FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
It is not without challenges but today ’ s environment , where ( for example ) the UK generated some 40.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial ( C & I ) waste in 2020 , demands more . Companies need to be proactive and innovative in moving towards net zero waste .
Whether analysing waste streams , reducing carbon emissions or improving air and water quality , sustainable waste management has incredible environmental , economic and social benefits .
Current landscape
Image : Shutterstock . com . profitable waste management programme . It begins with increasing education so that scrap metal is fairly valued , and then developing a strong collaboration with each company to navigate the currents of change and explore how embracing sustainable practices benefits the environment and drives profit .
However , a company has to be truly ready . Taking these steps means , on the one hand , the inward-focused , complex analysis of waste streams and , on the other , outwardfocused transformational changes that may unexpectedly push it into the forefront as a leader . It must be ready for the limelight .
Workshops in today ’ s sheet metal industry focus on sustainability in varying degrees . Today ’ s plants tend to incorporate more automation , which is timely considering the current shortage of highly qualified labourers . The use of robotics and the latest technology reduces energy consumption .
Still , in many cases , the scrap metal heap continues to grow , creating environmental consequences . Not only is there a growing mound of metal from machinery that ’ s reached its end-oflife , but waste disposal improvement methods are not keeping pace with innovation in other areas .
Additionally , there is enormous misinformation regarding the value of the scrap pile . Even with the technology available today , some companies are unaware of the grade of materials they use and of which they need to dispose — which means they are being cheated as shrewd thieves take advantage .
Metal theft was the single largest threat to the UK ’ s infrastructure and transport systems between 2009 and 2013 , a fact which led to Operation Tornado and the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act ( SMDA ) in the UK .
Waste Mission helped to lead the charge in formalising this licensing mandate for scrap metal dealers , consulting with the British Transport Police and partnering with industry leaders to bring about much-needed changes .
Unfortunately , even ten years after the legislation ’ s introduction , metal owners still need to be protected due to a lack of enforcement plans . Unscrupulous and unregistered dealers continue to operate with impunity and many companies may be unaware of the value of the metal that they hold in their hands .
Today , as metal theft incidents spiral out of control , we remain committed to working alongside industries and manufacturers to tackle the surge in thefts .
The ‘ 2024 Tackling Metal Theft Report ’ offers a solid overview of the problem and addresses how industries and manufacturers can play a major part in helping to prevent scrap metal theft .
When everything is re-used , repaired or recycled , this is known as a circular economy
Changing the game
So , how can the focus be shifted to highlight sustainable steps throughout the production process ? In the ever-evolving sheet metal industry , sustainability is part of any good strategic plan .
We all know that industry margins are tight and efficiency makes a huge difference to the bottom line . Recycling is key to that efficiency , and sheet metal plants are in a great position as , in fact , the raw material with the highest recycling potential is metal . Unlike plastic and glass , the potential uses for re-purposed metals are very high .
In addition to recycling , valuing scrap , selling offcuts and using appropriate metalworking fluids are all necessary to bring maximum efficiency to a waste management programme and affect its sustainability . Consumers are demanding more . Deloitte ’ s ‘ 2023 Sustainable Consumer ’ survey revealed that 30 % of consumers had stopped buying products due to ethical or sustainability-related concerns . Additionally , almost 50 % see circularity ( explained in more detail later ) as essential for buying a product .
With the rising demand for ecofriendly products , businesses must answer the dual call of conscience and commerce .
Waste Mission believes in starting with the root problem and provides a single point of contact to help companies with a clever and
Innovations in waste management
As the industry evolves , so does the quest for innovative waste management solutions and practices that redefine the sheet metal narrative . Sometimes , there are simple ways to take a step towards “ greener ” operations . Powering down machinery when not in use and selecting alternative energy supplies are just a couple of ways to help reduce carbon footprint .
In recent years , waste-to-energy technologies , such as energy recovery , have also been a key strategy in innovative waste management . They involve turning waste into useful heat , electricity or fuel . Combustion , for example , is one method that involves burning waste at high temperatures , helping to reduce carbon emissions , and decreasing the volume of waste sent to landfills . Virtually all of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with steel production are from the carbon dioxide emissions relating to energy consumption .
Anaerobic digestion is another waste-toenergy technology that ferments organic waste and sludge without oxygen . This process
Image : Shutterstock . com .
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