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The 5Rs of Effective Waste Management

Posted on October 30, 2023November 6, 2023 by Dinesh

Waste is a serious problem that impacts both the environment and our well-being. With increasing population and consumption, there is a need for appropriate waste management practices to reduce negative consequences and increase sustainability The idea that 5Rs-Reject, Clean, Recycle, and Recycle has gained a lot of awareness. These principles provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable and responsible waste management.

The 5Rs of Effective Waste Management

Refuse

It can be challenging because your business will need to become used to refusing waste production, but it’s the best approach to reducing waste. What? Well, you can gradually reduce the amount of waste your company generates on a daily basis by just refusing to use single-use plastic or wasteful, non-recyclable products. Ideally, you should discuss the possibilities with the procurement staff to determine the best strategy for tracking this phase of the process. When engaging with suppliers or vendors, make an effort to avoid using unnecessary product packaging and instead choose recyclable or returnable containers and packing.

Reduce

All of this has to do with using less hazardous, unnecessary, and non-recyclable products in order to save money, protect the environment, and other reasons. You may avoid having an adverse effect on the environment and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by reducing your dependence on these kinds of products.

To avoid unnecessary waste, we would always suggest employing the bare minimum because the materials and energy saved could be used for other needs down the road. One excellent example would be to print a document twice in order to reduce the amount of waste you produce by half. Reducing the quantity of plastic packaging, organic waste, and single-use plastic are some more approaches.

Reuse

Single-use plastics, including straws, cups, and today’s masks, have created a culture of “throw away” and “one won’t hurt.” The frequency at which we all use plastic products is fast approaching the inconceivable, and the problem of plastic has long been one of the largest environmental issues facing the planet. Businesses are encouraged to recycle products instead of replacing them in the workplace as part of a drive to reduce waste.

All you have to do is focus on one aspect of your company at a time, like the work kitchen. Make an effort to swap out all of the single-use equipment and utensils for recyclable and compostable alternatives. Once your company has successfully mastered eco-friendly practices, look for additional products that may be reused, like food containers, printer cartridges, protective packaging, and even rechargeable batteries.

Repurpose

Try repurposing an item instead of reducing, reusing, or refusing it if you can’t. This method is often referred to as “upcycling” in the “green” world. You will frequently be shocked to discover how many commonplace office items have several uses.

Upcycling everyday items encountered in the office has countless potential, but it will occasionally require some vision and innovation. Try repurposing empty cardboard boxes for storage, used mugs and cups as stationary holders, or even tiny wires held together with blinder clips.

You may even set up a small space for an “upcycling station”, where you gather and store objects that you can use again at a later time. Encourage coworkers and guests to leave their “unusable items” behind and see what creative solutions you can come up with to make sure they can still be used efficiently.

Recycle

And last, but certainly not least, there’s recycling! After you have explored all the other Rs, recycling is the greenest way to dispose of waste. If your company is not recycling now, start by collecting organics, cardboard, paper goods, plastics, and glass. When businesses first begin recycling, many are taken aback by how much waste they are able to cut by putting in place a successful recycling programme.

Conclusion

Finally, the 5Rs of successful waste management provide an extensive framework for businesses, organisations, and governments to handle the world’s significant waste problem. You can considerably reduce the environmental impact of waste and contribute to a more sustainable future by following the concepts of refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle.

4 Great Facts About Waste!

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Quick Wasters

1.Supermarket plastic bags take 1000 years to decompose.

To avoid littering the world of the future, hold on to supermarket plastic bags and re-use them next time you go shopping, or buy an inexpensive tote bag and keep it folded in your car or handbag to avoid needing to pay for additional carrier bags.

2.Each UK household produces over 1 tonne of waste per year.

The household waste you accumulate over the course of a year, anything from banana skins and unwanted DVDs to broken TVs and garden furniture. Research suggests that nearly 90% of what we see as ‘waste’ is recoverable.

3. Waste is expensive!

Think about all the hidden costs that go into dealing with waste. From paying hundreds of litter pickers in every borough an annual salary, to the costs of daily or weekly waste and recycling collection, each council spends an enormous amount of money on waste disposal.

If each household in the UK thought more carefully about how much rubbish we throw away, a significant amount of every borough council’s budget could be diverted into public services like libraries and schools.

