MITIE Little Guide to Waste Outsourcing

The little guideto wasteoutsourcingMITIE1 Harlequin Office ParkFieldfareBristolBS16 7FNT: 0844 800 2714E: waste@mitie.comwww.mitie.com

Contents01 Foreword02 The world of waste management04 Welcome to MITIE08 Why outsourcing?10 What ‘good’ looks like13 Drivers of change14 Sustainability - it’s good for business16 Reducing your compliance risk18 Your duty of care20 Knowing the risk31 Waste streams32 The hunt for general waste34 Waste stream trump cards45 Recovery and disposal46 Why Zero Waste?48 The waste hierarchy in practice50 Recycling52 Commercial composting54 Anaerobic digestion56 Gasification and pyrolysis58 Landfill61 Thought leadership62 Controlling the cost of waste disposal64 What really comes out of your office?66 To compact or not to compact?68 Reduce, reuse, recycle - a change of focus is overdue71 Glossary and Contacts72 Glossary78 Contact usForewordWhen MITIE first started totrade over twenty years ago,waste disposal was part of thegeneral outsourcing offering,with the odd recycling reportand of course the mandatorywaste transfer note.Looking back, there is a certain fondness felt at the sheer focus onservice and value, which gave the relationship between MITIE andour clients an impression of simplicity .Nowadays, in an effort to achieve a greener and cleaner future,organisations are subject to legislative, ethical, financial and qualityrelated variables that have turned the function of waste disposal intoan industry with a lot of complexities.For MITIE, managing this complicated network for our clients meanswe now employ over 80 waste management professionals, with adiverse range of expertise, who work as one to provide you with asingle sustainable partner.With this book, our desire is to offer some clarity on sustainable wastemanagement as you seek environmental and financial surety.We hope that this guide supports you in developing yourorganisation’s waste strategies and offers a point of reference toachieve environmental sustainability.Martyn Freeman, Managing Director, MITIE Facilities Management

The world of waste management55.8m tonnesCommercial and industrial waste“We need a new approachto waste; one which worksfor the new economy”Caroline Spelman, Secretary of StateEuropeanDirectives9 Zero650 Treatmenttechnologiesover3,000UK contractors533%*Landfill tax rising by* Landfill tax rise calculated from 2004 to 2014; from £15 to £80 per tonne120 wasteDifferentcontainersWaste853Classifiedwaste streams

Welcome to MITIEa sustainable businessWe specialise in wasteoutsourcing.And we like to thinkwe’re the best.We work in close partnershipwith each client to provideeverythingfrom strategic consultancyto sustainable wastemanagement.In simple terms,we think,we manage andwe deliver on your behalf.The value of being more sustainableis in gaining public trust.A mature waste ethos will go a long wayin building your sustainability credentialswith your stakeholders.The existing perception ofsustainable waste managementstops at maximum recyclingand waste to energy initiatives.We have the resources and capability to go beyondall existing expectations and actually achieveZero Waste.

Welcome to MITIEyour benefitsCredibility and reputationThe value of being more sustainable results in an increase in trust fromthe public. This in turn fosters loyalty and improves brand image.Waste sustainabilityBeing sustainable is not asstraightforward as it appears.Sustainability requires longterm thinking. Half of Britishorganisations recognise thatsustainable growth is critical totheir continued success. Wastesustainability looks at materialefficiency and how it affectsthe day to day operations.Achieving Zero Waste is thecritical objective for anysustainable business.Collaborative partnershipThe sustainability approachrequires investment intotechnologies and expertise,alongside detailed knowledgeof waste management.Outsourcing enables acollaborative partnershipwith access to expertsin sustainable wastemanagement, deliveringfresh thinking and new ideas,making your organisationmore innovative and efficient.Sustainability also affects recruitment and staff retention, as morepeople look at an organisation’s sustainability credentials beforejoining.EfficiencyA sustainable waste strategy looksat ways to minimise waste andcreates efficiency savings acrossthe organisation and its supplychain. Zero Waste is the ultimateefficiency status.Cost control and risk reductionBy pro-actively managing yourwaste streams, you gain control ofassociated costs. You also lowerthe risks that originate from a lackof knowledge of the legislation.

Why outsourcing?General waste service A recycling service Waste-to-energy A sustainabilitystrategyComprehensivewaste best practiceStrategic outsourcingIn the past, thedisposal of waste waslightly regulated, withorganisations havinglittle awareness of theirown effects on theenvironment. Typically,nearly all waste streamswould be disposed ofas general waste andNowadays, general wasteis the residual waste that isnot recycled.The start of thesustainability journey startshere. Most organisationshave put in place ascheme to recycle themost common wastestreams, like paper,plastics or food waste.value (CV) of some ofits components, generalwaste can be partlyto provide fuel forwaste-to-energy plants.This can also be true ofsome recycling streamswith high CV (paper,plastics…).Sustainability is goodfor business so mostorganisations havenow published theirsustainability strategy,as part of their corporateresponsibility.Waste may or maynot play a key partin demonstratingthe organisation’ssustainable objectives.Best practice aims togenerate Zero Wastewhen possible and divertall residual waste streamsIt works by applyingThe 3 R’s (Reduce ReuseRecycle) at all levels inthe organisation and withits supply chain partners.Best practice is reportedthrough a comprehensiveenvironmental informationmanagement system.Access to leadingindependent expertsin sustainable wastemanagement enablesthe design and theimplementation of asuccessful strategy toachieve environmentalbest practice, now and foryears to come.MITIE works with a range of clients from all sectors all at different stages in their sustainability journeyTraditional 20th Centurywaste procurement strategy21st Century strategicenvironmental outsourcing

What ‘good’ looks likeWastesustainabilityFinancialgovernanceSustainabilityIndustrybest practiseInnovativethinkingIndustryleadingexpertsCost controlCredibility& reputationClientMITIEBenefitsResourceefficiencyRiskSustainablewastemanagementSustainabilityreportingEfficiencyCollaborativepartnershipSupply chainmanagementRisk reduction

SustainIT givesyou online access tomanagement information24/7.Drivers for change“Can you affordnot to think aboutsustainability?”This means you can getyour waste data at a timethat suits you.Drivers for change14 Sustainability - It’s good for business16 Reducing your compliance risk18 Your duty of care20 Knowing the risk

