Tough new rules on how businesses deal with waste will be introduced this year and Liverpool BID Company is leading a new pilot support scheme. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool BID Company is heading up a new pilot scheme to help businesses deal with an imminent toughening up of the rules on waste disposal.
From later this year, businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions across the country will have to separate glass bottles and jars, metal food and drink cans, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper and cardboard for recycling.
Food businesses such cafes, restaurants, pubs or other premises preparing or selling food will also have to separate food waste for recycling.
Liverpool is one of five areas of the country taking part in the pilot. It will see Liverpool BID Company, which represents 1,000 levy-paying businesses in the city centre, team up with WRAP, the business recycling support scheme.
It is designed to guide firms through the process, using a new online hub and one-to-one support, to ensure they are adhering to the new rules.
A new website – Business of Recycling hub (BoR hub) – guides businesses through the process. Liverpool BID will support the project through a five step programme that helps businesses to understand the new rules.
Firms will have a duty of care, to carry out a waste audit and an action plan to meet the new regulations, to calculate the savings and cost for their action plan and implement it across their business.
Shaun Holland, director of operations at Liverpool BID Company, said: “With Liverpool’s net zero ambitions it is critical that businesses throughout the city feel confident in their ability to adopt and adapt to any new legislation.
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“Recycling isn’t just good for businesses, it is good for the environment, but we know how confusing it will be.
“We are pleased that this pilot scheme will enable us to identify what works and what additional support our businesses may need to take their recycling to the next level.”
These pilot schemes will allow businesses to evaluate what has worked and what can be improved when the scheme is rolled out nationwide. They will run until April 23.
Waste and recycling advisor Phil Eccles added: “This pilot is designed to ensure that every business knows how the new rules will impact them and support them in their plan to deliver.
“It can be daunting and confusing so this step by step guide will help remove a lot of confusion and demystify the process with tailored one on one support.”