What Is the Waste Hierarchy in the UK?
Highlights
- The waste hierarchy orders waste management into categories to reduce environmental impact.
- The hierarchy consists of prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal.
- Businesses must follow The Waste Regulations 2011, or risk facing penalties.
You may have heard the term ‘waste hierarchy’ before but be unfamiliar with what it means. Could it be as straightforward as ensuring your rubbish is disposed of in a bin? Well, it’s not quite as simple as that.
In a world where sustainability and green practices are prioritised, responsible waste management has become more critical than ever. The waste hierarchy is a ranking system used to order the different waste management options by what is best for the environment. It’s usually visually represented in pyramid form, with the most preferred waste disposal methods depicted at the top and the least preferred at the bottom.
But just what are the different tiers of the waste hierarchy? The team at Woodford Recycling is here to break them down for you.
Prevention
In an ideal world, no waste would be created in the first place. For that reason, first on the list and, therefore, the most preferred option for waste management is to prevent waste altogether. This means taking proactive steps to reduce waste generation right at the source and includes eliminating excess packaging, extending the lifespan of products and adopting efficient production processes.
Reuse
When you reuse old items, not only are you preventing landfill waste, but you’re also preserving natural resources by reducing the demand for new products. Some examples of this include donating old clothes, upcycling unwanted furniture and using refillable containers. As single-use goods are slowly phased out in favour of sustainable alternatives, reusing items has never been easier.
Recycling
You’re probably no stranger to recycling as it’s a common and highly encouraged practice in most households. Recycling is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of waste, transforming it into an entirely new product. Glass, paper, cardboard, most plastics and many other everyday items can be recycled, helping to minimise landfill waste.
Recovery
For materials that can’t be recycled, it may be possible to extract value from them in another way, in the form of waste-to-energy. Examples of this are incinerating non-recyclable waste to generate electricity or composting organic waste into plant food.
Disposal
In some cases, getting rid of your waste in an environmentally friendly way just isn’t possible; for example, when disposing of some hazardous materials, such as certain chemicals or asbestos. As a last resort, landfill disposal is the least sustainable option and, therefore, at the bottom of the waste hierarchy. As of April 2023, it costs £102.10 per tonne of waste disposed of in landfill, making it a harmful disposal method for both the environment and your bottom line.
What does the waste hierarchy mean for my business?
Under the terms of The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, a business ‘must consider the hierarchy when choosing a waste management option for their waste’, and failure to do so may result in financial penalties. You must also acknowledge these regulations when completing your waste transfer notes and sign a declaration that states you have complied with the waste duty of care.
Here at Woodford Recycling, we’re your local waste management experts, providing a range of services to domestic and commercial customers across Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough and beyond. We’re committed to responsible waste management and take our waste duty of care incredibly seriously, deferring to the waste hierarchy at all times.
When you work with us, you know you’re choosing a company that genuinely cares about the environment and takes an eco-friendly approach whenever possible. Contact us today to discuss your needs in more detail or to obtain a free quote.