014 Drivers for changeSustainability:it’s good for businessThe move towards sustainability goes back as far as the 1950s,with the introduction of the Clean Air Act 1956, but our collectiveenvironmental consciousness really began to emerge in the 1970s,as this was the decade Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth startedspringing up world wide.In the 1980s, there was a significant gap between what the publicexpected of business and what business was actually doing in termsof the environment and green claims were more often than not, just‘green wash’, as products didn’t follow through on the environmentalbenefits or meet customer expectations.Since then, many businesses have made significant improvementstowards more sustainable business practices. More and morebusinesses are making significant investments to make theirbusiness operations more sustainable and are formally reportingand publishing the steps they’re taking and the progress they’vemade.What is sustainability?Richard Ellis defines sustainability as “organisations doing the ‘right’thing throughout their operations for consumers and employees.”For many businesses, it’s about the 3 Ps – People, Planet and Profit- also known as “Triple Bottom Line”. The 3Ps are an expandedspectrum of values and criteria for measuring organisationalsuccess.The concept demands that a business’ responsibility lies with itsstakeholders (anyone that is influenced either directly or indirectlyby its actions), rather than its shareholders.015 Drivers for changeWhy is this good for business?The connection betweensustainability and businesssuccess has long beenresearched and reported on. Arecent study showed that halfof all British businesses believethat improving their sustainabilitycredentials and actions is criticalto their continued success.This area of focus has stronglinks with a company’s costprofile due to the connectionwith resource use, wastemanagement costs andregulatory compliance.Hewlett Packard has shown thata strategic approach to businesssustainability does havea significant and positive impacton environmental performance.Between 2008 and 2009, theirenergy consumption went downby 9%, they recovered 112,000tonnes of electronic productsand they purchased 131 millionKwH of renewable energy (seeHP’s Global Citizenship Report2009).This leads to operationalefficiency, reduced costs,increased revenue, accessto capital, more effective riskmanagement- all of whichincreases shareholder value.The real question is canyou afford not to thinkabout sustainability?

016 Drivers for changeReducing your compliance riskEnvironmental legislation is complex and constantlyevolving, with national and European laws affectingthe way in which organisations operate.In recent years, fiscal and economic measures have beenintroduced to make the polluter pay and to bring about a reductionin carbon emissions.Waste management legislation in the UK originates from the Controlof Pollution Act 1974. Then, in 1990 national controls were tightenedwith the introduction of the Environmental Protection Act.Across Europe, waste management legislation is derived from theEU Waste Framework Directive (European Directive 75/442/EC asamended).The directive specifies that all EU member states have to ensurethat waste is recovered or disposed of without harm to humanhealth or the environment. It aims to control the keeping, transportand treatment, deposit and disposal of waste. It covers permitting,registration and inspection requirements.It affects the waste management industry including storage,registration, licensing, monitoring and record keeping. It also coversspecific waste streams like clinical and hazardous wastes.There are a significant number of EU directives and nationalregulations that are relevant to waste management. To addfurther complication, some UK regulations have been adoptedand adapted by the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland,Scotland and Wales.017 Drivers for changeIn short:All EU and UK waste legislationcomes down to the following:a. segregate your waste;b. measure your waste;c. manage your wasteappropriately and safely;d. keep a record of whathappens to your waste;e. check that your wastecontractors are doing what theysay they are doing with yourwaste.European Union definitionsWaste:Any substance or object whichthe holder discards, intends, or isrequired to discard.Producer:Anyone whose activitiesproduce waste or anyone whocarries out pre-processing,mixing or other operationsresulting in a change in nature orcomposition of waste.

018 Drivers for changeYour duty of careDuty of care regulations have a foundation in theEnvironmental Protection Act 1990 and apply toanyone handling waste - from the person thatproduces it to the person who finally disposes orrecovers it.Scenario:After eight years working from home, a man sets up an office inrented accommodation. He receives the waste disposal businessrate details from his local council and is unsure what’s the best wayto deal with his office waste. Rates do not include emptying thebins.He recycles as much as he can in terms of re-using paper, onlyprinting what he needs and has little waste - approximately one binbag each month with little or no plastic.Legally, he can’t take it home to mix it with his household waste andhe has to either employ the local authority or another contractor tocollect it, or take it to a waste reception centre and get a receipt(waste transfer note).Total amount of fines£2.2mIn 2009, the Environment Agencyissued £2,288,704 in fines forwaste crimes.All businesses have a duty of care under the EnvironmentalProtection Act 1990 to take all reasonable steps to ensure thelegal disposal of their waste.You are legally responsible for ensuring that the waste yourbusiness produces or handles is stored, treated, reprocessedand disposed of safely. This is your duty of care.Defra provide a code of practice on their website.The Environment Agency (details in the contacts section) hashad approval for funding to roll out an internet based dutyof care system to allow businesses to record waste transferselectronically. The scheme will be implemented in 2012 and isexpected to be fully rolled out by 2015.

020 Drivers for changeKnowing the risk: WEEE(waste electrical and electronic equipment)It’s estimated that one million tonnes of electricaland electronic waste is generated in the UK byhouseholds and businesses.Scenario:A small IT company has a large number of computers that are nolonger needed. The hard drives have been removed ready forwiping but the company needs to dispose of all the metal casingsand cabinets.Taking the metal waste to a civic amenity site is not an option as it’scommercial waste.The cases, which still contain much of the computer technology,need to be treated as WEEE. If the volumes are sufficiently large, thecompany will need an appropriate license to dispose of them, or tocontract a licensed waste contractor.There have been many incidences where WEEE has beendiscovered in shipping containers at ports in foreign countries. If anyWEEE is traced to your business, you’re liable for improper disposal.WEEE relates to anything that has a primary function that iselectrical or electronic.For example, because a television requires electricity tofunction, it’s covered by WEEE regulations. On the contrary,musical greetings cards are not covered because theirprimary function (greetings) does not require electricity.Some WEEE may also be covered by the Hazardous WasteRegulations (or the Special Waste Regulations in Scotland.For further information, please visit the Environment Agencywebsite.Recyclable content80%There are 90 million redundantmobile phones in the UK.

022 Drivers for changeKnowing the risk: hazardous wasteMore than 6.6 million tonnes of hazardous waste(known as special waste in Scotland) were generatedin 2008 of which approximately 1.1 million tonnes hadbeen re-used or recycled.Scenarios:A local builder put a load of damaged fluorescent tubes into a skipthat he has hired for a job. When it came to paying for the skip, theskip hire company charged him for the skip that he had plus anotherone to put the tubes in because its hazardous nature requires aspecific consignment note.A nail beauty specialist operates a mobile salon service - visitingclients in their homes or having clients come to her home to get theirnails done. A client appointment often results in the use of chemicalssuch as acetone and monomer, which have to be disposed oflegally as trade waste, subject to the hazardous waste legislation.Hazardous waste is waste that’s considered harmful tohuman health or the environment. It now includes televisions,computer monitors (both of which are also covered by WEEE),fluorescent tubes and end-of-life vehicles.Other examples of hazardous waste include:- Healthcare and clinical wastes- Solvents and chemicals- Oils and sludgesThe Environment Agency has published guidance on whathazardous waste is and how to deal with it.Recovery Rate16%Hazardous waste is waste that’sconsidered harmful to humanhealth and the environment.

