Waste Management Costs Continue To Rise

As we see the introduction of ever more “green” regulations, the direct cost of these changes is being borne by industry, with the consumer unwilling to take on an increased burden. The Skip Hire industry is one such area of commerce which has been hit with increased Health and Safety issues and Waste Management considerations, forcing many companies to merge or increase their investment funding. Many have taken out Commercial Mortgage to meet increased investment requirements, with the current boom time in the industry vital to cash flow.

Even though the Skip Hire industry has long been a vital cog in the waste management industry, there are signs that the industry may be contracting into more large companies, rather than the current structure of many independents. Insurance costs have also increased for Skip leasing, with insurers now requiring increased safety aspects to ensure limited liability in the even of an accident. Skip locks, Skip lights, Skip nets, Skip ramps and Safety Clothing are all helping to secure the areas in which skips is located, as well as reducing insurance premiums for the suppliers.

The “green” issue is at the forefront of most governments throughout the world, and laws seem to be tightening all of the time. The reduced number of land fill sites available has resulted in a forced requirement to recycle more and more waste. As the waste from skips is not always easy to separate, many firms have now taken delivery of their own Screen Trommels which can carry out the separation process. The Trommel is a rotating cylinder which separates the different types of waste by size, and delivers them separately. This allows certain materials to be recycled, sold on or at worst sent to land fill sites.

As the “green” movement gathers pace, there may come a day when land fill sites are not available, or so expensive that they are not viable. What will the business sector do then?