Some of the recyclable materials found in enterprises include aggregates, electronic equipment, glass, metals, organic waste, paper, plastic, textiles, tyres, and wood, as well as opportunities for recycling them.
Recycled aggregates
Aggregates are byproducts of other industrial operations, such as demolition-site concrete. They are frequently reconditioned and reused in new construction or manufacturing operations.
Electronics that have been recycled
It’s vital to realize that even your broken-down electrical and electronic equipment can be reused. Parts from items such as:
computers;
cell phones;
refrigerators;
batteries, can be reconditioned and reused.
Glass from recycled sources
Glass can be recycled into a variety of valuable materials, such as:
cement, bricks, and concrete;
‘glass grit,’ a cleaning material;
new glass bottles;
fibreglass.
Metals from recycled sources
Metal production from raw materials is costly, and recycling offers a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative.
Organic waste recycled
Fruit and vegetable peelings, grass clippings, wood chips, and tea bags can all be recycled by:
Composting entails recycling organic waste into compost, which can then be used by farms or gardening firms.
Specialist heat processing for the production of liquid fertilizer and fuel.
Paper from recycled sources
You should try to utilize solely recycled paper in your business and make sure to recycle it afterward.
Newspapers and magazines can be reused to make egg cartons and packaging. Recycled photocopies and printouts can be used to make high-quality paper.
Cardboard can be recycled to make new cardboard or packaging, or it can be used to make animal bedding. Sort paper into boxes for recycling, first removing any staples and paperclips.
Plastics from recycled sources
Containers and plastic bags can be made from recycled plastic. Plastics must be separated for recycling, and many products are now labeled with a number to help with this process.
Textiles from recycled sources
Material can be recycled into textile, insulation, or knitting and weaving yarn. Carpet waste, for example, can be used for weaving, while croppings can be used for animal bedding.
Reclaimed wood
Recycling wood can be used to create a variety of new items, including:
bedding for animals;
pellets and chips of fuel.
Separate and store commercial garbage for recycling
For storage, transport, and recycling, waste materials should be separated into different categories (paper and cardboard, plastics, metals, and so on). You should keep your waste in sealed, labeled containers that are ready for recycling or disposal.
If you are keeping your own waste for recycling or disposal, you should check to see if you need a permit or exemption.
Check to see whether you have any hazardous garbage
Hazardous waste can be hazardous to both human health and the environment. It is usually not suited for in-house recycling since there are tight restrictions on how it can be stored, transported, and processed.
Avoid contamination during storage and transportation
You must keep garbage from escaping and polluting the environment. Take the following precautions:
storage container and tank leaks;
littered by the wind;
avoiding waste while transportation;
leaks from waste processing equipment, such as hydraulic oils from trash compactors.
Be aware that some of the materials you keep for recycling can contaminate the soil, and you may be liable for clean-up charges. For example, improperly handled fluorescent tubes may shatter, spreading mercury throughout your facility.
Waste separation and storage
Store garbage in facilities that can withstand a leak or spill and are apart from surface water drainage systems.
Label distinct materials and activities in different containment areas or bins. Consider color coding for easy identification, such as red for hazardous waste and green for glass.
If you mix hazardous garbage with ordinary rubbish, you will have to dispose of it all as hazardous waste.
Remove impurities such as metal staples or sticky tape from materials before recycling if feasible. This could increase the value of your resources because they will require less treatment.
Sort and store plastics based on their grade and kind. The following are the three most frequent types of recyclable plastic:
Terephthalic polyethylene (PET);
polyethylene with a high density (HDPE);
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) (PVC).
You must agree on how you will separate your waste for collection with your waste management firm.
Waste compression
If you have a lot of rubbish, smash it into blocks or bales with a baler or compactor. This allows you to move larger volumes in a single trip, perhaps saving you money.
If you do condense your garbage, you should perform the following:
Before compacting garbage containers that housed liquid, such as drums, plastic bottles, and cartons, drain and clean them.
Keep paper and card dry to avoid polluting compactor run-off.
To prevent pollution, keep the area around the compactor apart from surface water drains; drainage should be sent to a foul sewer with approval from Northern Ireland Water.
Stack baled material blocks firmly so they don’t fall over and spill materials all over your place.
Move baled goods around your site with caution – Bales that have been handled harshly may split, scattering materials all over your site.