024 Drivers for changeKnowing the risk: packagingThe UK Government target for packaging recoveryin 2009 was exceeded by more than 6%. Packagingwaste includes plastic, wood, paper, card and metal.Scenario:A chain of local stores supplied by UK wholesalers, sells products toconsumers. These products come in plastic, wood, paper, card andmetal containers and make up a total weight of over 50 tonnes peryear.As a producer of packaging waste, this business needs to registerwith the Environmental Agency (or the Scottish EnvironmentalAgency) or join a packaging compliance scheme.Packaging is anything that’s used to contain, protect, deliveror present goods. Goods could be raw materials or processeditems.If an item is integrated into packaging and intended tobe used and thrown away with it, it’s still considered aspackaging. For example, a makeup mascara brush or ameasuring cup provided with washing powder.Businesses that produce packaged goods, design orspecify packaging, import, sell or place on the market anypackaged goods or filled packaging will need to comply withthe Essential Requirements Regulations.Businesses handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging a yearand have a turnover of more than £2 million, will also need tocomply with the Producer Responsibility Obligations.Tonnage11mThe UK disposed of 11 milliontonnes of packaging waste ofwhich 65% was recovered.

026 Drivers for changeKnowing the risk: batteriesIt’s estimated that 30,000 tonnes of batteriesenter the UK market each year in products such astorches, mobile phones, cameras and other portableelectrical devices.Scenarios:A DIY superstore sells a range of battery operated products, as wellas domestic batteries (also called portable batteries) to domesticand trade customers. Due to the volume of sold batteries, theyoperate a take back scheme.A mechanics garage servicing and fixing cars as its main businesschanges old batteries for new ones in some client vehicles. Theyhave an obligation to recycle the used batteries.A manufacturer uses industrial batteries to operate its forklift. Whenthe batteries are replaced, they also have an obligation to recyclethem.Businesses must ensure that a special consignment note is producedwhen moving batteries waste.Recycled3%The UK currently recycles a smallnumber of the batteries sold eachyear.Batteries waste can damage the environment and causehealth problems as many contain toxic chemicals such aslead, cadmium and zinc.The disposal of industrial and automotive batteries into landfilland incineration is banned and therefore all industrial andautomotive batteries must be recycled.An industrial battery is any battery designed exclusively forindustrial or professional uses or used in any type of electricvehicle. An automotive battery is any battery used forautomotive starter, lighting or ignition power.Portable batteries range from AAA cells, mobile phonebatteries, to button cells used in hearing aids and watches. Ifa battery is available for purchase by the general public, thenit’s likely to be portable.Retailers selling more than 32 kilogrammes of batteries a yearare required to organise a take back scheme and arrange fortheir adequate disposal.

028 Drivers for changeKnowing the risk: animal byproducts& food wasteIf you’re a food retailer, distributor or manufacturer,it’s likely that you will be in contact with raw or lightycooked meat, unsuitable for human consumption(think food preparation or past its use by date food).Scenarios:A supermarket overstocked during a holiday and despite havingdiscounted the stock in the last days, they are left with somepackaged meat past its use by date.Animal by-products are entire animal bodies, parts of animals,or products of animal origin that are not intended for humanconsumption. Most animal by-products are subjected to alandfill ban.Raw meat, raw fish and other material from animals becomeanimal by-products when the material is no longer intendedfor human consumption. It becomes an animal by-product atthe point that it’s decided not to be eaten by humans (evenif it’s still edible). Catering waste and waste food of animalorigin become animal by-products when they are no longerintended for human consumption. This may be when produceis removed from sale because it has passed its sell by or useby date, or because of damage, soiling or contamination.Catering waste is not subjected to a landfill ban.Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001, theGovernment introduced a ban on feeding animals cateringwaste that contains or has been in contact with animal byproducts.A pharmaceutical company manufactures vaccines using chickeneggs, which are discarded at the end of the production process.A take-away restaurant prepares food on site. They have unusedraw fish or meat which they do not intend to use in their foodpreparation because they have prepared more than they required.Company policy is that they should dispose of this rather than use itthe following day.Incinerated (tonnes)846,000846,000 tonnes of animal byproductswere incinerated in2008.

WE RECYCLINGWe Love Recycling is a MITIEbehaviour change campaignthat promotes the benefitsand ease of recycling.Waste streams“Problems cannot besolved at the samelevel of awarenessthat created them.”Albert EinsteinWaste streams32 The hunt for general waste34 - 43 Waste stream trump cardsit’s available as a bespoke campaign oras a ‘campaign on a stick’ USB toolkit.weloverecycling@mitie.com

032 Waste streams 033 Waste streamsThe hunt for general wasteWhat is general waste and what does it do?General waste is the waste that goes in the kitchen bin, the desk bin,and alike before it makes its way to a bigger bin, and then into thelarge waste lorry where it’s all mixed up with everybody else’s waste.From this lorry, it’s taken to a transfer station, where it’s mixed witheven more people’s waste, before being put into an even biggerlorry to be taken to the landfill, or perhaps to a waste-to-energyplant.But what is it?The composition of general waste has changed over time; fromash and ceramics in ancient times, through virtually all wastematerials during the war, to a heavily regulated list in current times.Manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution coupled with thegrowing population led to the need to control waste, which in turnpaved the way for regulation.Legislative regimes concerning waste management have evolvedover many years, and have significantly reduced what can betermed “general waste” today.In recent decades, environmental protection and public concernhave further reduced the classification of general waste through thepressure to develop recycling technologies and fund environmentalinnovation.With that in mind, we askagain: what is general waste?Take a sandwich wrapper. That’susually plastic and cardboardand both of these can berecycled.And the remains of thesandwich? Food waste canbe recycled too. With the pulland development of overseasmarkets the drive to maximiserecycling has never beenstronger.Going through all the possibilitiesof what general waste is,everything we throw intothis chain of events is eitherrecyclable, or perhaps shouldn’tbe generated at all.It’s feasible then, due tocontinued developmentand public responsibility andinvolvement, that the termgeneral waste could even bemade redundant!First landfill3000 BCArchaeological records showthat landfill sites have existedsince the ancient Greek times.

