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“Waste management can be a complex business area… but it doesn’t have to be.”

All businesses in the UK are legally obliged to:

1. Keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste (in that order)
2. Sort and store waste safely and securely
3. Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves your premises
4. Check if your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste
5. Not allow the waste carrier to dispose of your waste illegally (and report them to Crimestoppers if they do)
6. You have extra responsibilities if you’re dealing with hazardous waste.

Read more here: Dispose of business or commercial waste: Your responsibilities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What are the challenges?

Poor Waste Management Practices

Ineffective recycling

If you are not separating out your recycling from your rubbish, its a decision that’s not only bad for the planet, but also for your wallet. Recycling tends to be made up of bulkier items such as cardboard or plastic bottles. Did you know?: Recycling collections are typically cheaper than rubbish collections, sometimes by nearly half the price! If you are recycling correctly, you’ll be saving quite a lot of money. Before putting it in the bin, remember to flat pack your cardboard to ensure more space for your other recycling materials.

Time constraints

We understand that there may be time constraints you face as you are busy. By having clear signage or organising your bins in an easily accessible place to you; you may find it becomes easier to separate out your waste into the right bins and save the hassle of figuring out what goes in what bin or walking too far to empty your waste.

Utilising or purchasing products with packaging waste

If you use or purchase products that lead to a lot of packaging waste, such as plastic bottles or paper cups, you may want to consider changing this. Instead of using single-use products, you can slowly implement reusable products or find substitutes that will create less waste such as refills. This way, your business will be producing less waste and this is something you can practice at home too!

Improper disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

WEEE materials you might most commonly dispose off are items like old batteries, cables and monitors. Some people might throw these items in their regular rubbish bins because they may not know that they should not do so. “Every year an estimated 2 million tonnes of WEEE items are discarded by householders and companies in the UK” – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling (WEEE) (hse.gov.uk) If not recycled properly, these materials will lose their value and if exposed to certain materials or chemicals, can be extremely flammable and hazardous. If your business produces a lot of WEEE, do get in touch with us and we can help you set up a WEEE service here.

What can I do?

Behaviour change

Start with yourself. If you can identify practices that would be achievable and practical for you to recycle better or manage your waste better, it will be easier to cascade and share these practices with your colleagues or your household members. It could be something like properly recycling food waste and separating it from your rubbish completely. Practice habit stacking and build new practices slowly after you have mastered your first one. Reinforce positive behaviour at your workplace and set KPIs so you can continuously improve your efforts.

Efficient waste management in line with legislation

With new legislation, businesses have to implement separate recycling and food waste collections by the end of March 2025 (with the exception of micro-firms that will be required to have collections in place by the end of March 2027). Read more here: Government response – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Utilise data and analytics

Understanding your waste stream through data provides a bigger picture of your company’s usage of materials like paper and plastic. Monitoring this usage helps reduce the amount of waste produced. Read more here for the benefits of smart waste management.

© 2024 BINIT GROUP LTD

*Please review this post, even if you feel it may not be relevant to yourself.*

 We have been made aware that disposable and reusable vape pens and pods are being disposed of within Binit bins and containers. 

We advise you that vape pens and pods pose a serious fire risk when tipped into a collection vehicle and at the transfer station. This is due to hazardous materials within these items.  

Vapes are classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). These require a specialised collection. Due to this, these items are not accepted within our Rubbish and Recycling bins. 

If you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch. Email home@binituk.com or ring 01392 247035.

Smart waste management can be a real game-changer for businesses, provided they take the right steps and get the necessary guidance. At Binit, we have found that many SMEs spend more time fixing problems with their waste services than they do on the actual cost of the service. This highlights the need for businesses to re-evaluate how they manage their waste. Not only does smart waste management play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions, making businesses more sustainable and reducing their impact on the planet. It can also help you reduce costs in the long run.

Conduct a Waste Audit

Start by conducting a waste audit to understand and streamline the different kinds of waste produced. This allows you to create an optimised plan, reducing the number of waste collections needed on a daily basis. A waste audit can also give you a better understanding of the areas where you can focus on reducing your waste.

