Appendix 7.34

Reducing wastes and energy on site can lead to large financial savings.

Around 225 million tonnes of waste is generated by industry each year, the majority of which is sent directly to landfill. Since October 1996, all waste disposed of to landfill has been taxed- which is charged at £7 per tonne, although in the case of waste classed as being of lower risk such as concrete, these are charged at £2 per tonne. These charges are reflected in the cost of waste disposal to businesses.

Reduction of waste, termed waste minimisation is the systematic reduction of waste at source. This can be achieved through many measures, some of which cost nothing to implement. Examples of waste minimisation measures include- good housekeeping practices, waste segregation, changing work practices and redesigning production processes.

Steps to take in minimising waste:

1. All wastes should be identified-a first step is to identify all waste on site and how much is produced as part of an environmental review or as a separate waste audit. Common wastes on industrial sites include used solvents; waste packaging; swarf; offcuts and machinery rinsewater.
   
   
2. All waste minimisation opportunities should then be identified for all waste generated on site - this may include using a different raw material used in a process or product e.g. using a less hazardous raw material. Where this is not feasible, waste and energy reduction opportunities should be explored, for example, reusing and recycling wastes, and implementing energy conservation schemes.

Ways of saving energy and reducing waste include:

• Good maintenance of all machinery, equipment and production plant to ensure that it is working as efficiently as possible.
  
  
• Ensuring that lights, taps, machinery and office equipment etc. is turned off when not in use.
  
  
• Reusing wastes, for example pallets, containers, packaging, metal offcuts etc.
  
  
• Using energy efficient machinery, energy saving light bulbs, efficient motors on machinery etc.
  
  
• Reducing water use through measures such as using flow restrictors, using manual spray guns when undertaking washing operations etc.
  
  
• Ensuring the heating and hot water pipes are insulated and boilers are operating efficiently.
  
  
• Reusing heat generated by processes.