How to set your waste management goals for 2025?
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Are you guilty of overlooking your waste management strategy over the years? Then 2025 may well be the year to get your act together and implement better waste practices? Why? Because as regulations tighten and the expectation on businesses to be environmentally responsible increases, businesses have little choice but to invest time and resource in effective waste management.
More than just a tick-box exercise, a strong waste management strategy can actually have great benefits for your business when executed in the right way, such as cost savings, and positioning your brand as eco-friendly to customers and stakeholders.
But where do you start? Let’s break it down:
Why 2025 is significant
Firstly, the UK government has announced important changes to business waste collections that will be enforced in 2025. As part of the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, businesses are forced to focus on recycling and reusing waste, with the goal to reduce the reliance on landfills in the long-term.
Improved waste management solutions are a critical part of this journey, and businesses need to play their part if they wish to avoid risking hefty fines for non-compliance – not to mention the reputational damage.
However, beyond compliance, there’s opportunities for businesses to benefit from a strict waste management strategy, including saving money, boosting efficiency, and satisfying eco-minded clients and stakeholders. A win for your business and the planet.
Step 1: Assess your current waste practices
A great place to start is to assess your current waste management practices and identify what works and what doesn’t. This way, you can get a good idea of how to write your new goals.
Audit your waste: Identify what types of waste your business generates – such as general waste, recyclables etc - and in what quantities.
Look at costs: Look how much you’re spending on waste disposal and determine if there are areas where you could save, by recycling more or reducing waste at the source.
Review your current solution: Check whether your current waste management provider meets your needs and identify how long is left on your contract. Switching to a more efficient provider might bring savings and better recycling options.
Step 2: Define your goals
Next you want to look at setting your goals. You’ve probably heard of the SMART goals model (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely). This is a good structure to follow, as it ensures you can remain on track. Here are some ideas:
- Send less waste to landfill: Commit to cutting the amount of waste sent to landfill by a certain percentage, such as 25%, by 2026.
- Increase recycling rates: Aim to recycle 75% of your business waste. Look for waste providers whose recycling commitments align with yours.
- Eliminate single-use plastics: Switch to reusable or compostable alternatives where possible.
- Get employees involved: Introduce staff training on waste reduction and actively encourage participation through education and insights.
Step 3: Partner with the right waste provider
Choosing the right waste provider is key to achieving your goals. Work with a provider who specialises in your individual requirements and who has specialist experience in providing solutions for your industry.
It’s a good idea to look for suppliers who can provide transparent services with clear data reporting and pricing, as well as those who utilise new and innovative technologies, such as waste-to-energy processing or advanced recycling methods. These tools will enable you to monitor the performance of your strategy and help you to understand if you’re reaching your goals. There’s no one-size fit all when it comes to choosing the right waste management provider.
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Although 2025 brings challenges when it comes to effective waste management practices, it also presents opportunities for businesses.
Contact Everflow today!
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