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WE ARE OPEN

FOR BUSINESS

Coronavirus Safety Aware
NO physical contact with our drivers during visits
ALL communications and paperwork sent via telephone or email
NO paperwork to be signed
ALL staff are strictly following our Coronavirus Safety Policy

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The waste consequences of Covid

Waste from PPE and other Covid related products

In an age where we are constantly looking for ways to cut down on our waste, it seems strange that so much extra waste has been created by the covid pandemic.

Plastic straws are being targeted as a major cause for concern, as are one use cups and other such consumables, but what of the masses of testing paraphernalia that is being thrown into our waste now?

The vast majority of this is made from plastic, so surely it could be recycled, but when one considers what it has been used for, it renders it potentially hazardous waste.

However, the waste doesn't end at test kits, there are face masks, surgical gloves and the bags being used to dispose of them. Add to these the plastic aprons used in hospitals and by carers on a daily basis and you will begin to understand how unsustainable the problem of plastic waste has become.

Plastic aprons and gloves as an example of serious waste

Although not all waste can be attributed to the pandemic, it certainly hasn't made the situation any better. Assume you have someone in your family who requires daily care. This may be owing to a physical or neurological condition.

If two carers call four times per day, they will each use at least one apron and one pair of gloves on each visit. These will be disposed of at the end of each session. Multiply this by the number of other patients they see in the average day, and you will begin to appreciate that even a relatively small care company can begin to generate a mountain of plastic waste. Then consider a large hospital with the same practice of fresh PPE with each and every patient in their care and the amount of waste becomes absolutely mind boggling.

Check out what the government have instructed us to do with regard to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and imagine the ever-increasing mountain of waste we are now facing due to covid.

Much of this waste will end up in landfill and like much of the plastic waste already there, could release toxins into the water course, which could not only pollute our rivers, but also make it out to sea.

Reusing and safely disposing of face coverings and PPE

Of course, you could always make a cloth face covering to cut down on the amount of waste that will find its way to landfill, but this will be a drop in the ocean, no pun intended!.

You should wash and reuse cloth face coverings to prevent and reduce waste, but think about how many more wash cycles and detergent will be used by the average family in a week if they stick to the guidelines on how frequently face coverings should be laundered.

The government suggest that if you need to throw away used face coverings or PPE, such as gloves, you should dispose of them in your black bag waste bin at home or at work, or a litter bin if you're outside.

You should not put them in a recycling bin as they cannot be recycled through conventional recycling facilities and you should take them home with you if there is no litter bin, so as to avoid them adding to the litter problem.

Assuming nobody who used the PPE or testing products is positive, you do not need to put them in an extra bag, or store them for a time before throwing them away. But what about if there is a positive case detected?

Disposing of face coverings or PPE if you or a family member are self-isolating

Here the advice changes slightly, but the amount of extra waste created is quite substantial. The advice is that if you or members of your household are self-isolating and need to dispose of any used face coverings or PPE, you should double bag them and store them for seventy-two hours before putting them in a black bag waste bin.

After you remove your PPE or face covering, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser. Still, at least hand sanitiser bottles can be recycled.

Disposing of rapid lateral flow home test kits

If you're doing a home rapid lateral flow test, you should dispose of the used rapid lateral flow kit in your waste bin at home or at work. Used test kit items could include the swab, the test strip, the sachet and the extraction tube. However, not all kits contain the same materials and most also have an assortment of soft plastic zip top bags included for sanitary disposal following the testing procedure.

Fortunately, you can still separate the used rapid lateral flow kit from any recyclable material and recycle it, if possible. Recyclable material could include the cardboard packaging, cardboard tube holder and the paper instruction booklet.

Covid waste sees a shift of perspective

Following a great deal of pressure and complaining from people who are concerned about the environmental impact of the level of covid generated waste, medical face masks could be turned into curtains or bedsheets.

The government health minister Edward Argar said the Department of Health and Social Care was also considering how to recycle materials in Covid test kits.

A study published last year found 8 million tonnes of pandemic plastic waste had been generated worldwide.