4. Glass and aluminium can be recycled continuously without any quality loss.

Glass and aluminium can be recycled forever. Coke cans, baked bean tins, and empty wine bottles can all be taken to a treatment plant, crushed, melted and re-moulded into brand new products.

To find out more information regarding waste removal services, visit www.quickwasters.co.uk

Home Recycling Help

Posted on July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 by Quick Wasters

The large majority of household waste that is produced can be recycling into other things. It is estimated that 70% of what the average family throw out on a weekly basis is recyclable. If you take some care with this, you will save room in your main rubbish, bin, reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and save your local authority money.

To start with you should have a place at home where everything can be stored in separate containers. This can be boxes, bags or bins. Your local council will provide you with these. If you do not currently have these, you can contact them through their website to order what you need.

Nearly all paper and card can be recycled. Flatten out old boxes so you can get more room in the container. Books, birthday cards and old toilet roll tubes can be put together.

Nearly all plastic containers are also recyclable. If you are unsure, just check the packaging. Some lids are not recyclable and this will be stated. These will have to go into the normal bin for disposal.

Metal is also recyclable. Any tin foil, tinned goods and old deodorant sprays can go into the same box. You should rinse out old food cans so that additional mess will not happen and you will avoid bad smells.

Find out where your recycling poin is in your area. You will be able to take old bottles, plastic, paper and card and even old clothes there. You can get this from the local council’s website.

You will have a limit to what you can have taken away from your collection date. If you have large amounts, it is advised to use the services of a local, reputable and licensed rubbish removal company to removal any unwanted items from your home or business premises.

The Garden Fence Disposal Guide

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Quick Wasters

It is good to refurbish your garden every now and then, but how do you dispose of the waste that you build up during the process?

Garden refurbishment does not just include maintaining a lawn or plants. There are other things that may need attending to which could be paving, driveways or garden fences. This will produce some waste that will not be able to go in your normal weekly collection bin.

Garden tasks that will produce green waste will be cutting back bushes and trees, cutting grass or soil which can all be recycled or reused in some way.

If you are having a fence repair, you will need to know what to do with the old wood. Here are five quick tips of what to do and what not to do with the old fence panels.

1. Dont break it up and throw it in the bin as you local council will not accept this and it will not be taken away.

2. Try to be creative and use the wood for something else in th garden or around the house if it is not too damaged. You can get some ideas here.

3. Do not burn the wood as this can be dangerous. Apart from annoying your neighbour, the wood may be treated with chemicals and release toxins in the air

4. Contact your local council to see if they provide a recycling service. They may be able to advise where you can take your items for safe disposal. You will need transport for this thouh

5. Lastly, you can hire a local and reputable rubbish collection service to come and take away your unwanted items so you know that you waste will be dealt with in a safe, law abiding and ethical way.

7 Tips For Residents In London To Keep Their Gardens Clean And Tidy During Summer 2017

Posted on June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 by Quick Wasters

Gardening is an ever evolving skill that has to keep changing depending on the season. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of your garden as the sunny weather provides the ideal conditions for flowers to bloom. In London, the warm conditions are for keeping your garden at its best by ensuring your plants get enough nutrients to sustain them during winter. While you are enjoying the summer holidays, here are 7 tips for keeping gardens clean and tidy during summer;

Water the plants frequently; the hot conditions can make the plants to loose moisture at a faster pace. Without adequate water, your garden will wilt. Try to water it early morning and in the evening to make sure all the plants have sufficient water.

Remove shade; long trees and fences can block the sun from reaching the plants which are closer to the ground. Create shade strategically in places you don’t want too much sunlight. Trim off any extra leaves as well as overgrown climbers to provide more sun penetration.

Watch out for insects and pests; the warm conditions provide the ideal environment for pests and diseases to attack your garden. Inspect your garden frequently. As soon as you spot one apply a chemical free product. Get rid of any wood or sticks to remove any hideouts for insects.

Add minerals and nutrients; use the sunny conditions to inspect any plants that might not be growing properly due to mineral and nutrient deficiencies. Add natural manure or a soluble fertilizer around unhealthy plants.

Retain moisture; even if you water your plants frequently when you don’t keep moisture in the soil, your plant will wither. The trick to retaining moisture is to add on the soil a loose layer of mulch which can consist of decaying plants, leaves and barks. By adding organic material, you will promote the gardens’ natural look, add nutrients and prevent moisture loss.

