Article Date:
Author:
Lara Bhogal
Aim
To implement a rigorous recycling programme to meet the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard with the objective of reducing the environmental impact of the client’s operation. The operation is based on a site covering four large buildings with a large and varying work force, covering both daily office cleaning and manufacturing.
Statement
The request for assistance in developing and implanting the recycling programme proved challenging as the client has rigorous environmental standards to meet.
Detail
The company was concerned that throughout the entire site and workforce there was no recycling provision. Each work station (office and plant) had its own bin and all aspects of waste were collectively disposed of. No records of recycling or disposal were available apart from gross tonnage.
Nu Kleen were able to design a workable efficient recycling programme which segregated waste streams into recyclable bulk collections. Specialist labourites and office areas within the space had tailor made recycling and waste arrangements put in place, this enabled them to increase specific recycling streams on site.
This programme allowed for the removal of the numerous different types of bin and waste receptacle to be replaced with a uniform four stream waste collection point in each work space. The four main streams of waste being recyclables, glass, food and general waste. Each was collected into one managed bulk collection point by Nu Kleen staff on site, as opposed to several dumping areas for each building before the programme was implemented. Bulk collection arrangements were provided and contracted waste collections were arranged on specific days during the week to best suit the operation of the site.
Specialist collection arrangements to run alongside the four main streams including wee and hazardous waste.
Detailed recording of waste recycling collections is now provided within the site reporting system. Waste transfer notes are received from the collection agencies and passed directly to the client for display and circulation as information to all staff. The client has full online access to the reports.
Summary
After consulting with Nu Kleen the management adopted the suggested proposals:
• New recycling programme implemented and operational
• Embedded and adopted way of working with all staff on site
• Monthly environment recycling reports available to management
• Recycling points actively encourage staff to participate in recycling
• Programme actively contributes to the corporate environmental policy
• Programmed collections of waste streams contribute to the reduction of
business carbon footprint
