Three Changes You Can Make To Get Ahead Of Legislative Change

In our recent blog, we highlighted the major changes on the horizon for waste management, described as a “tsunami of legislation.”

The inclusion of waste in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), rising landfill fees and Scotland’s 2025 biodegradable landfill ban are set to send waves across the industry, and the pressure is on waste handlers to ensure they’re ready.

The impact of legislative and regulatory change is far-reaching. Still, by committing to adapting and innovating sooner rather than later, waste management companies can reduce their reliance on landfills and EfW while increasing sustainability and stabilising costs.

So, what can you do to get ahead?

1. Boost your knowledge
   In the face of such seismic change, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and lose track of exactly what’s to come and how your business and customers will be impacted.
   You must take the time to educate yourself and share knowledge with your wider team and customer base. A wealth of resources is available online, as well as regular conferences and webinars hosted by trade organisations such as CIWM and RMAS and leading sector publications such as Let’s Recycle and MRW.
   These upcoming changes are hot topics, and experts regularly share legislative updates and advice, so make the most of the resources available. In doing so, you can take responsibility for keeping abreast of changes or delegate this to another team member. Information can be shared via internal comms or during ‘lunch and learn’ style sessions to ensure that everyone within the business is well-informed. Knowledge is power, after all.
2. Crunch the numbers
   Legislative change and rising costs often come hand in hand. The inclusion of EfW in the ETS could increase gate fees by £40 per ton—if a handler sends 10,000 tons to EfW per year, costs increase by a staggering £400k per year. The cost of landfill disposal is also set to increase in an effort to discourage the use of landfill sites and promote alternative waste management methods. The current tax of £103.70 is set to rise to £126.15 – a significant change when you consider that gate fees are added on top.
   Use the time between now and the implementation dates to make forecasts and determine the financial impact of changes. Armed with this information, you can explore different ways to stabilise costs – both operationally and those passed onto customers.
3. Audit your supply chain
   Organisations nationwide are attempting to control their Scope 3 emissions—those associated with their supply chain activities—as part of the broader push towards net zero. In the world of waste, this is only accelerating the need to adopt sustainable and ‘cleaner’ waste disposal methods.
   Waste handlers are on the front line, and being at a crossroads of legislative change provides the ideal opportunity to gather accurate data about their behaviours and consider how to reduce their supply chain emissions quickly and cost-effectively.

How can Advetec help?

Our technology offers a ground-breaking approach to treating waste. Advetec’s XO solutions accelerate the breakdown of organic waste, resulting in a 50% reduction in treated waste mass and empowering waste operators to turn the remaining non-recyclable floc into alternative fuels.

Waste handlers can access a more sustainable and cost-effective off-take market, saving up to £30 per ton of waste or a massive £300,000 per year for the average waste handler sending 10,000 tons to EfW each year.

Learn more about our XO technology here.

For more information about how we can help you navigate the changing landscape, contact us to chat with one of our experts.