Introduction to waste management

Waste is anything your business intends to discard, or handles or produces and is not wanted or required.

Good waste management is important for:

• the environment
• your business reputation
• controlling costs of waste
• winning business contracts

Producing excessive amounts of waste is often a sign that your business processes may be inefficient. It is in your interests to identify ways of reducing the amount of waste your business generates. Disposing of waste can have a significant impact on the environment in Northern Ireland.

The amount and type of waste you produce will depend largely on the type of business you operate. For example, manufacturing businesses tend to produce more waste than those in service industries.

This guide is gives you an introduction to understanding your waste responsibilities. It will provide you with an introduction to waste management techniques and give you details of further advice and support to help you comply with waste regulations in Northern Ireland.