First off, I believe as I mentioned earlier that waste minimization should be part of the contract, after that introduce an on site segregation of waste materials, making it easy for recycling. Also the encouraging of site personnel to reuse materials, educating site personnel on the importance of waste management and its part in preserving the natural environment. As many people have the attitude that this is what we’ve always done and there is no harm in it. Getting these people on board is vital in the implementation of waste management as we know it, is achievable only through collective efforts, not just individually.
Site waste management plans (SWMP’s) are now legislated as part of the construction project, it came to effect on the 6th of April 2008, and it only comes into practice if your project is over £300,000. Site waste management plans will help to manage the waste generated on site effectively, its’ aim is to reduce the harm caused by waste to both humans and the environment. It also provides proper management of site materials, helping the company reduce the amount of site waste they produce and by doing so save the company money. SWMP’s has its benefits, just to mention a few:
• Helps avoid prosecution: Meaning you can rest ashore that your waste is being disposed of in a legal manner.
• Time Saving: You will save ample time when being questioned by the local authorities about where and how your waste is disposed off.
• Improves the Environment: Since waste materials are handled responsibly, there is less chance that the environment is affected as a result of your actions.
• Understand and reduce waste disposal costs: An understanding is developed as to how the waste is being managed, and this allows you to identify where you can reduce costs to save money.
• Boosts Reputation: You send a clear message of being serious about saving the environment, and people see that and develop respect for what you are trying to achieve.
• Attracts Business: Because you are keen on saving the environment, it will be an added advantage in the tendering process.
• Learning Curve: After the completion of a few projects while implementing (SWMP’s) you retain vital information to utilize in future projects.
2.2 Benefit Analysis Of Waste Management
Effective waste management immensely benefits ones business by cutting both waste and costs. Companies can benefit from implementing a successful waste management plan and action, such benefits are as follows;
• Money saving on Purchases: Using materials, equipment and packaging efficiently ensures that money is not wasted on excess materials.
• Saving on Waste Disposal Costs: Effective waste management drastically reduces the amount of waste produced, the benefit that arises from this is that you will spend less in waste disposal.
• Meeting Environmental Obligations: Having effective policies and procedures in place kind of make it easy for companies to comply the waste regulations.
• Innovating New Ways Of Income: Waste is becoming a lucrative business, some of your waste generated could be sold to recycling companies to generate income.
Besides the financial and environmental benefits I have mentioned earlier, waste management also benefits peoples’ health. Burning of waste in the past was widely accepted, but according to health agencies, the burning of plastics and other types of waste produces particulate matter. These are solid compounds suspended in the atmosphere, and this may cause heart diseases, respiratory diseases, asthma and emphysema when one is exposed to them. The removal of waste appropriately relocates waste to areas where it can be incinerated or disposed of safely away from the general public, safeguarding them from biohazards and reduces the pest infestation. Another benefit that is often overlooked is waste energy, this is the energy generated from the incineration of waste, that energy is then captured and then utilized to generate electricity.
Disadvantages
The only cons I could think of is that dealing with waste could be harmful to ones’ health, it poses hazards to employees and the residents near by. Employees dealing with the waste directly face numerous health threats, mainly from skin contact via cuts and abrasions, cuts from sharp objects and also oral transmission as in, an employee uses his hand to eat after handling waste material.
Inhalation of dangerous fumes and hazardous chemicals just to mention a few, from these risks arise potential for bacterial infections, tetanus, viruses and skin ailments. Significant amount of investment has to be made for the safety and welfare of the waste handlers, safety precautions has to be in place for the near by residents, as they might be at risk from groundwater contamination and reduced air quality.
Another thing that seems to deter people is the strict regulations due to the inherent dangers from waste management. Rules and regulations from the federal, state and local governments create bureaucratic barriers difficult to penetrate. Putting this aside, they also want to ensure that the facilities in place are up to the required standards. Moreover, landfills have strict laws and rules about where they can be located, types of companies they can cooperate with and also the types of waste they can accept. Also facilities are obliged to monitor air quality and groundwater quality, if any inconsistencies occur, they should be prepared to take appropriate measures to rectify the issues. Despite all this bureaucracy, should a facility ever close, numerous regulations are in place to handle post closure care. “Resistance to new landfills is a significant barrier to entering the waste management industry”. Angela Ogunjimi, Demand media.