Accreditation game
This avoidance of box ticking extends to accreditations; the ISO 14001 certification is the axis around which many waste disposal strategies should be based, but while accreditation is good place to start when choosing a waste disposal company, it’s not the be all and end all.
“Don’t just rely on it,” says Simon Hopkin, process manager at London-based printer Park Communications. “Conduct a site visit yourself, and get in touch with the Environment Agency. They’ll be able to tell you if any complaints have been made.”
You can also get a pretty good view of a company through your own dealings with them. Make sure that you’re getting all the support you need from your waste management partners, as a good one will make it as painless as possible for you to stay as environmentally sound as possible.
“We’re provided with a multitude of bins for metals, plastics, chemicals, contaminated and uncontaminated waste,” says Eclipse’s Winfield.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on recycling information resource letsrecycle.com to keep tabs on the price that your waste is fetching at the moment, so you know you’re getting a fair deal on the detritus and by-products of your business.
“Remember that your waste company works for you,” says Wallis. “Ask them to do a thorough diagnostic of your business – from general waste to the process waste – and how it could be improved.”
Always keep an eye on what else is on offer, too. It pays to shop around. “During the life of a contract, engage with other providers to ensure that your business is continuing to get best value,” advises Dave Broadway, managing director at CFH Total Document Management.
It might not be outwardly cheap, or necessarily an always smooth ride making the change to being a leaner, greener printer. And it’s not something which can be an afterthought, either. “It’s an ongoing progression,” admits Gater. “You’ve got to want to make the changes to the business.”
Getting it right at fundamental levels seems to be the key to making changes that will reap the most benefit for your business. But anecdotal evidence suggests that print is ready to adapt and change to the challenges and embrace new demands.
“It’s far easier to get users to process their waste now; customers have really bought into it,” says Spreadbury. “They’re bringing their recycling practices which they’ve had at home for ages in to work. Now, instead of just throwing stuff away, they’ll ask ‘what do I do with this?’”
