Waste management

The management and disposal of waste products is perhaps one of the most significant environmental concerns for industrial enterprises. All marine companies produce some form of waste, for example; waste paper from offices, waste gases, solvents and residues from the use of chemicals, or trade effluent from the manufacturing process. Directives from Europe such as the Landfill Directive are seeking to reduce the amount of waste disposed of to landfill and encourage waste producers to reduce their waste, reuse or recover so waste is moved up the hierarchy.

Waste hierarchy:
Waste minimisation (preferred option) v Reuse v Materials recycling v Recovery (energy from waste) v Disposal by landfill or incineration (least desirable option)

The quantities and types of waste produced will be dependent on the activity and operations of a particular company. Remember that good waste management practices are a key part of overall good management within your company and can often save you money.

Waste hierarchy

 

 

Reduction

Waste reduction and minimisation at source is high up in the waste hierarchy as it avoids waste in the first instance. Reduction in the amount of waste can be achieved through:

• Use of alternative raw materials
• Modifications to processes and plant
• Improved working procedures and housekeeping measures

Redesign of products

Waste Minimisation is about reducing the environmental impacts of waste by reducing the volumes that need to be treated or disposed of. The reduction of waste at source is Waste Minimisation in its purest form and can offer opportunities to save money.

Benefits of waste minimisation

The benefits of waste minimisation are clear and simple:

Cost savings

Production costs can be reduced through improved resource efficiency. These savings add directly to the bottom line and can account for an extra % of profit

Compliance

A proactive approach ensures that the company minimises the possibility of litigation and can anticipate requirements of new legislation

Risk reduction

Control and reduction of risks and liabilities not only reduce the likelihood of fines and bad publicity but can also boost investor confidence

Market positioning

Eco-friendly products can give supply chain confidence and improve customer relations

Reuse

Reuse provides similar cost savings to waste reduction as fewer materials are being used, and in particular less waste is being produced. Waste going to landfill is also temporarily reduced. Reusing waste comes in two forms:

• Conventional reuse: which is the repetitive use of the same item,
• Or new life reuse, which involves using an item for a different use to which it was originally intended.

New life reuse is uncommon as it is difficult to find new uses for old items but it does offer a valuable opportunity for members to manage their waste in an innovative manner. A classic example of conventional re-use is glass milk bottles, which are used, then collected and washed many times (on average 20 times), thus saving money on raw material.

Closed loop schemes can be an effective means of reusing waste. These mainly work where goods are regularly delivered from a central facility to various outlets. Goods are delivered in re-useable containers such as pallets or plastic crates. The containers are then unloaded and returned with the delivery van back to the store either on the same or on another trip. This closed loop scheme saves materials and money, as fewer containers are required due to re-use. It also entails next to no extra cost in vehicle expenses.

When attempting reuse in the work place attention can be paid to the following areas:

• Packaging.
• Transport packaging.
• Recovery of components.
• Post-consumer reuse (recovering used items for future use e.g. glass bottles).
• Reuse of any waste item for a new purpose.
• Product design (Design a reusable product e.g. refillable products).

Recycling

Recycling is one of the key ways to reduce the amount of waste disposed at landfill. To respond to the ever growing need for more recycling and less landfill use it is essential that all parts of society contribute. As a waste generating business and a facility for the public the marine industry must be proactive and the need for recycling and waste handling element in yacht marinas in particular is not merely due to practicality but also because of regulatory requirements and public perceptions. From a business perspective, waste is going to become more expensive to dispose so introducing such schemes will make economic sense in the long term.

The table below lists the types of waste that can be recycled.

Waste types that should be recycled

Type	Note
Batteries	Need to be put in a covered area where no acid can escape
Bottles (glass)	Do not place bottle storage in an area that drains to surface water drains. Consult the relevant authority regarding drainage to foul sewer
Plastics	Some plastics are more difficult than others to recycle. Check with the waste management company what can and can’t be recycled
Cardboard & Paper	Should be stored under cover and boxes flattened to reduce volume
Ferrous & Metal	Store different types of metal separately as values between metals can vary
Oil	Tanks should be bunded and covered to prevent water ingress
Oil Filters	Should be with waste oil in bund
Food	Non meat food waste can be composted

• Companies should endeavour to install waste facilities that encourage recycling and appropriate disposal
• Notices should outline the benefits of recycling as well as give directions to the facilities which should be easy to access as recycling will be more effective if it is easy to do
• Containers for the different types of materials should be clearly labelled throughout the site
• Waste recycling facilities should be secured at night and emptied frequently by an authorised waste contractor to prevent over spilling and to ensure that there is always capacity for people to use them

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains hazardous properties that may render it harmful to human health or the Environment. Any waste could be harmful if it is managed badly or disposed of illegally. However, these risks are very small when hazardous waste is managed properly. The list below shows the type of waste produced by marine industries which is classed as hazardous.

Waste oils	Solvents e.g. acetone, anti-freeze
Acids	Oil filters, oily rags and oily containers
Flares	Residues of paints, resins, solvents. hardened products eg. fiberglass
Batteries and battery Acid	Fluorescent tubes
Alkalines	Paints and varnishes including used paint pots, brushes and rollers
Zinc anodes	Aerosols
Tar	Antifouling and paint residues

Click here for more information about disposal of hazardous waste.