Passivhaus Can Give you Freedom from Bills

With energy bills rising year on year the prospect of living in a house that has none is appealing.   In 2014 the average electricity and gas bill cost came to £1,344 annually.  This is a considerable amount.  Just think what you could do with an extra £1300 a year. 

Ingenious Ways the World’s Poorest People Generate Electric Light

Watch any news channel and it is easy to lose faith in humanity.  The news is often filled with stories that are shocking, horrible, and confusing.  Often leaving us with no sense as to what is going on.

Utilise Better Waste Collection Services

Regardless of the type of organisation you work for, it can benefit from better waste management.  As you read this post, organisations and charities are working hard to promote the circular economy and zero waste among businesses.  This idea that everything can be reused and resources harvested in an environmentally conscientious way is growing both in popularity and practicality. 

New State of the Art Glass Recycling Plant Unveiled in Scotland

It is hard not to think about Scotland without thinking about whiskey.  It is something that is arguably in the blood of the Scots.  Something they are passionate about, and who could blame them given the worldwide success of their whiskey brands.

Good Waste Management Practices cut Costs and Generate Revenue

All businesses regardless of size generate waste.  It is possible that much of this waste can be sold to waste collectors.  These are businesses which recycle waste ranging from common items such as glass and cans, to obscure electronics and metals. 

The fact is that when we travel we tend to create a larger carbon footprint than when at home.  We often have a holiday vibe when we’re abroad, and this makes us a little more carefree.  This is taking its toll on the planet, as everywhere from beaches to ski slopes are beginning to suffer. 

A Golden Opportunity for Recycling?

The Resource Association has given a glowing and optimistic view in response to new European Union recycling consultation document.  The document outlined new proposals that are currently under discussion by the EU.  This post takes a look at what they are, and the likelihood of how far the EU will go in relation to overhauling Europe wide recycling.

The Benefits of Recycling your Business Waste

Having a sustainability policy not only ensures you become part of the circular economy, but it also brings hidden benefits to your business.  In the UK there are dedicated organisations to improving and expanding recycling in the business sector.  (See our article: THE TOP TEN ORGANISATIONS ALL UK WASTE COMPANIES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT). 

 Actress, mother, and business woman Jessica Alba could become Silicon Valley’s richest woman if the sale of her company, Honest Company, goes through.

Do you work in Design?

Not many of us dispute climate change, or the need to reduce our waste to a minimum.  Just as importantly, a commitment to the circular economy has proven cost savings.  In this post we look at practical steps you can take to help your business join the circular economy.

The Business Benefits of Contributing to the Circular Economy

The circular economy is a model based on six principles.  The idea is that human actions and consumption do not damage the planet.  This post will show you how your business fits into and can contribute to the circular economy and the benefits of doing so.

Landfills pose a major problem for climate change around the world.  They release methane, a greenhouse gas.  In most developed world countries, 50% of landfill gas is methane, and this contributes significantly to climate change.  Although recycling schemes have been introduced, the issue of methane gas is still a problem to be solved.

Green Alliance Believes that Reused Products Could Slash Unemployment

Unemployment and the environment are never far from the news.  Whether it is a television documentary or an article in the press, both topics seem to draw us in.  It is with some interest then that the Green Alliance believes that an EU-wide circular economy could bring down unemployment and lower household bills.  In this post, we look at how their ideas are formed.

Make Money from your Business Waste

With the increase in waste couriers comes an opportunity to sell your business waste.  The process is fairly straight forward; you separate sellable waste from your normal rubbish, and then find a company who wants to buy it.  In this post we explore how the Green Alchemist app helps you accomplish this goal providing you with an additional revenue stream.

New £3.8m Food Waste Facility will Power Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal

It is fair to say that we have all been waiting for a flight, bus, or train, and have left food to board it at some point in our lives.  You have probably felt guilty as you threw away a half eaten sandwich or a coffee knowing that it was going to landfill. 

Waste like other commodities has fluctuating prices.  Therefore, to make your waste as profitable as possible it is important to track the price on at least a monthly basis.  This not only ensures you can keep tabs on your waste partner prices with accuracy, but it also means you get fewer surprises when you are offered less for your waste than you were the previous month.

