Alert clubs in London. The clubs help businesses to reduce costs and increase efficiency through improved waste management, exchange of materials, water and energy savings.
Waste Alert North London has helped businesses in Camden, Islington and Haringey save 56,882 over the last three years.
Launching the guide, Samantha Heath, chair of the GLA's environment
committee, said: “This guide meets an important need for London's businesses and gives them the information and encouragement they need to start saving both money and the environment. Disposal of London's 18 million tonnes of annual waste costs dearly both financially and in terms of the impact this has when landfilling or
sending for incineration. Waste reduction is the way forward.”
The launch was held at the British Museum, one of 16 best practice case
studies featured in the guide. The British Museum has saved money by buying environmentally friendly
products, recycling, introducing water and energy efficiency measures
and joining Waste Alert's waste exchange scheme. In one year they
have recycled 8.5 tonnes of office paper and 11.5 tonnes of glass.
The guide also shows businesses how they can dispose of and recycle 19 types of waste including paper, cardboard, paint, furniture, mobile telephones and clinical waste. A directory lists more than 100 organisations providing relevant products and services.
Barbara Herridge, executive director of Waste Watch, said: “In my experience waste minimisation clubs are an effective way to motivate businesses. Many don't realise that managing
their refuse can cost up to 4% of their turnover, while
recycling and reduction can actually save money.”
So far, Waste Alert clubs have saved their 309 members over 265,700 and diverted more than 1,032 tonnes from landfill.
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