GlassPlasticsTotal waste generated (tonnes) 3,800,000% recycled 35Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 4Ease of recycling (0-10) 8Total waste generated [tonnes) 5,000,000% recycled 20Commodity price HIGHSustainability factor [0-10] 4Ease of recycling [0-10] 7Fact sheetGlass is a combination of sandand other minerals that aremelted together at very hightemperatures.Glass is mostly used inpackaging, cookware,construction and paving.Four million tonnes of bottlesand jars were produced bythe UK glass manufacturingindustry in 2008.Glass is 100% infinitelyrecyclable.Fact sheetThere are many different typesof plastics, each with differingchemical compositions andphysical properties.Three quarters of the plasticsconsumed in the UK fall intoone of six main types - PET,HDPE, LDPE. PVC, PP and PS.A seventh category (others)makes about 30% of all wasteplastic.There is a large demand forwaste plastic in the Far East.Recycling processGlass recycling reduces CO 2and saves raw materials andenergy.1.6 million tonnes of bottlesand jars were recycled in theUK in 2008.Step 1: Glass collection withcolour segregation (clear,brown, clear and mixed).Step 2: Contaminant removal(metal, paper, organics,ceramic) using manualinspection and high-techequipment utilising metaldetectors, vacuums,crushers, screens, lasers,digital cameras and evenx-rays to detect and removecontamination.Step 3: Mixed with rawmaterials and the wholeprocess begins again!Recycling processThe most common route forrecycling recovered plastic isfor it to be used in a differentapplication from the sourceproduct. This is known as‘open-loop’ recycling.Most of the recovered PET(rPET) is used in the polyesterfibre industry, although thereis growing demand for rPET forclosed-loop packaging.Step 1: The plastic is sorted; thisis carried out automaticallywith a manual polish.Step 2: The plastic is thenwashed.Step 3: Subsequently it’s eithermelted down as it is andmoulded into a new form orshredded into flakes beforebeing melted and processedinto granules.

PaperandcardboardFood wasteand organicsTotal waste generated (tonnes) 10,000,000% recycled 70Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 8Ease of recycling [0-10] 9Total waste generated (tonnes) 25,000,000% recycled 50Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 10Ease of recycling [0-10] 5Fact sheetThe average UK office workerwastes up to two thirds of thepaper printed out each week.Only a third of UK businesseshave printers set to economymode.There are three categoriesof paper that are used formaking recycled paper: millbroke, pre-consumer wasteand post-consumer waste.Fact sheetLandfill gas emissions fromfood and garden wasteare estimated to accountfor about 20% of the UK’smethane emissions.The Landfill Directive statesthat by 2013 the amountof biodegradable wastelandfilled must be reduced to50% of that produced in 1995.By 2020 it must be reducedto 35%.Recycling processPaper sent for recycling isshredded and then pulped. It’sthen screened and de-inkedby washing and bleaching thepulp to produce clean papermaterial for reprocessing.Paper can only be recycledfour to six times before thefibres become too weak toprocess.To produce a sufficient gradeof usable paper, a smallamount of virgin fibre is addedin the recycling process tomaintain the fibre strength.Paper is a biodegradableproduct, which producesmethane when it decomposesin landfills.Recycling processOrganic waste can berecycled using variousmethods:1. Open windrow composting:organic waste is laid downin long rows (windrows) andturned to allow it to breakdown aerobically. This processis only suitable for waste whichdoes not contain animal byproducts.2. In-vessel composting:organic waste is treated inenclosed vessels usuallymade of metal or concreteand allow for air flow andtemperature to be controlled.3. Anaerobic digestion:organic waste breaks downwithout oxygen to producedigestate and biogas.

WoodTotal waste generated (tonnes) 10,000,000% recycled 20Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 9Ease of recycling [0-10] 7Electrical &electronicequipment(WEEE)Total waste generated (tonnes) 1,000,000% recycled 35Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 6Ease of recycling [0-10] 7Fact sheetWood is biodegradablemeaning that when sentto landfill, it will contributetowards greenhouse gasproduction.Approximately 50 millioncubic metres of timber areharvested in the UK annually.Britain imports more than fivetimes as much wood as itproduces.The UK generates around ninemillion tonnes of waste woodeach year.Fact sheetElectrical waste is the fastestgrowing waste stream in theUK, increasing by around 5%per year.Every year Britain producesone million tonnes of electricaland electronic waste.Recycling process1,980,000 tonnes of wastewood was recycled in 2007.Step 1: The recycling processbegins with the wood beingcleaned.Step 2: It’s then scanned byhand to remove any metal.Step 3: The wood is shreddedinto smaller pieces dependingon what it will be used forafterwards. Its uses range fromanimal bedding to MDF andchipboard.Recycling processOver 75% of waste electricalgoods go to landfill.Step 1: Electrical products arecollected.Step 2: They’re thenreprocessed meaning they’reshredded into small pieces.Step 3: Ferrous metals areremoved using strongmagnets and non-metallicmetals are removed usingelectrical currents.Step 4: The plastics areseparated by methods suchas density separation orinfrared light.

PlasterboardHazardoussubstancesTotal waste generated (tonnes) 900,000% recycled 50Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 3Ease of recycling [0-10] 7Total waste generated (tonnes) 5,000,000% recycled 25Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 2Ease of recycling [0-10] 4Fact sheetPlasterboard is made up oflayers of fibreboard or paperbonded to a plaster coreknown as gypsum.Plasterboard is commonlyused for forming partitions andlining walls and ceilings.Around three million tonnesof plasterboard are used inconstruction in the UK eachyear.As of April 2009, plasterboardwas no longer allowed to besent to mixed waste landfills.Fact sheetHazardous waste is any kindof waste which containsproperties that are harmfulto human health or theenvironment.Most of the hazardous wastein the UK comes from theconstruction and oil industrieswhich account for 41%.Some hazardous waste canbe reused to make newproducts such as batteries.Recycling processOver 2.5 million tonnesof plasterboard aremanufactured in the UK everyyear.Recycling plasterboardreduces the consumptionof scarce natural gypsumresources.Step 1: The plasterboard iscollected and delivered to therecycling plant for processing.Step 2: The gypsum core isseparated from the backingpaper and crushed.Step 3: The paper getsshredded and the recycledgypsum is sold back toplasterboard manufacturers.Recycling processRecycling hazardous wasteresults in less air, water and soilpollution.There are a number ofmethods for recyclinghazardous waste:1. Combustion for energyrecovery – involves burningthe waste as a fuel.2. Use constitutingdisposal – either pouringthe fuel directly onto land orcombining it with a productthat will be applied to the land.3. Reclamation – is the processof recovering material from ausable product.4. Direct use and reuse – usingwaste directly in place ofanother product, or in anindustrial process to make aproduct.