The huge cost of PPE during the pandemic

The British government has written off £8.7bn spent on PPE during the pandemic.

It has also been criticised for some deals which saw equipment bought which was found to be faulty or unsuitable for use in the NHS.

In response to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, Mr Argar said the government was looking at ways of recycling face masks and other personal protective equipment.

The government are apparently reviewing the potential of reusable Type IIR, which are medical grade masks in acute settings, using existing laundry services to reduce the need for single-use products.

These types of masks would be recycled into curtains, mattress covers or other products.

The government also plan to pilot reusable eye protection where the product can be recycled at the end of its life. They claim to have already recycled twenty-two million visors to make plastic containers, which can be used to store food items and will also be recyclable.

Even the NHS Test and Trace are exploring alternatives to current test devices, which would be safe, effective and made of predominantly recyclable or biodegradable materials.

How large is the covid waste issue?

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated more than eight million tonnes of plastic waste globally, with over 25,000 tonnes of it entering the oceans, according to a recent study. This study found that a significant portion of this ocean plastic debris is expected to make its way onto either beaches or the seabed within three to four years. Imagine the damage it will do to marine life during the time it is floating and the continuing damage once sunk and breaking down slowly over time.

A smaller portion will go into the open ocean, eventually to be trapped in the centres of ocean basins, which can become rubbish dumps, and accumulate in the Arctic Ocean.

It was noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for single-use plastics such as face masks, gloves, and face shields.

Rivers and oceans at risk

The resulting waste, some of which ends up in rivers and oceans, is increasing the pressure on an already out-of-control global plastic problem.

The researchers used a newly developed ocean plastic numerical model to quantify the impact of the pandemic on plastic discharge from land sources.

The model simulates how the seawater moves, driven by the wind and how the plastics float on the surface of the ocean, becoming degraded by the sunlight, washing up on beaches, and sinking to the ocean floor.

The researchers found that most of the global plastic waste from the pandemic is entering the ocean from rivers. This makes sense as some major rivers are used to transport the plastic waste.

Asian rivers bear the brunt of the problem

Asian rivers account for about seventy three percent of the total discharge of plastics, with the top three rivers being the Shatt al-Arab, Indus, and Yangtze, which discharge into the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and East China Sea.

According to the study, European rivers account for eleven percent of the waste, with minor contributions from other continents.

While most of the pandemic-associated plastics are expected to settle on beaches and the seafloor, a smaller amount will likely end up circulating or settling in the Arctic Ocean.

The model shows that about eighty percent of the plastic debris that makes it into the Arctic Ocean will sink quickly, and a circumpolar plastic accumulation zone is modelled to form by 2025.

Arctic ecosystem as risk

It is understood that the Arctic ecosystem is already considered to be particularly vulnerable due to the harsh environment and high sensitivity to climate change.

To combat the influx of plastic waste into the oceans, the researchers urge for better management of medical waste in epicentres, especially in developing countries.

The researchers called for global public awareness of the environmental impact of personal protection equipment (PPE) and other plastic products.

The researchers also emphasised a need for more development of innovative technologies for better plastic waste collection, classification, treatment, and recycling, and development of more environmentally friendly materials.

So, if we are doing away with plastic drinking straws and even making other former one-use products from sustainable sources such as seaweed and bamboo, we really should be thinking of better ways of not only manufacturing, but how to dispose or recycle the products used throughout the pandemic.

Hoarding costs you money

Many hoarding behaviours can be put down to past experiences the individual has gone through. This may be periods of abject poverty, that makes them feel the need to hoard items just in case they could be used to good effect at a later stage. It is now thought that hoarding can adversely affect your finances. This may sound like a strange statement to make, but a bad financial situation is something we all want to avoid.

Time to have a good clearout

We've all been there. Our house has become a little cluttered and we feel the need to have a good tidy up. Many refer to it as a spring clean, but any time of year is a good time to de-clutter our living space. Having a good tidy up not only clears your house, it will help to clear your mind too. Research has shown that living in a cluttered environment can even have adverse effects on a person's sleep.

Fly tipping: what's the problem in Knebworth?