Utilise Data for Efficiency

Understanding your waste stream through data provides a bigger picture of your company’s usage of materials like paper and plastic. Monitoring this usage helps reduce the amount of waste produced. At Binit, we believe that nothing should be wasted, which is why we provide regular reports on your waste via our intuitive dashboard.

Educate Employees

Education is crucial in smart waste management. Many workplaces fail to properly educate staff on responsible consumption and waste disposal, leading to unnecessary tension. Simple, clear instructions and an adequate bin system are essential. Everyone should be able to find the right bin for the right waste easily.

Waste management training can lead to significant savings. Teach employees to reduce waste, from refusing unnecessary packaging to reusing materials. For example, providing free food items like fruits can boost morale and reduce the need for plastic-wrapped snacks.

Achieve B-Corp and Net Zero Status

Smart waste management can help you start your journey towards B-Corp and net zero certifications. These certifications add value to your brand and prepare you for future sustainability and emissions legislations, which will become more challenging for businesses.

At Binit, we are experts in waste management. We can help businesses manage their waste, provide valuable data, and accomplish your goal to achieve B-Corp status. We are on a mission to Binit Better, for your business and our planet.

Are you looking to get started with your bins? Or maybe you’re just looking for a change and unsure which bin might be the best fit for your business. Here’s a visual breakdown so you can decide what bin sizes are the best for you!

For example, if you have a lack of bin storage space, we can suggest that you have 240L sized bins of waste streams that you produce the most (e.g. food waste) which you can arrange to be emptied multiple times a week. This should help manage your capacity.

On the other hand, if space is not an issue, we would suggest you go with a larger bin (e.g.1100L) which you can arrange to be emptied less frequently. This would help lower your carbon impact with less miles traveled!

Interested in any of our gorgeous bins? Get in contact today through home@binituk.com or 01392 247 035

Last Week, Binit’s marketing and communications team visited the InExeter office located in the historic Exeter Guildhall. We were greeted with open arms and genuine enthusiasm by their team.

Learning About InExeter

InExeter is a Business Improvement District (BID) that works tirelessly to enhance the city centre for businesses, residents, and visitors. They support over 600 businesses by providing services such as marketing, events, and projects aimed at improving the local environment. Hearing about their journey and growth was truly inspiring.

Behind the Scenes of Business Operations

Our chat with the InExeter team gave us a glimpse into their day-to-day operations. From organising exciting events like the Exeter Festival to improving public spaces with beautiful floral displays and public art, their work makes Exeter a more vibrant and attractive place. Their efforts ensure that local businesses thrive and that visitors have a memorable experience.

Boosting Local Business and Tourism

One of the highlights of our visit was learning about the positive impact InExeter has on local businesses and tourism. Their initiatives draw more foot traffic to the city centre, helping shops, cafes, and restaurants flourish. By promoting Exeter as a top destination, they attract tourists, which in turn boosts the local economy.

Marketing Magic

We were also impressed by InExeter’s marketing strategies. They use a mix of social media, printed media, newsletters, and local campaigns to keep the community informed and engaged. Their creative approach helps highlight the unique offerings of Exeter’s businesses and encourages both locals and visitors to explore and enjoy what our city has to offer.

Looking Ahead

Our visit to InExeter was not just informative but also deeply motivating. At Binit, we share their commitment to making Exeter a better place for everyone. We aim to make Exeter a clean place and a city with good waste management service. 

Our day with InExeter was a reminder of the power of community spirit and hard work. We left the Guildhall feeling inspired and excited about the future. Together, we can continue to make Exeter a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.

Contact the Binit team today for a consultation on your waste management!

Awards season is truly in full swing! We are very grateful to have become shortlisted as finalists for the National Sustainability Awards 2024! This is for the category Circular and Recycling Award – Product Recycling.

“Although the awards are a celebration, they also serve to show how our society can, with good leadership, be lead through the post-pandemic recovery into a new and more sustainable path. The issues have not stood still, and neither have the solutions, but it is important that these ideas are seen and adopted. We are looking for the best in every category, from finance to renewables, from insulation to water conservation, all are important to ensure that future generations will be able to live in a cleaner, greener world.”

Looking forward to the winners announcement on October 2nd 🎉 !