MetalsAggregate fromconstruction & demolitionTotal waste generated (tonnes) 15,000,000% recycled [aluminium] 85Commodity priceHIGHSustainability factor [0-10] 10Ease of recycling [0-10] 7Total waste generated (tonnes) 200,000,000% recycled 30Commodity priceLOWSustainability factor [0-10] 8Ease of recycling [0-10] 9Fact sheetMetal is a chemical element,that conducts both heat andelectricity.All metals including nickel,copper, silver, gold, lead,brass aluminium and steel arerecyclable.Like glass, metals can berecycled indefinitely withoutlosing any of their properties.Recycling one tonne of scrapsteel saves 80% of the CO 2emissions produced whenmaking steel from iron ore.Fact sheetAggregate refers to a broadgroup of materials used inconstruction, such as sand,gravel and crushed stone.Aggregates have a number ofdifferent properties includingparticle size, distribution,shape and texture.Every year in the UKapproximately 275 milliontonnes of aggregates areused in construction, 25% ofthis comes from recycledsources.Recycling processRecycling metal preventsenvironmental damagecaused by mining andreduces greenhouse gasemissions. Metal can alsobe recycled infinitely withoutlosing strength or materialcompound.The recycling of differentmetals varies, however theyfollow these basic steps:Step 1: The metal is collectedand separated according totype and composition.Step 2: The metal is thenheated at high temperaturesby a smelter and moulded intosmall bars.Step 3: The bars are distributedto manufacturers who remeltthe metal to make therequired products.Recycling processRecycling aggregate reducesthe need for further rocks to beharnessed, which in turn savesnatural habitats.In 2008 the UK producedabout 200 million tonnes ofaggregate waste.Step 1: Any fine material isremoved, such as soil, bypassing through a screeningprocess.Step 2: The material is thencrushed to reduce its size.Step 3: Remainingcontamination is removed bya washing process.Step 4: The last stage isto remove any oversizedmaterial.

Recovery and disposalTreehugger ®is an innovativeand easily implementedmethod of increasingrecycling withinany office environment.“Innovationdistinguishesbetween a leader anda follower.”Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Inc.Recovery and disposal46 Why Zero Waste?48 The waste hierarchy in practise50 Recycling52 Commercial composting54 Anaerobic digestion56 Gasif cation & pyrolysis58 Landf lltreehugger@mitie.com

046 Recovery and disposalWhy zero waste?Historically zero waste was seen asbeing some sort of idealistic panaceawhich was unachievable. It wasoccasionally referred to but never takenseriously. In fact, there was probably a riskin credibility to any individual raising thisas a credible strategic objective.What has changed?Firstly, the complete crash in the recycling market in 2008/2009,brought about by the Far East trading centres refusing to takematerials, removed the opportunity of recycling being consideredas absolutely sustainable.Secondly, the concept of inefficiency within business, whichwaste surely represents, is now something which organisations aregenuinely seeking to drive out.Thirdly, there is now an opportunity for organisations to reallydemonstrate true environmental sustainability. When you considerthat CR reports in the UK typically focus on recycling and landfillavoidance, and you bear in mind, that only three years agoorganisations were grasping for sustainability by offsetting, it’s clearthat waste minimisation is now a real credible brand differentiator fororganisations.047 Recovery and disposalHow do you make it work?The key to making Zero Waste work is joined up thinking throughoutan organisation. An example is the paperless office. Typicallyaround 80% of all waste generated in an office building is paper.Technology developments have seen touch screen mobile ITequipment become a reality, which, if combined with larger viewingscreens means that an organisation could apply this technologyand achieve significant reductions in volumes of paper wastegenerated.Another example is when negotiating a catering contract, suppliersare required to provide all goods in reusable containers thusleaving no waste for the client to dispose of. This example could beextended into cleaning, stationery, IT, and more…Our clients can be a step ahead and set that agenda to their ownadvantage.

048 Recovery and disposalThe waste hierarchyin practiceThe waste hierarchy refers to the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle,which classifies waste management strategies and their relatedtechnologies according to their desirability.The key to making the hierarchy work is by combining strategiesto achieve the best results for the particular circumstances of anorganisation.MITIE has extensive experience with clients from the private andthe public sector in implementing the waste hierarchy; typically,a significant shift in approach and culture is required for success,applying a multi-layered strategy to manage the waste and utilisethe most appropriate technology available.This strategy is strengthened by targets, reporting and monitoring,providing the necessary infrastructure to actively progress on thesustainability agenda.049 Recovery and disposalReduceWaste prevention and minimisation is about applying a joinedup thinking through the organisation and looking at opportunitieswhere less is more. Less packaging, less paper, less food waste,less electrical waste... We assess our clients’ internal processes andimplement changes that will result in reducing the amount of wastebeing produced. For example, we work with clients to negotiatewith their supply chain managers so suppliers deliver their goods incrates, instead of cardboard boxes.ReuseReuse or remanufacturing involves preserving the whole form of anend-of-life part or product in order to return it to like-new or betterperformance, with warranty to match. For example, we work withthe National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) to identify localcharitable organisations that can make use of redundant furnitureas well as matching our client’s wastes to another customer’s rawmaterial.RecycleAt MITIE, we work in partnership with our clients to provide a fullsource segregation recycling scheme tailored to local opportunities,whether in a production space or an office location. Everyemployee, contractor and site visitor is empowered to make theright choice by choosing the right bin for the right recyclable,helping our clients achieve their environmental aims andmaximising the opportunity for monetisation.MITIE specialises in finding alternative outlets and uses for largevolume wastes in the industrial sector. Whether it’s monetising filtercakesin the aerospace industry through rare metal extractionor recovering wax used in precision engineering to be remadeinto candles, you can be sure MITIE will treat your waste as thecommodity it is.“They trust us to do the right thing with their waste”Paul Keen, MITIE National Waste Contract Manager

050 Recovery and disposal 051 Recovery and disposalRecyclingRecycling involves processing used and/or unwanted materials intonew products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials.Recycling reduces the consumption of raw materials and divertsmaterial being sent to landfill. Both have the benefit of loweringgreenhouse emission, from the extraction and processing of rawmaterial and from the methane emission from landfill.Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal,plastic, textiles and electronics.Glass Plastics Paper CardboardFood Garden Wood WEEEPlaster board Hazardouse waste Metal AggregatesPROS• Sustainability & CR;• Reduces landfill costs;• Extends life cycle of virginmaterial, hence lower CO 2emissions;• Recycling drink cans uses90% less energy thanmaking drink cans fromvirgin material.CONS• Behavioural change issuewith people (resistance fromemployees).Commercial recycling (tonnes) 38,000,000Waste-to-energy option?NoIn 1813, Benjamin Lawdeveloped the process ofturning rags into ‘shoddy’ and‘mungo’ woolin Batley, Yorkshire2,300Number of UK operators

052 Recovery and disposal 053 Recovery and disposalCommercial compostingComposting is a natural biological process, carried out undercontrolled aerobic conditions (requires oxygen). In this process,various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break downorganic matter into simpler substances. There are four main types ofcomposting systems:• Turned windrows;• Static piles;• Covered-aerated static piles;• In-vessel composting.Composting is suitable for food waste, leaves and yard wastes,agricultural crop residues, paper products, sewage sludge andwood.PROS• Reduces waste output;• Natural waste treatmentprocess suitable for 50%of the waste stream;• Produces a high qualityrenewable fertiliser;• Reduced harmful gasessuch as sulphur dioxide(SO 2), nitrogen oxides (NO X)and particulates;CONS• Not space efficient.Commercial composting (tonnes) 3,000,000Waste-to-energy option?YesA retired Roman general, MarcusPorcius Cato, who lived from 234BC to 149 BC, wrote a book titled“De Agri Cultura” in which hedescribed composting.178Number ofcommercialcomposting plants

