FACILITIES MANAGERS & UNEXPECTED WASTE
Facilities Managers and how they Navigate the Complex Landscape of Bulky Waste Management & Compliance
Speak of ‘waste management,’ and most imagine the routine trash pickups, desk-side garbage cans, and shared recycling stations within office spaces. Often overlooked, though, is the irregular and bulky waste—those larger items that won’t fit into standard trash receptacles, such as malfunctioning electronics, discarded furniture, renovation debris, and dumped items. These items, though irregular, form a sizable chunk of an organization’s total waste.
Modern-day facilities managers grapple with the management of sprawling properties and multifaceted contracts, potentially spanning a wide range of facility-related services. Amidst such complexity, bulky waste management may slide down the priority list, despite its vital importance regarding best practices, innovation, and regulatory compliance.
The Hurdles Bulky waste throws a curveball at facilities managers, as it falls outside regular waste disposal plans. The routine disposal from the standard commercial bins is straightforward. But when it comes to large, irregular waste, piecemeal disposal isn’t practical, nor is storing it on-site for extended periods.
Seeking solutions, some companies may task specialised contractors with hauling the waste to disposal centers. However, such a strategy may not be the best use of valuable resources. It’s more sensible to have a builder construct or a cleaner tidy up than diverting them to waste management.
Many opt for skips or dumpsters, a seemingly logical choice for bulky waste disposal. Yet, they can be costly, sometimes impractical, and at times, hazardous. Skips may not be emptied frequently, leading to unauthorised dumping. In bustling areas, like major city streets, there’s limited space for skips, and they might be deemed eyesores. Moreover, determining the right skip size can be challenging, causing facilities managers to sometimes overpay.
Another trend is hiring local waste removal services, which can be around 20% less expensive than renting skips, without factoring in permits or parking restrictions. However, some of these smaller operations might not meet necessary professional and regulatory standards, posing risks in areas like waste documentation and transportation licensing.
For example, social housing presents its unique bulky waste challenges. As tenants move out, they may leave behind a heap of discarded items. Regular property refurbishments generate a substantial amount of waste, ranging from outdated appliances to discarded fixtures. Moreover, housing areas are often vulnerable to illegal dumping, both by residents and outsiders.
The Stakes Non-compliance can be ruinous. Past incidents have seen companies slapped with hefty fines for illegal dumping due to engaging unqualified waste removal services. The consequences aren’t just financial; there are significant legal repercussions. Illegal dumping or fly-tipping can lead to substantial fines, with culprits facing potential jail time, depending on the court’s jurisdiction.
For larger property portfolios, these challenges are accentuated. Facilities managers must ensure consistency in service standards across broad areas while being attuned to specific local requirements.
The Way Forward In light of these challenges, innovative solutions like Andrews Waste have emerged in places like London, UK. This platform collaborates with certified local waste removal entities to provide facilities managers a cost-effective, compliant, and national solution for bulky waste, complete with disposal documentation and images of each collection.
Mishandling bulky waste can be detrimental to a company’s image and finances, especially as facilities management’s scope expands. The bottom line for facilities managers is ensuring cost efficiency, compliance, and when required, delegating the task to specialists with confidence.