We would like to thank the judges of #TheSPARKies2024 and are grateful for your recognition of our efforts. Thrilled to share that we won The Good Award last night! Congratulations to fellow finalists and award winners. Thank you techSPARK uk for hosting this brilliant award ceremony and celebrating the best of tech in the South West. Cheers Colin Dart from SETsquared Exeter, SETsquared Partnership for suggesting that we be nominated for this award.

Ethan Taylor, Philippa Roberts and Sara Binti Azizi had a great time at last night’s ceremony. We belly laughed at jokes by Emmanuel Sonubi, enjoyed yummy food sponsored by Barclays Eagle Labs and drinks sponsored by Ashfords LLP.

Our brilliant co-founder and CEO Philippa Roberts was also a finalist for the Awesome Human Award, she’s an awesome human in our hearts ❤️ Congratulations to the wonderful Tamsin Denbigh for winning this award.

We’d also like to say thank you very much to the category sponsor, Future Talent Group!

A huge shoutout to the amazing DCA PR for an incredible day of filming! They captured our story at Binit and our partnership with our partner (you will need to find out who ). We’re thrilled to share the incredible journey, benefits, and impact this company has had on our business.

Stay tuned for the final video from DCA PR – we can’t wait to share it with you all!

Founded in 1970, the Glastonbury Festival has grown into the UK’s largest music festival, featuring renowned artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa in its 2024 line-up. Attracting over 210,000 attendees annually, Glastonbury has transformed what could be a significant environmental challenge into a sustainability success story, here’s how they did it

Recycling Revolution 

Glastonbury’s commitment to recycling is nothing short of impressive. The festival recycles or reuses half of all its waste, beating the UK national average. From paper to plastic, Glastonbury ensures that what can be recycled, is recycled. The festival also has its own on-site recycling plant for hand-separating waste for single-stream recycling.

Say Goodbye to Single-Use Plastics!

In 2019, Glastonbury took a bold step by banning single-use plastic bottles. This move alone has prevented millions of plastic items from ending up in landfills. The festival has gone even further, introducing compostable crisp packets and banning disposable vapes. It’s all part of their mission to “Love the Farm, Leave No Trace.”

Creative Upcycling

Glastonbury doesn’t just recycle; it reimagines. The festival has constructed stages from reclaimed materials, turning what might have been waste into works of art. Imagine dancing in an arena built from recycled plastic found littering public spaces!

At Binit, we’re inspired by Glastonbury’s commitment to waste reduction. Our vision and approach to waste management focuses on simplifying waste for events and businesses, emphasizing eco-friendly solutions that align with sustainability goals.

Glastonbury Festival proves that sustainability and celebration can go hand in hand. By tackling waste management head-on and embracing innovative solutions, Glastonbury sets a new standard for eco-friendly events.

If you are a business looking for a recycling collector that lets you achieve net-zero, carbon-neutral or b-corp, book a waste review with us today!

Welcome to that special time of the year again – Plastic Free July! 

Plastic Free July by the Plastic Free Foundation is a worldwide initiative encouraging us to reduce plastic usage and embrace reusable alternatives. By cutting down on plastic pollution, we can enjoy cleaner oceans, streets, and living spaces, fostering beautiful communities (Plastic Free July, 2024).

How to Get Involved

Joining the Plastic Free July challenge is simple. Start by gradually reducing single-use plastics in your daily life, whether at home or in the office. Here are some easy swaps to consider:

• Single-use coffee cup ➜ Reusable coffee cup

• Plastic straw ➜ Reusable straw (metal, paper, bamboo)

• Plastic food container ➜ Reusable food container (glass, stainless, silicone)

• Plastic shopping bag ➜ Reusable shopping bag

“These small changes can make a significant impact.”

The Impact So Far

This movement has inspired over 100 million participants across 190 countries. Remember, every small change you make contributes to a larger global effort. 

By joining the Plastic Free July campaign with Binit, you can help make a massive difference in our community!

Embrace Plastic Free July and be part of a cleaner, greener future. Let’s make this month count!

Looking to make a bigger impact with your business? Book in a review today: https://binituk.com/net-zero/