054 Recovery and disposalAnaerobic digestionAnaerobic digestion (AD) biologically treats waste in the absenceof oxygen, producing a biogas that can be used to generateelectricity and heat. It reduces organic waste to a relatively stablesolid residue (digestate) similar to compost. Anaerobic digestion isparticularly suited to wet, organic material and as such has beenused for the treatment of sewage sludge for over a century.AD units are available in a range of sizes giving a large range oftreatment capacities, suitable for many diverse applications.The UK’s water industry treats 66% of the UK’s sewage sludge in ADplants. Beyond the water industry, commercial AD is in its infancy,but growing rapidly.055 Recovery and disposalPROS• Natural waste treatmentprocess;• Produces a high qualityrenewable fuel andbeneficial by-products;• Lower CO 2and methaneemissions, less land use, noodour;• Reduces harmful gases suchas sulphur dioxide (SO 2),nitrogen oxides (NO x) andparticulates.CONS• Dependant on a regularand homogeneous organicwaste stream.Commercial AD (tonnes) 1,500,000Waste-to-energy option?YesIn 1895, biogas was recoveredfrom London’s sewage system andused to fuel street lamps.The ancestor totoday’s AD technology!37Number ofcommercial AD plants

056 Recovery and disposal 057 Recovery and disposalGasification & pyrolysisThe combustion of waste materials converts the waste into ash,flue gases, particulates and heat, which in turn is used to generateelectric power.The temperature is maintained at 850°C or above, for at least twoseconds, which ensures complete combustion of the waste. Energyis recovered from the hot flue gases by a boiler system, creatingsteam to turn a turbo-generator which feeds the electricity grid.Gasification and Pyrolysis reduces the mass of the original waste by80–85% and the volume by 95%, depending upon the compositionand degree of recovery of the materials such as metals from the ashfor recycling.PROS• Energy and heat generation;• Mass/volume reduction ofwaste, where land space isscarce;• Diversion from landfill.CONS• Requires long contractperiods to recover initialinvestment costs, causinga long term lock-in, whichcould in theory undermineother recovery options.Waste-to-energy plantlifetimes normally rangebetween 25 to 30 years.Commercial incineration (tonnes) 7,000,000Waste-to-energy option?YesThe first “destructor” wasconstructed in Nottingham in1874 using mixed fuel to producesteam to generate electricity.98Number ofcommercialincinerators

058 Recovery and disposal 059 Recovery and disposalLandfillLandfill sites are where waste is taken to be buried and compactedwith other wastes. They are regulated by the Environment Agency.There are two types of landfills:1. Mono-disposal sites – taking waste usually disposed byindustries that produce large quantities of one type of waste.2. Multi-disposal sites – taking waste usually coming fromhouseholds, commercial and general industrial firms.PROS• Can hold a large amount ofwaste in inert condition;• Proximity to wastegeneration;• Some modest energyrecovery.CONS• Lack of space. The UK isrunning out of licensedlandfill sites;• Cost of landfill tax isincreasing by £8/tonne peryear, reaching £80 by 2014;• Potential waste of valuableresources if general wastehas not been sorted;• Produces a large amountof methane, a harmfulgreenhouse gas;• Short life cycle (15 years);• Potential long termcontamination of land andwater supplies for older sites.UK Landfilling capacity (tonnes) 650,000,000Waste-to-energy option?YesIn 1388, the English Parliamentbarred waste dispersal in publicwaterways and ditches.4,000Number ofUK landfills

Ministry of GeniusThought leadership”Behold the turtle.He makes progressonly when he stickshis neck out.”James Bryant ConantGot a question? Ask a genius!Gain direct access to the MITIE experts inzero waste, recycling, multisite mobilisation, supply chainmanagement, behaviour change programme, compliance,waste specifics (clinical waste, food waste, hazardous waste,office waste, packaging, WEEE), technologies...wastegenius@mitie.comThought leadership62 Controlling the cost of waste disposal64 What really comes out of your off ce?66 To compact or not to compact?68 Reduce, reuse, recycle

062 Thought leadershipControlling the cost of wasteCost control is something that we are all generallyaware of and something we are all actively seeking toimplement.When you consider that landfill tax has increased by 167% since2005, clearly waste is well and truly on most organisational radars asan area for at least some consideration.So we have to blame ………. tax! Alas, this is a bit of a double edgedsword. The thing is, this tax, introduced in the 1990’s was the chosenvehicle for both making us all want to recycle, which in turn thenmade the industry want to build the facilities for us all to recycle.The UK government commissioned a report in 1997 which identified£36 per tonne as being the magic number which switched us all intomotivated participants in the recycling crusade.Other countries such as Germany chose a different route: theyplaced a significant levy against all producers of packaging wasteunder the title Duales Systeme Deutschland which generated afund that they then used to finance the collection and reprocessingof recyclables. This levy was of course passed through to theconsumer, impacting everyone.063 Thought leadershipThe thing is, here in the UK, thelandfill tax is increasing by £8 peryear, reaching £80 per tonne, in2014.So, as we look to controlorganisational operating costs,what is the answer?Recycling on its own is notenough, the time is right toturn the corner and view thegeneration of waste, no matterwhat the final destination (MRF,recycling, etc.) as a futileexercise in throwing moneyaway.If organisations are to reducetheir expenditure on waste,then the logic behind theprocurement of goods to thenpay to dispose of them, has tobe questioned.Furthermore, this practice seemsparticularly questionable asyear on year it has been foundthat organisations have beenincreasing the volumes of wastethey generate.Landfill tax in 2014£80/tonneThe landfill tax elevator hascreated the conditions for achange in practice.

064 Thought leadershipWhat really comes out of your officeIn a typical office environment, occupants willgenerate approximately 0.25 tonnes of waste materialevery year, which is largely recyclable.To put this situation into better context, approximately 2.5 tonnes ofnatural resources are consumed just to produce this waste material,assuming it’s of virgin origin. Contained within this 0.25 tonne ofwaste material produced, you would typically expect the followingbreakdown of materials:• 175kg of mixed paper waste;• 12.5kg of cardboard;• 25kg of plastic waste;• 7.5kg of metal waste;• 30kg of mixed food waste and non-recyclables.This proves quite clearly that, if given the correct facilities, over 85%of all waste generated within an office environment can be andshould be - recycled.065 Thought leadershipThere are plenty of benefitsin achieving such levels ofrecycling; here are just a few:Job creationIt is estimated that for every10,000 tonnes of wastematerial recycled, 39 jobsare created. 10,000 tonnesof waste material landfilledwill create approximately sixjobs; 10,000 tonnes of wastematerial incinerated will createapproximately three jobs.Natural resource consumptionreductionRecycling paper alonegenerates 74% less pollution;water consumption is reducedby 35%; 64% less energy is used.Preservation of natural habitatRecycling reduces the need forraw materials, hence reducingdeforestation, earth crustremoval, oil drilling.Recycling target80%Over 85% of all waste generatedwithin an office environment canbe recycled.

