Understanding Your Duty of Care
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, all UK businesses have a duty of care to ensure their waste is managed responsibly. This means you must take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe, store it properly, transfer it to an authorised person, and complete the correct documentation. Failure to comply can result in significant fines.
Key Compliance Requirements
Businesses must: segregate waste where required, store waste safely and securely, use licensed waste carriers, keep waste transfer notes for at least two years, and ensure waste is disposed of at licensed facilities. Baling and compacting waste on-site helps you meet these requirements by producing clean, segregated, manageable waste that's easy to store and document.
How Recycling Equipment Helps with Compliance
Balers and compactors support compliance in several ways. They help you segregate recyclable materials from general waste, produce clean bales that are easy to document and transfer, reduce the volume of waste requiring disposal, and provide evidence of your recycling efforts. This documentation supports your environmental reporting and demonstrates compliance with waste regulations.
The Waste Hierarchy
UK waste policy follows the waste hierarchy: prevent, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose. Baling and compacting support the 'recycle' tier by producing recyclable bales from materials that might otherwise go to landfill. This helps your business meet sustainability targets and contributes to the circular economy.
Environmental Benefits Beyond Compliance
Effective waste management isn't just about compliance—it's about environmental responsibility. By baling and recycling your waste, you divert material from landfill, reduce transport emissions through fewer collections, and contribute to the circular economy. Many businesses find that strong environmental performance also supports their brand reputation and customer relationships.
Get Compliant with MHM UK LTD
MHM UK LTD manufactures a full range of balers and compactors that help your business manage waste compliantly and efficiently. Contact us to discuss your waste management needs, or explore our product range to find the right equipment.