The European Union suggests that every year 2 billion
tonnes of waste are produced in the Member States,
and this figure is rising steadily. They suggest that the
best solution to this rising mountain of waste is to
prevent its initial production, reintroducing it into the
product cycle by recycling components where there are
ecologically and economically viable methods of doing
so [3]. A growing body of national, European and
international law now regulates the manner in which
wastes are disposed of. These legislative constraints are
enforced by social, fiscal and commercial pressures.
This environmental legislation is making the reduction
and management of waste streams an important issue
even for organisations in the supply chain such as
wholesalers and retailers, who merely ‘pass through’
materials that will ultimately become waste.
Waste management has become a complex area, legally,
technically and commercially. Very few organisations
can still rely on the waste collection services provided
through local authorities as a complete answer to their
waste management obligations. Thus many firms need
to identify and contract one or more reputable,
licensed, specialist companies for the disposal of their
waste, or discharging their legal obligations.