Business waste
If you are a business and would like to recycle your waste there are a number of companies in Essex who provide recycling services and give free confidential advice for businesses. Commercial waste which can be used for arts and crafts can be donated to a scrap store scheme.
The County Council and the District and Borough Councils are not responsible for providing businesses with recycling facilities. If a business or organisation wishes to recycle they would have to make their own arrangements with a company able to collect and recycle the material.
The operators of landfill sites can no longer accept waste which has not been subject to some form of treatment to reduce its volume or impact on the environment. This is therefore the ideal time for businesses to start looking at how they deal with their waste. For more information on this new requirement, and how it may effect your business, contact the Environment Agency on environment-agency.gov.uk or 08708 506506.
Although the County Council and the district and borough councils are not responsible for providing businesses with recycling facilities more are expanding their recycling services to include businesses. It is therefore advisable to contact your local council to see what services they provide, if they are unable to service your business they will be able to advise you of what other options are available. There are also several schemes within the Eastern region that aim to reuse unwanted items from businesses, preventing them from going to waste.
For further information on recycling and reusing for business please see essexcc.gov.uk/recyclingforbusinesses.
Essex Materials Exchange
A materials exchange is a free online service that allows companies or organisations to list surplus resources, making them available for use by another, either for sale or free collection. This may encompass a wide range of materials, perhaps difficult wastes, which may not have recognised markets, brokers or dealers e.g. wooden palettes, paper off cuts, office supplies and other raw materials.
Eastex is a website that allows companies and organisations in the eastern region exchange materials with each other. To find out more visit the Eastex website.
Waste2Resources is a directory of sources, sinks and links for creating sustainable waste partnerships between the business and community sector in Essex
The directory consists of:
- Sources of resources from waste, e.g. businesses with items for donation such as seconds, bike parts, off cuts etc.
- Sinks - organisation and companies who accept waste resources and stop them being dumped in landfill
- Useful internet links
This printed version is also available on line and will be regularly updated. To view the online directory visit www.waste2resources.org.uk.
Resource Saver
The Regional Resource Saver East Project reduces waste sent to landfill from businesses diverting it for re-use, recycling or composting by community, charitable or not for profit groups. The project uses volunteers and builds partnerships.
For further information or if you would like to get involved in the project, please contact: Gemma Sortwell, Resource Saver Manager on 01223 411699 or email gemma@crn.org.uk or visit www.crn.org.uk/cwne/resourcesaver or download the Resource Saver leaflet (1,688Kb).
Scrap wanted for children’s craft projects
The Children's SCRAP Project, based in Hackney, celebrates its 30th birthday this month. The charity was set up to collect and distribute clean business waste such as paper, card and fabric to education bodies for use in children's craft projects. In 2006 alone, the organisation's activities diverted 130 tonnes of material from landfill. Collection is free for donors wishing to give away their unwanted material and SCRAP will collect from anywhere in south-east England. Call 020 8985 6290 or visit www.childrensscrap.co.uk to arrange a collection.
For more information on business recycling and further links visit the Essex County Council website.
Whatever Recycling company businesses use they must ensure that the company is registered and have a Waste Carriers Licence. You can check a company's detail by visiting the Environment Agency website.