The UK shopping centres are under immense pressure to handle and dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner. According to WRAP, these establishments contribute approximately 12% of all industrial and commercial waste.
The main reason for the accumulation of waste in shopping centres is the large volume of people and variety of businesses present in these locations. With a wide range of products and services being offered, a significant amount of waste will inevitably be generated.
Why removing waste is important
Waste management is essential for two significant reasons. Firstly, it helps maintain clean and hygienic surroundings which is necessary for the health and wellbeing of shoppers and employees. Secondly, it minimises the adverse environmental impact of shopping centres.
Types of waste produced in shopping centres
These establishments generate a diverse range of waste, including food and beverage waste, clothing and apparel waste, e-waste such as mobile phones and other electronic items, and glass, plastic and paper rubbish. The type and amount of waste produced by UK shopping centres depends on the size and nature of operations.
Why waste reduction is important in a business
Whether small or large, every single business must have a waste removal plan. Moreover, knowing what to reuse, recycle, and throw away is crucial to any solid waste management plan in shopping centres. Here are the two main types of waste management solutions that shopping centres can deploy:
1. Recycling bins
All shopping centres in the UK have implemented recycling bins to encourage people to dispose of their recyclables properly. These bins allow shoppers and employees to easily dispose of items like aluminium cans, plastic bottles, glass, and food waste, which can be composted.
Using recycling bins reduces pollution and protects the environment by reducing the waste that ends up in landfills. Then there are front load dumpsters, which are a common choice for managing waste in shopping centres. They have a small footprint, allowing them to be placed in various locations, and can be used to separate materials into different waste streams.
2. Compactors
Shopping centres often use large compactors to reduce haulage costs by crushing and packing waste into a smaller volume. To effectively manage compactors it is a good idea to maximise payload per trip.
If the space is limited, small compactor units can compress material and fit it into front load bins. However, it is important to consider weight limitations when packing the dumpster to ensure safe lifting.
This is where the addition of a bin-lifter like the Hiflow®, should be considered to protect employees from lifting injuries. Compacting may save space but it increases the weight of the item that has to be lifted.
How to remove waste from shopping centres
While collecting waste is essential, it is often the “removing” part that attracts more attention. The large volume of food leftovers, beverage containers, plastic and paper packaging, and general waste generated from the shopping centre, requires its employees to make multiple trips to the bins throughout the day.
Filled bins can be challenging and physically demanding to lift and empty into a larger container. This is where a bin lifter can be helpful as it helps lift and move large quantities of waste, often up to 600 kg depending on the model.
Using a bin lifter not only makes waste disposal more efficient and easier but also helps protect workers from disease transmission, pollution, and exposure to hazardous materials. When selecting a bin lifter, it is essential for shopping centres to consider the following factors:
- The size of the bin: Choose a bin size based on the weight and capacity of the waste they generate.
- The frequency of waste collection: If their waste collection workers tip bins frequently (e.g. 2-10 times a day), they may want to consider a hydraulic-powered bin lifter that can do the job.
- The work area and space requirements: There are two types of bin lifters – full-swing (which requires more space and height clearance) and lift-and-tilt (which keeps its lifting motion within the bin lifter’s footprint). Consider which type is most suitable for the work area.
In the future, we will likely see increased adoption of technology that handles all the lifting and loading, such as hydraulic bin lifters. These tools are becoming more popular and could revolutionise waste management and manufacturing industries.
In conclusion
As today’s customers continue to demand more environmentally-conscious practices from businesses, it is increasingly important for UK shopping centres to have a plan to deal with their waste efficiently and responsibly.
Fortunately, that is possible with Simpro Europe as we offer a variety of smart bin lifting solutions specifically tailored to the needs of shopping centres.
These bin lifters can help businesses effectively and economically manage their waste while reducing their environmental impact. Adopting a greener approach has never been easier. Contact us to know more about using bin lifters in shopping centres.
