Somerset Waste Partnership Downloads

Business Recycling Directory for Somerset (pdf)

Commercial Recycling Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

This year, for the first time, Somerset Waste Partnership has taken the opportunity to sponsor a new category in the prestigious Somerset Business Awards. 

The accolade will be awarded to the applicant who is able to demonstrate a significant commitment to reducing the amount of waste they have produced or sent to landfill during the last year.

This could result from investment in recycling infrastructure, a communications campaign or a process change. Applications should include details of how much waste was avoided over what period and, if known, the financial savings achieved or expected.

If you would like to enter the awards please download and complete the application form or alternatively complete the form on line on the website below.

Download the application form as a here (pdf).

For further details about the awards visit: www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk

Williton business recycling facility

The new business waste recycling facility located at Williton Household Waste Recycling Centre is now open to small and medium sized businesses, which hold valid waste carrier licences, in West Somerset.

Please click here for a list of materials that can be recycled and prices.

Winter opening hours are 9am to 5pm, October to April inclusive and summer hours are 9am to 7pm (May to September inclusive).

For more information on using the site, please contact Viridor on 01823 422460.

Resource Efficiency for Business

Business Link have produced a guide to resource efficiency for Businesses.  The booklet provides guidance and ideas to help businesses use resources more efficiently, and provides information on key legislation that affects all businesses. Click here to download (pdf).

Duty of Care

All businesses, however large or small have a Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act (1990) to take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe and arrange for its legal disposal.

The Duty of Care applies to waste, of any nature, associated with your business. It could come from your business premises, a work place or even a residential property.  Commercial waste collections are not covered by Business Rates.

It is an offence to take commercial waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre, to take it home for collection as household waste, and to fly-tip waste.

All businesses must keep waste transfer notes which detail what has happened to their waste and the type of waste it is.  A copy of a waste transfer note must be kept for two years.

Many businesses find that they can save money by recycling some of their waste.  By recycling waste, they will also be fulfilling the pre-treatment regulations that came into force in October 2007 and which state that all waste must be pre-treated before being sent to landfill.

There are a number of licensed waste management companies who provide commercial waste and recycling collection services in the area.  A list of these can be found in the Yellow Pages and similar directories, or online.

WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) have developed a commercial waste database that lists suppliers working in the area. It can be found at  www.recycleatwork.org.uk. 

NetRegs also provide a waste directory which lists local registered waste management companies and whether recycling facilities and or collection facilities are available in a particular area.  This directory can be found at http://netregs.wastedirectory.org.uk/ and it is possible to search by postcode and material.

The Somerset Waste Partnership provides refuse collection arrangements for businesses if requested to do so.  We do this through contractual arrangements with our collection contractor May Gurney.  However, the collection costs may not be competitive compared to the dedicated commercial waste collection contractors operating in the area, so we would recommend you also seek quotes from these. 

The actual cost to your business of arranging for the removal of your waste will depend on the specific requirements and will relate to the type of waste, the form of containment and the frequency of collection. 

The reason that waste collections are not included in the Business Rates is due to the hugely varying needs of different businesses.  There is no standard service and therefore no standard cost that could be applied.

By recycling some of your waste, you will not only be fulfilling the Pre-Treatment regulations, but you may also find that it saves you money.  Landfill Tax is increasing each year and will be £48 per tonne by 2010. This means that landfill is becoming an increasingly expensive option and other treatment options including recycling are preferential not only environmentally, but also economically.

We advise you to contact a number of waste management contractors to get the best deal for your business.  You should also consider the type of containment you require.  Where relevant, ensure you have permission from the owner of the property before siting a skip.

Contracts

Careful thought is needed to arrange a contract that suits the needs of your business.  For example, a food business will need enough collections to remove all of the waste produced so as to minimise the risk of attracting vermin.

All waste should be in bags, wheeled bins or other suitable containers so as to minimise the chance of anything escaping before collection.  You should agree collection day(s) with your contractor as well as where the waste will be left out. 

Once the contract has started, check now and again that the waste is being removed by the time agreed.  You should ensure that the waste is left out for collection as close to the time of collection as possible. Where possible, it is preferable not to leave waste out overnight, but in any case, it should not be left out any earlier than the evening before collection.  Should a spillage occur before collection takes place, it is your responsibility to clear this.

Where to go for further advice

Business Link provide practical advice for businesses on a wide range of topics including waste management and recycling.

www.businesslink.gov.uk

Environment Agency is the regulatory body ensuring the protection of the environment.  They hold information on legislation and which companies have the relevant waste licences.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Envirowise offer free, independent support to businesses, helping them become more resource efficient and saving them money.  Their website has a wealth of excellent generic as well as sector specific information and you can sign up for monthly updates.  Alternatively access the on-line enquiry form to get further information or download one of a selection of useful publications. 

Tel: 0800 585 794   

http://www.envirowise.gov.uk

NetRegs provides free environmental guidance for businesses in the UK including what needs to be done to comply with environmental legislation, protecting the environment and identifying ways to use resources more effectively.

www.netregs.gov.uk

NISP (National Industrial Symbiosis Programme) is an organisation that facilitates resource exchange across the UK.

www.nisp.org.uk

Recycle More is a one-stop recycling information centre where it is possible to find information on recycling in the workplace.  The site also provides information on where to find dedicated drop off sites for business waste electrical and electronic equipment.

http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/nav/page519.aspx

WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) have developed a comprehensive database of commercial waste recycling contractors operating throughout the UK. The website also provides a lot of information on recycling for businesses including case studies.

http://www.recycleatwork.org.uk

Waste Directory lists waste contractors that have sites that can take some or all of your waste.

http://www.wasterecycling.org.uk/SelectLocation.aspx