066 Thought leadershipTo compact or not to compact?Waste compaction is a well established technologythat has proven itself over several decades.Compaction typically reduces waste by volume at a ratio of 4:1which reduces transport costs, associated vehicle movements, andof course vehicle emissions.Add the neatness of the solution when compared to multiple binsand the secure nature of the containment process, and there areclearly benefits for consideration.When considering compaction technology, a strong argument infavour is the sheer convenience of use. The operator can depositrecycling materials (or almost any kind of waste depending on theagreed process) into the machine and the technology does thework.However, compaction as a technology of choice can also bequestionned.Because a compactor is a sealed unit, unsuitable waste items couldend up with the recyclable items.For example, a recent survey of an organisation’s waste disposedover a two week period using a compactor, revealed someinteresting findings. On average, 56% of the compacted wasteconsisted of recyclable materials such as newspapers, magazines,cardboard (the majority), plastic bottles and polythene film.067 Thought leadershipIn addition to the variousrecyclables there werealso examples of variousmaintenance wastes andelectrical items all of whichequated to a legal noncompliance.So, this example outlines somekey operational, financial,and reputational issues thatneed to be consideredcarefully. However, in this era ofenvironmental ambition evidentin CR reports and corporatebranding, decisions also need tobe strategic.Leaders in environmental bestpractice have long prioritisedwaste reduction, achieved viareuse strategies, eliminatingwaste at source. Most of us knowthis as ‘lean manufacturing’ or‘six sigma’ which we instantlyassociate with high qualityglobal brands.In other words these leadershave taken the principles ofwaste reduction and reuse todevelop more economicallyefficient operations and positivebrand awareness.So, if your aim is to be trulysustainable and achieve therecognition that environmentalexcellence delivers, the firstprinciple will be to reduce yourwaste arisings.Of course, if you achieve that,the economic argument behindwaste compaction reduces, asyou will use it less and less, yetthe costs will remain the same.Optimum compacting ratio170 kg/m3Compaction typically reduceswaste by volume at a ratio of 4:1.

068 Thought leadershipReduce, reuse, recycle -A change of focus is overdueWaste by definition is ‘stuff’ that is discarded as it’s nolonger needed, valued as worthless and/or useless.Last year in the UK, we discarded 434 million tonnes of ‘stuff’ – thisis not just from households but also from commerce and industry.That’s enough to fill Lake Windermere three times!Society consumes more now than ever before. This unprecedentedlevel of consumption will undoubtedly affect our way of life.So we all do our bit by recycling as much as we can, once we’veworked out which plastics can be recycled and where. Andrecycling is a good thing. We know that it diverts waste from landfill,saves energy and raw materials. It has also been a driver for thecreation of a recovery and reprocessing industry.But we’re still creating all this waste.The phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ is simple. Reducing the wastewe create in the first place should be the priority. The waste we can’thelp but create we should try to reuse and only when we REALLYcan’t use it again, should we recycle it.069 Thought leadershipIt makes good business senseto minimise your waste, justbecause it costs your businessfor every tonne you have to getrid of, regardless of whether it isgoing to landf ll or for recoveryor for recycling (someone hasto take it off your hands and dosomething else with it).Resource efficiencyMinimising your waste is alsoabout getting maximumeff ciency from your resources -the ultimate aim of any business.The less you have to put intothe process and the more of ityou use for the end product ortowards another product, theless you have to dispose.Recycling is simply shutting thestable door after the horse hasbolted.Waste arisingLast year, we discarded enough434 mwaste to fill Lake Windermerethree times.

Find more about MITIEGlossary andcontactsGlossary and contacts72 Glossary78 Contact uswww.mitie.com

072 Glossary and contactsGlossaryAnaerobic digesting - AD is compost made by a set ofbacteria that grows when all the oxygen has been used up by a firstset of bacteria. (See composting)Animal by-products Waste which contains animal carcasses,parts of animal carcasses or products of animal origin (or has beenin contact with these) or which originates from premises where theyare handled or where foodstuffs containing or coming into contactwith them are prepared or produced.Autoclaving [a.k.a. Mechanical Heat Treatment] Autoclavinginvolves the high-pressure sterilisation of waste by steam inconjunction with mechanical processing, which ‘cooks’ the wasteand so destroys any bacteria in it. The process creates a so-called‘fibre material’ from the biodegradable portion of the waste, whichis separated along with some recyclable materials. (See thermaltreatment)Biological mechanical treatment - BMT A disposal methodwhereby waste (either sorted or mixed) is treated by a variety ofprocesses – often involving some form of ‘composting’ but where theend product is not compost.Baler Machinery which compacts similar types of waste, such aspaper, cardboard, plastic... Balers are made of steel with a hydraulicram to compress the material and came from the farming sector.Bottom ash The ash that drops out of the bottom of an incinerator.It’s often used to cover over newly landfilled waste, or in concretemanufacture. It’s sterile and relatively clean.Civic amenity site or CA site. Council-run facility for the public tobring their waste for disposal. Hot issue: trade waste being smuggledin as household waste.Clinical waste such as medical dressings, soiled items,packaging from medical dressings, old medicines, used syringes,etc. It is usually disposed of by high temperature incineration.073 Glossary and contactsComingled Different types of waste materials collected andmixed together (e.g. a comingled collection will take paper, cansand plastics all in a single bag or bin).Compactor is a piece of machinery used to reduce the sizeof waste material through compaction. Think of a car crusher.Such devices can either be of the "pancake" type, where wasteis flattened by a huge descending hydraulically-powered plateor of the baling type, where the waste is compressed from severaldirections until it resembles a large cube.Compost A soil improver and fertiliser made by the rotting ofbiodegradable matter, typically vegetation but also kitchen waste,manure, paper and cardboard.Composting Making compost. This is done by individuals intheir garden, or by farmers, or on a commercial scale. Anaerobiccomposting is done without the use of air while aerobic compostingis done with air.Contractors The UK waste industry is very fragmented, with fivemajor national contractors and hundreds of regional and local firms.A successful waste management strategy will look at selecting avariety of operators, with local best practise in mind.Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health - COSHHRegulations governing how substances must be stored, transported,handled etc. to protect peoples’ health.Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsDefra is the UK government department responsible for policy andregulations on the environment, food and rural affairs. As such, Defrais responsible for the government’s approach to waste.Digester A large enclosed container in which anaerobiccomposting is carried out. Produces methane as a by-product.End markets Companies that use recycled material in theirproduction processes. Without robust end markets, no aspect ofwaste management is possible.

