With so many different types of waste to dispose of, it can be difficult to know where to start when managing the waste you produce. Solid waste is a common form of waste produced by several contexts, ranging from commercial businesses to other smaller parts of communities.
At ETM Recycling, we are recycling experts on hand to support businesses, communities and households with their waste management needs. In this blog, we outline some key information about solid waste management, breaking down what is meant by solid waste and why solid waste management is important for both communities and businesses.
What is Solid Waste Management?
Solid waste management is an umbrella term that can be used to refer to the collection, transportation, processing, recycling or disposal of solid waste materials. Solid waste management serves to provide suitable disposal for products that cannot be used, and appropriate and effective solutions for materials or product parts that can be re-used in alternative ways.
As solid waste can consist of several waste types, waste organisation plays a key role in solid waste management. Without effective sorting, solid waste management fails to fulfil its purpose in contributing to more environmentally conscious waste management and disposal processes.
To ensure it is carried out effectively, solid waste management requires careful planning that factors in the relevant financial, logistical and engineering considerations.
Waste Management for Communities and Businesses
Effective management of solid waste is of vital importance for businesses – not only does paying keen attention to your solid waste management process assist with the fulfilment of environmental and sustainability-based goals, but it can also have financial or even reputational impacts for businesses.
In the United Kingdom, solid waste management is also governed by aspects of legislation, for example, the requirement to separate food waste and recyclable materials from general waste, with failure to do so potentially resulting in a business being fined. The necessity to dispose of waste under such legislation also applies to households and wider community organisations, particularly if the incorrect management/disposal of solid waste is deemed to cause pollution or harm to human health.
It is in this vein that using due diligence when organising and managing solid waste also assists communities and businesses financially, allowing fines to be avoided.
Above all, coordinating an effective and efficient solid waste management process has notable benefits for environmental efficiency, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the quantity of waste ending in landfill. Recycling suitable materials also allows the preservation of raw materials and the promotion of the circular economy.
For more information about how recycling can have financial benefits for your business, discover recycling ideas to cut costs for your business.
Key Components of Solid Waste Management
Waste Generation
Of course, all waste management begins with the waste being produced in the first instance. Depending on where waste comes from, the quantity and type of waste produced might vary. For example, the solid waste produced by households will vary from that of businesses, which will be different to other larger settings such as factories or sites conducting industrial operations. Institutional contexts such as schools and nurseries will also produce their own forms and quantities of solid waste.
Waste Storage and Collection
Before solid waste can be transported and sorted, it must be appropriately stored. Best practices for doing this might include using separate bins for different types of solid waste. Alternatively, some places may use specialist waste storage spaces. In some instances, waste may receive basic treatment such as shredding or compacting prior to collection.
Transportation of Waste
Depending on the collection context, waste might be collected by an independent waste management specialist such as ETM Recycling. For household solid waste, collection will likely take place at regular intervals through council-funded waste management schemes.
Sorting and Recycling
Materials are then sorted into groups, to allow each to be processed and potentially recycled in accordance with their particular needs. Solid waste will likely consist of several sorting ‘categories. For example:
- Recycling (such as paper, plastic, wood, metal, and glass)
- Compost waste (such as food and garden waste)
- Hazardous waste (which refers to waste that would need to be specially treated to be disposed of safely, or requires the support of a waste management professional such as ETM Recycling)
Final Disposal
This would be the final step for any remaining materials that are not suitable for recycling or disposal or re-use in any other way. Typically, this would involve waste being sent to landfill or some other energy from waste facility, which may use processes such as incineration to harvest energy from waste materials.
Modern Approaches and Technologies
Many modern approaches to solid waste management combine efficiency and sustainability to minimise environmental impact. These include:
Chemical Recycling
This approach uses chemical technologies to break down materials into individual components. Methods of this might use heat or chemical solvents to extract materials that can be used again.
Organic Recycling
Organic recycling is another modern technology emerging for use on solid waste is organic recycling. This method includes treating waste with microbiological treatments under aerobic or anaerobic conditions in a way that breaks the material down into its smaller parts, before purifying the material ahead of further use.
Dissolution Recycling
Dissolution, as suggested by the name, also involves breaking down materials. This method uses solvents to separate constituent materials from contaminants. This way of managing waste is most common in industrial contexts.
Artificial Intelligence
AI technologies are here to stay – and they can help with our waste management too. At present, AI technologies have been primarily associated with aiding the sorting process ahead of recycling. Machines supported by AI technology can help identify a material based on its physical properties, allowing it to be sorted quickly and effectively. Similar technologies are also becoming prevalent within smart bins, recycling containers that are able to identify materials when they are discarded, removing the need for manual sorting.
Solid Waste Management at ETM Recycling
ETM Recycling offers a range of waste management and recycling services, including solid waste management and recycling. Improving your approach to recycling can be a daunting task, but ETM recycling is available to offer tailored guidance for businesses with our recycling and waste management services
With a wide host of industry experience and excellent local connections, we are on hand to help your business find the right recycling solutions for them. For more information about how ETM recycling could support you, get in touch today.
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