The booklet “Careless Waste…Costs Money” has been published by Waste Alert Bromley and Bexley, a group which was set up by environmental consultants Wastebusters to help businesses cut costs through improved waste management. By following simple measures businesses in the area have saved 75,000 and stopped more than 500 tonnes of waste from going to landfill.
Waste Alert Bromley is one of a number of London-based waste reduction clubs which have saved 300 businesses a total of 290,000 and prevented over 1,000 tonnes of rubbish going to landfill.
The guide focuses on 21 waste materials including paper, cardboard, glass, furniture, IT equipment, mobile phones and clinical waste. It also features 16 local businesses and organisations who have increased their profits by following simple waste reduction measures, which any business can take up.
Christine Bentley, Waste Alert co-ordinator, said: “The guide features local case studies but they are best practice examples which can be implemented anywhere.”
One organisation, the Housing Association saved 4,000 by adopting a more responsible attitude to waste and by introducing water and energy efficiency measures. Wastebusters said that the Association had produced 123 tonnes less refuse by following simple waste reduction measures.
Queen Mary’s General Hospital has also saved money be separating out cardboard waste for recycling. The hospital now recycles all its cardboard waste diverting approximately 48 tonnes from landfill a year.
Barbara Whitfield, support services manager at Queen Mary’s General Hospital, Sidcup said that a cardboard recycling scheme is saving them 2,500 a year. “I am delighted with the results we have achieved so far through Waste Alert and I am really keen to see more recycling introduced throughout the hospital.”
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