It’s no secret that the world is full of rubbish. With the population soaring at an alarming rate, so too is the amount of waste that litters the streets. Failure to dispose of waste in a proper manner can cause damage to the already deteriorating state of the planet. With some of the major cities in the world taking a lax attitude to waste management, the UK is trying its best to control waste disposal.
The dumping of rubbish into landfill is not just an eyesore – it is harmful for the planet, as it emits leachate, a liquid that is extremely harmful. Given that simply dumping waste into derelict parts of the world is unsustainable, the UK government has set out guidelines about waste disposal, in order to reduce the amount of waste that is disposed of incorrectly.
The guidelines outline how businesses must dispose of commercial waste, as well as support households in domestic waste disposal.
While recycling has been happening for centuries, it has received a lot of support in the last two decades, with almost every British home having a recycling box. Despite this, 55% of local waste is sent to landfill sites, which is problematic. Waste management is therefore a huge industry, with the annual turnover reaching an astronomical £9bn per annum.
The UK places its focus on designing and developing low carbon solutions to waste management. The aim is to develop a solution that will in turn aid other countries (i.e. India) in reducing their carbon emissions.
Prior to the surge in recycling, most waste was placed in landfills. However, the government has aims to reduce this, with the goal being to reduce landfill municipal waste by 65% of 1995 levels by 2020.
Another aim is to ensure that 50% of all household waste is either recycled, reused or composted. However, it’s estimated that to meet these targets will cost around £8bn – money that the UK is sorely lacking.
Given that so much is needed to be done in order to dispose of this waste, there is a huge market for waste management and waste disposal services in Britain.
Companies who can provide waste disposal solutions that are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly are in high-demand, so the industry is hugely profitable.