The waste hierarchy concept stands as a beacon guiding responsible waste disposal practices in the waste management world. With our Re-Used Shop, Complete Waste Management, Skip Hire and Euro Bin Hire services, A.R. Richards Ltd exemplifies this hierarchy with a commitment to Prevent, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover, and Dispose.
One shining example of this commitment is our Re-Use Shop, where good condition items are rescued from waste, preventing them from ending up in landfills. We salvage stock from warehouse clearances and, on the odd occasion, find items in perfect condition that have just been thrown away! We’ve got everything from sporting gear to arts and crafts, office furniture, and branded end-of-line home products! And we sell it at a fraction of retail prices!
Understanding the Waste Hierarchy
A.R. Richards Waste Hierarchy
Prevent: The first step is to prevent waste generation whenever possible. This means considering whether materials are necessary in the first place. A.R. Richards encourages businesses to explore ways to minimise waste production. For example, some major retail stores have reduced their plastic wrap over the last year—Sainsbury’s mince meat being the most known!
Reduce: Can the amount of material used be reduced without compromising quality?
Depending on the product being created, all rules and regulations around health and safety must be kept up to date. You wouldn’t cut corners while building an aircraft or car, so don’t cut corners with smaller products either. One example is to avoid single-use plastics where possible.
Re-use: Items that can’t be prevented or reduced should be considered for re-use. This is where the Re-Use Shop at A.R. Richards shines. Items that might have been discarded are given a new lease on life and sold at a fraction of the cost, reducing the need to recycle them and benefitting the public, businesses and the environment. If you have any products you cannot shift, consider contacting us to take the end-of-line products off your hands! Profits gained from this shop are given to local clubs and one of the many charities we work with. So, make sure to pop in and have a look around – get in touch with our team on their Facebook page!
A.R. Richards Ltd Re-Used Shop
Recycle: Recycling is a well-known method of diverting waste from landfills. A.R. Richards promotes recycling practices, making it easier for businesses to separate recyclables with their Euro Bin Hire services. Especially with the new Welsh Government’s Workplace Recycling Regulations mandate, we are here to help businesses going through that change and give support where necessary.
Recover: Some materials might not be suitable for recycling but can still be used to recover energy through processes like incineration. A.R. Richards ensures that even waste that can’t be recycled is managed responsibly. Whether we use anaerobic digestion, incineration, or one of the many other recycling methods, we’ll always handle everything safely and take the environment into consideration.
Dispose: Waste that cannot be recovered or recycled is disposed of properly as a last resort. A.R. Richards strives to hit over 95% diverted from landfill, with recent months hitting 98%.
Legal Responsibilities and Benefits
Businesses are legally obligated to adhere to waste management regulations. A.R. Richards helps navigate these requirements, ensuring that waste is managed in accordance with the law. By applying the waste hierarchy, businesses not only fulfil their legal obligations but also save money through efficient waste practices.
As explained in our previous blog, the Welsh Government’s Workplace Recycling Regulations mandate the segregation of waste into specific streams. A.R. Richards supports businesses in meeting these requirements, offering solutions tailored to each core waste stream, from food waste to textiles and electronics.
Economic and Social Implications
While adjusting to new regulations might have initial costs, the long-term benefits are substantial. Businesses can save money by reducing waste disposal costs and improving their environmental footprint. Additionally, embracing recycling aligns with consumer expectations, enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty.
A.R. Richards Ltd – What we can do!
Our Euro Bin Hire & Skip Hire department service is a strategic solution for businesses looking to comply with the new regulations established by the Welsh and British governments. By providing tailored bins for specific waste streams, businesses can efficiently segregate their waste, contributing to a more sustainable future while avoiding fines for non-compliance.
The Skip Hire department can also help with domestic and commercial enquiries. We’ll also request that the skip be used for a specific waste stream so that we can safely and securely split and divert the waste to the required finish upon collection.
Our Complete Waste Management department can offer advice and a number of services to meet your business’s needs. Our team is committed to helping you find your business’s most suitable waste management solution. We provide a variety of services, such as weekly or bi-weekly collections, one-off collections, and management of multiple waste streams across different sites. Our state-of-the-art equipment and processes ensure that your waste is disposed of safely and responsibly.
A.R. Richards Ltd is not just a waste disposal service; it’s a sustainability partner. We empower businesses to embrace responsible waste management through our adherence to the waste hierarchy and innovative solutions like the Re-Use Shop. In a world where environmental consciousness is paramount, we will try and do our best to show that waste can be managed efficiently and sustainably for the benefit of all.
Give us a call or drop us an email today to see how we can help!
