Since the UKs Covid-19 lockdown initiated, back in March, Councils, businesses, and individuals have all had to adjust to the new ‘normal’.
There are few areas unaffected by these changes, and the waste recycling industries are one of many that needs consideration.
Disruption
From the start of the lockdown waste services were disrupted due to social distancing and staff absences. In fact, according to a report by ADEPT (the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning, and Transport), at one point, they faced an average 20% reduction in workforce.
During the first few weeks of lockdown, 90% of Household Waste Recycling Centres closed, and a third of Councils stopped collections altogether.
According to the Countryside Alliance, the disruption caused by these closures led to a 300% increase in reported fly-tipping in rural communities.
Positives
The positive side of this is that Veolia and Suez UK, reported that commercial and industrial workplaces, saw a drastic reduction in waste of 50%.
Long term
Long term those businesses are returning, and household waste is likely to remain at a higher rate. With more families at home longer – children eating at home rather than school, and parents furloughed, recycling has increased by 30%.
Andusia foresee this increase remaining at 10%, which will potentially leave local authorities facing large waste bills, a possible (if small) rise in council taxes and an increasing chance of waste ending up in UK landfill.
How we can help
It isn’t all bad news though. What we offer at Rebound Rubber is an opportunity to offset some of these costs and losses, by ensuring that removed EPDM rubber surfacing doesn’t end up part of these statistics.
If you are redeveloping play areas to ensure they are in top condition for children as they return to a sense of normality, then contact us. We can help ensure that little to no virgin rubber gets used in the new area, by recycling your existing surface.