The Carbon Factor: How to think differently about your recycling and waste footprint

Whether you believe that the recent heatwaves and droughts across the UK and Europe are a result of man-made global warming, or are a natural heating cycle of the planet, the conversation about carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction is on everyone’s lips. Organisations are looking for thoughtful and innovative ways to reduce the impact they have.

Considering how recycling and waste is transported and handled is the main way that waste management can influence carbon reduction schemes.

Prevention is the zenith; purchasing fewer new products reduces resources taken from nature and generates less GHG emissions. Over 40% of GHG emissions come from production, transportation, and disposal of these objects. Going paperless is an ideal example of this.

Minimising unavoidable waste, and sending items, such as serviceable furniture, for reuse via charitable organisations also rank highly in the waste hierarchy.

Recycling can quickly make an impact on the environment; an example is that paper and cardboard have become valuable commodities. Recycling has the impact of fewer trees being felled and more CO₂ being extracted from the atmosphere. It’s a win-win! To give this context, a business with 100 employees recycling paper for one year is equivalent to taking 5 cars off the road for a year.

What can you do?

• Prevention: where can you change methods to use less energy / reduce emissions?
• Minimisation: What waste can be used minimally if it can’t be eradicated?
• Reuse: What can you send into the circular economy to be used elsewhere?
• Recycling: How can you increase the types of waste you recycle?

Conclusion

Calculating your carbon footprint in relation to recycling and waste can be complex but with some creative thinking and innovative methods organisations can make simple changes to make an impact. And, if every organisation applied them, imagine the improvement we can make!

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