The Organisations that help UK Waste Companies

Although UK waste companies are often bogged down in legislation and complex operating procedures, there are several companies that can help make running the business that little bit easier.  In this post we countdown the top ten waste management organisations that should be on speed dial or at the very least be in your email address book.

Clothing manufacturers are not known for having responsible manufacturing processes or sustainability practices.  This was more than highlighted in 2013 when over a thousand people died when the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh.  Timberland, however, is the exception to the rule.  The company has been taking action against climate change since 2003.

Take Inspiration from Fashion Recycling Week to Commoditise your Waste

Later this month, retailer H&M and the London College of Fashion are poised to launch ‘Fashion Recycling Week’.  The event runs from the 31^st August to 6^th September.  The idea is that fashion students will create window installations using clothes that have been collected from the public as part of H&M’s garment collecting initiative.  The initiative was established to reduce waste in the fashion industry by repurposing unwanted clothes.

Business recycling might seem like just another outgoing when you are considering the most cost effective management scheme for implementing your business plan. However, whatever business you’re in – whether you operate a childminding or dog walking service from home, are a mobile food trader or mechanic or have your own office, factory or workshop premises – you are legally responsible for disposing of any waste your business produces.

Last month the documentary CenaRIO Sustentabilidade em Ação which translate to ScenaRIO Sustainability in Action, premiered in Rio.  The film was made by 30 students, shooting the footage on smartphones.  It was made and released as part of the Rio+20 World Centre for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the National Insurance School (ENS) initiatives.

Packaging Recovery Notes and how they work

Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) are the legal proof that you have disposed of your packaging waste in compliance with current regulations.  This post will provide you with an overview of how the system works.

However efficient your operations are business waste is an unavoidable by product of any activity. This could comprise anything from paper and plastic packaging to metals and batteries, or furniture or technology that has been upgraded. Whatever your business, what is waste to you will very likely have value to someone else.

The ingenious office building designs that are making business greener and more sustainable

If we look at the evolution of office building design, it is easy to see how architects are adding greener and sustainable elements to their creations.  Depending on where you live in the world, you have probably noticed an increase in the use of solar panels and wind farms for commercial spaces.  There are other less obvious ways, that office buildings are becoming greener and more sustainable.

Pubs / Clubs are you throwing away Money?

In an age where recycling is important, waste is becoming a commodity.  New businesses are springing up every day which buy and sell business waste.  Glass, paper, plastics, and a whole myriad of materials we regularly throw away could be used to bring in a second income. The bottom line is that if you’re not selling your business waste to a waste collector, you are probably throwing away cash.  This article explains the nuts and bolts of selling your waste for a profit.

Sell your Business Waste and comply with Legislation

Business waste is becoming a valuable commodity.  Providing you have the right connections you can make money through selling your business waste to the right people.  In this post, I discuss how you can sell your waste for recycling; discussing the importance of sorting your company waste, and how to contact the right people who may be interested in buying the waste your business produces.

Lessons from the £0.05 Plastic Carrier Bag Charge 

In October 2015 the UK Government brought England into line with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland by introducing a carrier bag charge.  From that point, any retailer that employed over 250 people had to charge their customers £0.05 for every bag they used.  For smaller retailers it was optional.

Universities, are you throwing away Cash?

Every year the UK recycles about eight million tonnes of paper and cardboard.  Although this figure is high this only represents 67% of the amount of paper waste we throw away.  For plastics, we produce 5 million tonnes of plastic a year, but we recycle a lot less although this figure is improving all the time.  The purpose of this article is to show how you can turn your business waste into a valuable and profitable commodity.

Be sure your Business dealings with Waste Collectors Comply with Legislation

If your business is ready to start recycling its business waste and you feel you have the facilities to do so, you will no doubt be thinking about contacting waste collectors, who can collect and hopefully buy your waste.  This post looks at the business checks you should have in place and key questions to ask any waste collection agency you contract to pick up your recyclable materials.