Take care of plants in pots; while some pot plants do not require direct sunlight to grow, during summer you can give them a boost of energy by facing the pots towards the sun.

Remove weeds; you don’t want your weeds and growing plants to compete for nutrients and moisture. Remove all weeds and rake dry twigs, leaves and trim the edges of your lawn. By keeping your garden clean and healthy, you will attract birds and butterflies which promote blooming.

Take a positive and comprehensive approach to keeping your garden healthy, clean and beautiful during summer.

Top tips for improving your recycling at home

Posted on May 10, 2017May 10, 2017 by Quick Wasters

You can recycle almost anything, from furniture and clothing to food scraps.

You can make such a significant difference to recycling at home. Recycling is simple and requires a small effort if you create a system within your home. Whether it is using a bag, box or a bin. You should keep this next to your rubbish bin to remind everyone in the house hold to recycle, making it an easier process.
Here are some great simplest tips for improving recycling at home, as one slight change can make a difference.

Flatten your cardboard boxes when you put them in the recycling, this will ensure everything fits in your bin neatly.
All plastic bottles can be recycled so put them all in your recycling bin. In most boroughs, you can also recycle all your plastic bottles, tubs and pots.
You can recycle your envelopes, wrapping paper, birthday cards and even phone books as well as newspapers. All types of cardboard can be recycled.
Most metallic items are also recyclable, you can also recycle, kitchen foil and empty aerosols.
Keep a bag or a space in a cupboard in the kitchen for storing the recycling as you go. It also makes it easy to take things to the recycling bins that way.
On your way to a supermarket or work, stop off at the recycling point and drop your recycling. This allows you fit recycling into a routine, and your family can also learn about recycling too this way too.

What To Expect By Handing Over House Clearance To A Professional Company

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Quick Wasters

There are a number of benefits to be realized from handing house clearance activities to a house professional service provider. It’s beyond any doubt that the number of benefits a professional company can offer area major consideration when customers making in their choice of house clearance service provider. The benefits that that you can expect from a professional house clearance service provider include but are not limited to;

Professional equipment and procedures in handling bulky and heavy junk.

The house clearance crews from professional house clearance service providers come prepared with the right tools and equipment for particularly handling heavy and bulky junk that you might want to get rid of.
The possession of such equipment is crucial especially in jobs on high-rise apartment buildings and houses with multiple floors. This equipment includes winches, specialized saws, heavy duty nylon ropes, cranes and so forth.
Alongside the equipment, crew members often have certified training in the clearance of such junk.
You can therefore expect that a professional company will be able to competently, expediently and efficiently handle house clearance tasks involving such items as old fridges, heavy tables, heavy couches, non-functioning boilers and even heavy car related junk.

Use of appropriate safety equipment and protocols in the handling and disposal of potentially hazardous household water.

There are number of hazardous waste categories into which a number of items that make up household waste can be put.
The danger posed by these items is not so much an immediate risk to the individual but tend to have a detrimental effect on the environment when they are incorrectly disposed.
For examples heating and ventilation equipment such as non-functioning air conditioners contain liquid chemicals that when released into the environment, increase the risk of skin cancer among human beings.
Among some of the items that pose a hazard to the environment include asbestos tiling and insulation, fluorescent light fixtures, old refrigerators, old contemporary design TV units monitors, various electronic junk and so forth.
The crews of professional house clearance companies come equipped with proper safety equipment to minimize the threat that various chemical agents might pose, are trained in the necessary protocols to be used in the handling and disposal of hazardous house clearance waste.

Conclusion;

All in all, professional house clearance service providers aim to provide efficient and fast service; which is not only reliable but also convenient to you, the client. And that’s what we at Quick Wasters does in London every day.

Different ways how to up-cycle furniture

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Quick Wasters

There comes a time when furniture outlives its lifespan and becomes fit for disposal. At such times, a home owner has 3 options; to upcycle it, recycle it, or dispose of it as junk. While recycling is a term most of us are used to, it is upcycling that’s truly the amazing option. Just when you thought the furniture pieces had outlived their usefulness, you come up with creative, crafty ways of revamping it! Whether by repainting the pieces afresh to inject a vintage feel, or fitting them with upholstery to give them a completely new look, upcycling never disappoints.