074 Glossary and contacts 075 Glossary and contactsEnvironment Agency Government quango that broughttogether the National Rivers Authority (i.e. water pollution), theWaste Regulation Authority (i.e. land pollution), and Her Majesty’sInspectorate of Pollution (i.e. air pollution). It regulates all aspects ofenvironmental protection.Environmental Protection Act - EPA 1990 The primary pieceof legislation that governs all aspects of waste management.European Waste Catalogue - EWC Classifies waste materialsand categorises them according to what they are and howthey were produced. It is referred to in a number of EuropeanUnion directives and Commission decisions regarding wastemanagement. The UK has integrated the catalogue into theirdomestic legislation. It’s a requirement to make a reference to aEWC code on a duty of care waste transfer note.Fly ash The lightweight bits of ash from an incineration process thatdo not fall into the grate below but instead fly out of the chimney intothe air. Incinerators have to ensure they capture most of the fly ash.Fly tipping The illegal disposal of waste and unwanted goods,often at the side of the road or in alleyways.Greenhouse effect The ‘warming’ of the Earth, caused bythe burning of fossil fuels, and the release of carbon dioxide andmethane.Green waste Garden refuse such as grass and hedge clippings.Household waste Waste from a domestic property, a residentialhome, an educational establishment, a caravan, premises formingpart of a hospital or a nursing home.In vessel processing of waste (e.g. composting) in a sealedcontainer or building.Incineration Burning waste as a means of disposal.Landfill A large hole in the ground, licensed to receive a rangeof types of waste. The bottom and sides will be lined to controlleachate, and pipes may run through the waste below the surface toextract landfill gas.Landfill directive This EU directive requires the reduction ofbiodegradable waste going into landfills to 35% of which it was in1995 by 2020.Landfill tax makes recycling a commercially viable alternativeand creates a financial incentive for companies to look at the ZeroWaste model. The Landfill tax escalator means that the tax increasesby £8 per tonne per year, to reach a guaranteed floor of £80 pertonne in 2014.Leachate Noxious liquid that oozes out of landfills, particularlywhen the waste in it contains a lot of biodegradable material.Methane Produced inside landfills. A gas, the simplesthydrocarbon (CH 4), and a contributor to the ‘green house effect’.Colourless, odourless and lighter than air, it burns with a bluish flameand can explode when mixed with air or oxygen.Minimisation Reducing the amount of waste created at source.Materials reclamation facility - MRF A facility wherecomponents of a mixed waste stream are extracted by mechanicalseparation techniques. MRFs may be high or low technologyfacilities, depending on the sophistication of plant and equipmentemployed and the numbers of staff working on site.Mechanical biological treatment - MBT The MBT plant isto stabilise and separate the residual waste stream into less harmfuland / or more beneficial output streams. MBT plants normallycombine a number of different process technologies. The processesare designed to handle raw ‘black bag’ waste (after any sourcesegregated recycling and composting has taken place) and tendto involve a recyclate recovery element (typically metals and glass)and drying / partial composting of the remaining waste to producea more stabilised residue.Municipal solid waste Defined as household waste plus tradewaste collected by the local council.Municipal waste Waste handled by, or on behalf of, the Council.

076 Glossary and contacts 077 Glossary and contactsPackaging regulations Regulations that require businesses thatuse more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year to reuse, recycle orrecover a percentage quotas of packaging material.Point of storage The place where a business keeps its rubbish (i.e.the wheelie bin).Recovery The recovery of energy from waste, usually byincineration with the heat being used to generate electricity or districtheating.Recycling Re-using materials by breaking them down into a morebasic form and remanufacturing them.Roll-on-roll-off A type of skip that (intentionally) rolls on and off theback of a lorry. Also known as ‘Roro’Shredder A machine with flailing hammers inside that smashesmaterial to bits.Skip Large receptacle for waste; many different sizes.Sustainable development Development that meets theneeds of the present without compromising the ability of the futuregeneration to meet their needs.Technology Technology creates new ways of processingrecovered resource, enabling better material segregation, higherrecycling rates, electricity generation etc.Thermal treatment Treating waste with heat. The most common isincineration, but may also include autoclaving (sterilising with steam)and pyrolysis (heating without air – the same process by which the oldtown gas was made), and other new technologies being developed.Trade waste Waste that has arisen in a business, shop or industry.Also includes waste taken away from a house by, for example, abuilder, plumber or kitchen fitter.Transfer station A place where refuse lorries tip their waste, whichis then reloaded into much larger lorries (or in some cases trains orriver barges) and sent far away to a disposal facility such as a landfill.Waste hierarchy There is a pecking order of what isenvironmentally the best thing to do with waste.1. Reduce: minimise the amount of waste arising in the first place2. Reuse: find ways of reusing waste, without reprocessing it3. Recycle/compost: process the waste to remake the original item,or compost it4. Recovery: see waste-to-energy5. Landfill with energy recovery6. Landfill without energy recoveryWaste management strategy A strategy for the managementof wastes, including all the various collection, handling, storage,processing, and final disposal activities.Waste streams There are 853 waste streams, as per the EWCclassification. Waste streams look at the material life cycle, from endof use to recovery and recycling. Knowing your waste streams startsthe process towards waste management best practice.Waste-to-energy a.k.a. Energy from waste The process bywhich waste is incinerated as a way of disposing of it. The resultingheat is used to generate electricity and in some cases to heatlarge numbers of homes and buildings nearby. The incinerationprocess is tightly regulated by EU rules. Incinerators have to havedesulphurisation scrubbers fitted to remove most of the SO 2and NO xfrom the smoke going up the stack. See fly ash and bottom ash.Wheelie bins Large plastic waste bins with wheels on; used inconjunction with specialist refuse collection vehicles with lifting andtipping mechanisms. Various sizes (litres): 120, 140, 240, 360, 770,1100, 1240.Windrow A large, long pile of green waste piled up for aerobiccomposting at large outdoors sites.Zero waste means achieving no waste output through aconcerted plan to change internal processes that produce waste.Implementing a zero waste strategy is a real brand differentiator forcommercial or public sector organisations.

Have your sayGive us feedback about this handbook and tell us your opinionabout any relevant issue regarding waste management bycompleting the online survey.Visit www.mitie.com/waste-and-environmental and click on theonline survey icon to tell us what you think!Alternatively, drop us an email to waste@mitie.comContact usMITIE Waste & Environmental OfficesEngland & Wales: Scotland:1 Harlequin Office Park RutherglenFieldfare GlasgowBristol G73 1AUBS16 7FN T: 0141 613 7800T: 0844 800 2714Useful linksDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:www.defra.gov.ukThe Environmental Agency:www.environment-agency.gov.ukTreehugger ®NetRegsprovides free environmental guidance for businesses:www.netregs.gov.uk