OPINION: As winter sets in, there’s an often-overlooked challenge businesses face: the impact of cold weather on waste management. This is especially challenging during the festive season when waste production is expected to increase significantly. To overcome these seasonal challenges, companies need a well-thought-out waste management strategy. Communicating with your waste management provider to understand how they can support you is crucial for creating an efficient disposal system that can handle the extra waste volumes of winter and Christmas.
The environmental impact of winter waste
Christmas sees a surge in waste production, with increased use of packaging, wrapping paper, food and drink containers, Christmas trees and decorations. This spike in waste generation puts extra pressure on the waste management system.
Over 100 million bags of rubbish go to landfills each Christmas, and approximately 40% of waste comprises materials like plastic, cardboard, paper and glass that can be recycled. However, the challenges of cold-weather recycling, combined with the heightened waste of the festive season, raise the likelihood of recyclable materials ending up in landfills. Landfills are a significant source of methane emissions, contributing around 11% of global methane output—a figure projected to increase to 70% by 2050, according to the World Bank.
Winter waste management challenges
Winter weather brings unique issues for waste management. Freezing conditions can cause waste to expand, potentially damaging bins and containers, which complicates collection efforts. Additionally, frozen waste often thaws during warmer parts of the day, leading to contamination that hinders recycling processes. For instance, frozen recyclables in mixed bins may stick together, making separation and proper recycling almost impossible.
The holiday season adds another layer of difficulty, often coinciding with staff shortages. If team members responsible for waste handling are unavailable, collections can be missed or become delayed. This leads to stockpiled waste, which creates safety hazards, makes premises untidy- and generates unpleasant odours. Snow and ice can exacerbate the problem, blocking access to bins and waste collection areas.
To mitigate these challenges, businesses can ensure bins have sufficient space to accommodate freezing waste. Avoiding overfilling bins is also key to keep lids properly closed. Adding extra bins in the winter and offering staff training on efficient waste handling are also beneficial actions. Clearing snow and ice around waste storage areas ensures smooth and timely collections.
Making winter waste management more sustainable
To minimise environmental harm during winter, businesses can take proactive steps to optimise resource usage and limit waste. Investing in weather-resistant waste management systems can significantly improve recycling and disposal efficiency.
If upgrading office supplies for the new year, consider reusing or donating unwanted items rather than discarding them. Donating items in good condition can spread holiday cheer while reducing waste and selling items can generate extra holiday income.
Encouraging employees to adopt eco-friendly habits is also key. For instance, for office gift exchanges like Secret Santa, promote the use of sustainable gifts and eco-conscious wrapping materials such as old newspapers.
Connecting with local waste management providers to understand their winter schedules and recycling tips can be helpful. Alternatively, outsourcing waste management to a flexible, contract-based team ensures collections remain consistent during winter staff shortages.
Final thoughts
Winter poses unique waste management challenges for businesses, with implications for the environment and local communities. Proactively implementing effective waste strategies, fostering a recycling culture, and working closely with waste management providers are essential steps. These efforts can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and promote sustainability during the colder months.
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