First and foremost, you’ll need to be very sure of the furniture that you wish to upcycle. Much as upcycling is recommendable, you have to be realistic on pieces that are beyond repair. Thus, decide on what you proceed ahead with, and devise a plan to upcycle it.
Take for instance drawers. If you have a chest of drawers that you wish to upcycle, you’ll have the option of repainting them with carefully thought colors to bring out the theme you wish. Often, an ebony-mahogany like shade works magic in bringing out a vintage feel in most furniture.
While at it, try and concentrate most on the parts that would be easily noticeable, so as to conceal them. For instance, arms rest in a seat tend to get worn out faster. Similarly, the legs tend to get worn out from around the area touching the ground. To conceal such, get the correct varnish and apply a thick coat, before opting for a color or shade of your preference.
You can sand the furniture before applying any emulsion paints you have; however, this option isn’t so recommendable for old furniture that doesn’t need to be scrubbed off anymore. Like aforementioned, applying a coat of varnish and waxing are always more recommendable and equally effective.
In scenarios where you’re looking to buy second hand or old furniture with intent to upcycle it, you’ll need to excise maximum caution. Speak to your local dealer and find out as many details as possible about the furniture. Has the owner tried to upcycle it previously? Are there any repairs that may wreak havoc in the near future? Such questions will help you get value for your money, and also come up with the appropriate upcycling option to proceed ahead with.

Upcycling is fun and helps you give your home or office a new look at minimal cost.

the previous article can be found here- What You Should Not Do With Your Rubbish

Rubish Removal For a Care Home

Posted on March 17, 2017March 17, 2017 by Quick Wasters

Quickwasters produce a range of services that serve the whole of London from general households to business premises and building sites.

Rubbish can build up at a fast rate especially if you are having some decorating work done in the home or a garden renovation. This waste will need this taken away to avoid a mess and the possibility of causing an obstruction. That’s why it is rational to hire a professional company which will help you to get rid of all the things that you don not need.

It is important that your waste is dealt with in a responsible manner that is environmentally friendly. We aim to recycle as much as we possibly can or if things can be reused all the better. By recycling as much as possible, it will help the environment and this will save using landfill sites which are filling up quickly. This is a big problem as there are more people than ever on this planet, and if we keep producing this much of a waste we will soon me cover in it.

One of the recent jobs that we completed this week was at a care home to help the staff clear their unwanted items such a bulky furniture and general waste due to refurbishment. This was dealt with quickly and efficiently by us leaving a clean tidy space so that their new furnishing can be brought in.

We have the staff and equipment to deal with any job and none is too large.

Find Out the Benefits of Using A Rubbish Removal Company

Posted on November 28, 2015December 28, 2016 by Quick Wasters

Everyone loves to live and work in a clean and tidy environment. Whether at home, in the office, or wherever, we all want to be around an area that is tidy and cleaned up. More often than not, most of us prefer to clean up the places we find ourselves in; from mopping the floor, getting rid of rubbish and junk, and so on so forth. However, there are times we’ll find ourselves too busy to do regular garbage removal, or find ourselves faced with a lot of junk. At such moments, the services of a rubbish removal company come in handy. There are numerous benefits of hiring these services;

Convenience; hiring these services is convenient in the long term because the rubbish removal companies will do all the work, while you concentrate doing other tasks. Whether it’s on a weekend, a public holiday, at night, you name it; rubbish removal companies are always flexible.
Cost effective; if you look at it keenly, hiring the services of a rubbish removal company is cheap in the long run. Instead of struggling to collect all the garbage yourself, and disposing of it wrongly, or end up getting diseases and inviting pests that thrive in unhygienic places, having a company do it for you saves you all of these. Really, no monetary value is equivalent to the good health of yourself and those around you.
Expertise; some of the rubbish and junk around you is toxic, and needs proper disposal. Rubbish removal companies are experts in this kind of work, their collection team knows how to dispose of all harmful materials.
Recycling; it is not enough to know what can be recycled out of the rubbish; you must know where to take it for recycling! These collection companies will sort all garbage, and whatever needs to be recycled is transported for recycling immediately.
Extra services; another good thing about hiring rubbish collection services is that they come with extra services. For instance if you have a garden, most garbage collection companies will offer garden clearance services. This may include trimming of hedges and collecting any junk that may be around the garden. The same branches trimmed from your hedges, can be converted into manure for your garden.