Total Waste Management

Total Waste Management

Total waste management refers to the practice of managing all waste streams generated by a business, from production to disposal, in a responsible and sustainable way. The aim of total waste management is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, increase recycling rates, and create a circular economy where waste is seen as a valuable resource.

Metals, such as aluminium, copper, and steel, are a significant component of waste streams generated by businesses. They can be recycled repeatedly without losing their quality, making them an ideal material for a circular economy. Recycling metals helps to conserve natural resources and reduce the negative impact of industry on the environment.

The WasteTrade online marketplace can help businesses that produce metal waste streams to find reliable, ethical and profitable recycling outlets for their materials. WasteTrade has a global network of ethical, fully verified recyclers to help keep materials in use within the economy, at the same time as getting businesses the best prices for their waste commodities.

Metal and Waste Recycling

Metal and waste recycling is a key component of total waste management. Recycling metals not only helps to conserve natural resources and reduce the negative impact on the environment, but it can also save businesses money and create jobs.

The process of recycling metal waste involved collecting and sorting the waste, preparing it for recycling, and melting it down to be reprocessed. After collection, metal waste is sorted by type and quality, and any non-metallic items, such as paper or rubber, are removed. The metal is then cleaned and shredded into small pieces before being melted down in a furnace. Once melted, impurities are removed, and the metal is cast into new shapes or reprocessed into new products. The recycled metal can then be used for a wide range of applications, from construction to manufacturing.

In addition to metals, other types of waste can be recycled, such as paper, plastics, and glass. By recycling a range of materials, as part of broader total waste management strategies, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a circular economy. Examples of total waste management strategies include reducing the amount of waste generated by a business, reusing materials where possible, and recycling waste. For example, a manufacturing company may implement a total waste management strategy that involves reducing the amount of waste generated by using more efficient production processes, reusing materials where possible, and recycling waste by-products.

Benefits of Metal and Waste Recycling

Metal and waste recycling offer several benefits to businesses and the environment. By recycling metals and other materials, businesses can:

Save money: Recycling metals can save businesses money by reducing the cost of producing new products. Recycled metal is cheaper than virgin metal because it requires less times, energy and labour to produce.
Create jobs: Metal and waste recycling create jobs and contribute to the economy. According to the British Metal Recycling Association, the metal recycling industry in the UK employs around 8,000 people and has an annual turnover of around £7 billion.
Reduce environmental impact: Recycling metals and other materials reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, conserves natural resources, and reduces the negative impact on the environment.
Contribute to a circular economy: Metal and waste recycling contribute to a circular economy by reducing waste and creating a closed-loop system where waste is seen as a valuable resource.

Conclusion

Total waste management is a vital aspect of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Metal and waste recycling are essential components of total waste management, offering significant benefits to businesses and the environment. By adopting a total waste management approach, businesses can save money, reduce their environmental impact, and create a more sustainable future.

Businesses who produce metal waste can use the WasteTrade online marketplace to find ethical, fully accredited recyclers to help them turn their waste streams into revenue streams. All WasteTrade users must go through the verification process before being granted to the marketplace, ensuring you only deal with trustworthy entities. WasteTrade also handles all logistics and generates all compliance documentation to remove these burdens from our users.