How well are you managing your waste?

The United Nation’s environmental programme calculated that in 2020, the global direct cost of waste management was an estimated USD 252 billion. When factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, poor health and climate change from poor waste disposal practices, the cost rises to USD 361 billion.^{[ref 1]}

Global figures like this are so large that it’s hard to imagine them, but individual business costs are skyrocketing too. Waste-disposal expert Veolia calculated back in 2017 that small businesses spend around £384 a year each on waste disposal.^{[ref 2]} This would equate to £502 in November 2024 with inflation.^{[ref 3]}

I'm focusing on wasted energy and wasted labour, which Veolia also highlighted would add huge amounts to this figure. 

Do you know where does your waste goes?

You might be aware that a lot of waste, even when it’s recycled, goes to landfill. The image of massive piles of rubbish isn’t a pretty one, and that’s not the worst of it. Landfill sites generate and release biogas into the atmosphere, cause fires and explosions, and can contaminate soil and water.^{[ref 4]} The cheapest waste management solutions may not be the safest or the most environmentally friendly.

Waste management frequently involves complex supply chains and is therefore attractive to people traffickers. In 2018, it was reported that two-thirds of modern slavery victims had been placed within the sector at some point during their period of exploitation.^{[ref 5]} Proactively assessing the occupational safety and health (OSH), environmental and social performance of your supply chains can ensure you’re not complicit.

Identify wasted energy and labour

Waste management often involves manual handling and hazardous materials. Having to follow inefficient processes can contribute to stress at work. Like any other policy or process document, waste management processes need to be updated and revised periodically to identify the full range of risks.

Whether or not you’re responsible for environmental health, you could help to drive improvement and save money by contributing OSH insights to a process review. You might even find ways to make the process safer.

Waste management policy and process should account for changes to:

• the products used by the business
• the packaging used for both internal and external distribution
• the contracted waste management supplier
• the time workers currently spend following the process
• hazards and risks related to the process
• injuries or ill-health incurred while following the process
• the availability of new technology that could make the process more efficient.

Get smarter with technology

Keeping abreast of advances in technology is a great way of identifying efficiencies that can also help to keep workers safe. For example, Liverpool City Council is piloting the use of solar powered ‘smart bins’.^{[ref 5]} These can trigger a compactor to crush down the litter when they’re close to being full. They also send a signal to the waste depot when they’re nearly full, meaning there’s no time or resource wasted in emptying them unnecessarily.

Step up to the challenge

In summary, OSH professionals can work with other stakeholders to:

• improve local waste management processes
• ensure supply chains are legally compliant
• identify opportunities to implement technology for safety and sustainability.

References

1. Global waste management outlook 2024 | UN environment programme 
2. The real cost of business waste disposal in the UK | Brother UK 
3. Inflation calculator | Bank of England
4. Landfills: a serious problem for the environment | Sustainability for all
5. City to pilot 'super-smart' solar bins | BBC News