Illegal dumping is the proper name for fly tipping and it is typically distinguished from littering because of the type and amount of material left and the way in which it is disposed of. Fly tipping has always been a problem in Knebworth and indeed all over Hertfordshire.

New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste

When we throw away our waste materials, few of us know or possibly even wonder where this waste will end up. Many often believe that if it goes into the recycling bin, it will be recycled and therefore they will be doing their bit for the good of the environment. Unfortunately, a good deal of plastic waste often ends up in developing countries.

The problems with waste disposal in Knebworth

How many times have we looked at all the waste materials we have accumulated and despaired at the arduous prospect of sorting it into various types of waste to dispose of at the local tip? This once simple task has now become a major headache for many as the restrictions on what we can dispose of in landfill has increased so much in recent times.

Plastic pollution around the globe

Plastic pollution is now one of the biggest environmental concerns we have to face. You may feel that large amounts of plastic waste are unavoidable in the world we live in, but you and your family can help with the plastic pollution issue by being aware of its dangers and taking the necessary steps to reduce your plastic waste.

Carbon emissions and the environment

An awful lot has been said over the years about the damage we are doing to our environment with the carbon emissions and waste we produce. Some dispute the possibility that we are damaging our planet beyond repair, while others state quite clearly that we have very little time to change our ways and that time is running out.

How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Knebworth?

We have all heard of recycling our waste materials and for many years, some councils have provided special recycling bins to help residents avoid putting too much waste into landfill. But recycling is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helping keep our environment healthy in Knebworth.

Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Knebworth?

We are constantly being encouraged to recycle our waste materials and not putting them into landfill. However, there appears to be an emerging trend for incineration of waste in many areas, but is this a good or bad step?

Single use plastic products in Knebworth

Here at Knebworth Skip Hire we always recycle as much of your waste as possible, however, there is always more that can be done to improve the environment that we all need to survive.

A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip

At Knebworth Skip Hire we are frequently asked what waste materials can be placed into the hired skips we supply. So we thought it would be a good idea to offer a quick guide as to what is and is not acceptable.

Recycling your waste materials in Knebworth

Recycling is something most of us do now to some degree. Some do it more than others, but we mostly appreciate that it is an important part of our daily lives. It is more important to recycle waste in order to conserve resources and maintain a healthy environment than ever before. The question is, are we really doing everything possible when it comes to recycling our waste materials? The achances are that many of us are probably not doing all we can. So here are a few tips to help you recycle properly.

The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire

Waste reduction in Hertfordshire

The country is now committed to reducing the amount of waste and the government have set targets for waste reduction. A new plan for cutting waste was published back in 2007 that aimed for at least 40 per cent of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2010, this rose to 50 per cent by 2020.

Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled

Massive amounts of packaging waste is being sent overseas to be recycled and turned into new products. However, concerns have been raised that in reality a good deal of it is being dumped in landfill sites in countries that we have no agreement with.

Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Knebworth Skip Hire

We all know that plastic is recyclable, so as long as we put it in the correct bin it will be made into something else useful. Sadly this is a myth that all too many people believe, the painful truth is quite the opposite. We have all seen the triangular set of chasing arrows logo on plastic products and seem to automatically assume that it denotes that the product is recyclable.

What happens to all the plastic we throw out

Just where would we be without plastic? The production of plastic has exploded over the last fifty or so years, growing from 16.5 million tons in 1964 to 343 million tons in 2014; it is expected to double by 2036. The question is, where does all of this plastic go when people in Hertfordshire throw it away?

Fly tipping: A modern day curse

Fly tipping is simply another term used to describe illegal dumping of all manner of waste material, it is also called fly dumping. Whatever term is used, it is the dumping of waste illegally instead of using an authorised method such as kerbside collection or using an authorised rubbish dump. It is the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, including waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste.

Recycled plastic for roads and pavements

Plastic use in road and pavement construction is not exactly a new concept, but it does appear to be increasing. Using plastic waste to make plastic roads is definitely on the upward trend. Plastic roads mainly use plastic carrier bags, disposable cups and PET bottles that are collected from landfill sites prior to burial and are a vital part of this construction material.

Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic

Indonesia has a wealth of naturally growing seaweed that can make an edible, water permeable film that can be used in sachets that hold tea, coffee, and hot cocoa as well as a whole host of other useful daily consumable products.

The increasing problem of plastics in our oceans

The amount of plastic in the oceans of the world is predicted to treble in the next ten years unless affirmative action is taken to deal with the problem, according to a new report just published.

Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers

A scary statistic is that more than eight million tons of waste plastic ends up in the ocean every single year. If we continue to pollute our oceans at this rate, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 and it can take many years to break down if at all, not to mention the toxins it leaches in the process.

Ways to reduce your plastic waste

Plastic is a great product in so many ways, but the environmental impact it can have is enormous, particularly when it comes to the single use plastic products we seem to uses on a daily basis in our throw away society. Can we as private individuals do to cut down our personal plastic usage?

Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish

Would you like to fill your mouth with plastic, or cover other parts of your anatomy with it on a regular basis? The answer would most likely be a resounding no, but we are already doing just that.

Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe

Literally thousands of tons of plastic scrap collected for recycling from British households have been transported and dumped on sites across the world. This shocking revelation was revealed from a recent freedom of information request.

Hiring a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire rather than using the local dump

Have you got a load of rubbish to dump? Is it better to hire a skip or use the local dump? Do you need a permit for having a skip? Can anyone apply for a permit? Here are a few answers which could help you when hiring a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire

Hire a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire for your garden waste

No matter what the season, a medium sized Hertfordshire garden can generate a massive amount of waste materials. The winter will leave a lot of dead leaves and twiggs from nearby trees to clear up, and when the warmer months hit, the waste is generated on a weekly basis as things grow rapidly.

Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire

Not only does fly tipping blight the Hertfordshire countryside around us, it can have a devastating effect on the wildlife that we co-exist with. Then of course there is the eye watering cost of clearing up the mess that inconsiderate people have created. We all pay the price for this ecologically unsound practice through increased council tax bills from our councils. This could all be avoided if everyone disposed of their waste in the correct manner and hiring a skip is probably the best way to go about this, particularly if you have a large amount of waste to dispose of.

Some facts about waste and recycling from Knebworth Skip Hire

The United Kingdom produces over 100 million tonnes of waste every single year. If you consider that one tonne is about the weight of a small car, it is easy to see how it mounts up. In less than two hours, the waste we produce would fill the Albert Hall.

Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip

Using a local Hertfordshire tip is not the same as it was a few years ago. These days everything has to go in the correct hopper, it cannot all go in the same one any longer. This means you have to know what goes where in order to segregate all the rubbish at home.

Hire a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire for your soil and mud

A Hertfordshire client recently hired one of our skips as they just could not believe how much earth they had to get rid of when they dug out a pond in their back garden. Our client had intended to build up their flower beds and other low spots of their garden with the excavated earth. They never thought they would need to get rid of any earth at all.

Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire

The one question we get asked the most at Knebworth Skip Hire is what size skip the customer will need. We always suggest that you think about what you need to dispose of and remember that two skips can be far more expensive than one larger skip. Skips are measured by the yard and range from 3 yard mini skips to roll-on roll-off containers more suitable for higher volume waste requirements.

Hire a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire to save you time effort and money

Hiring a skip from Knebworth Skip Hire is without a doubt the best way to get rid of all your waste materials! It is convenient, quick, easy and saves you a huge amount of work. Generally speaking, we only get a couple of days a week away from work, and when you end up ferrying your household waste back and forth from the local tip, your weekend soon gets swallowed up.

The benefits of skip hire from Knebworth Skip Hire in Hertfordshire

Having a good clear out of the garden shed or garage produces way more rubbish than you ever imagined possible. Decorating preparation can also produce a good deal of waste, such as old skirting boards and stripped wood chip paper that his been up since the war, so a skip is a great way to dispose of the waste.

Further Information

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 0800 169 8588, email us at info@stevenageskiphire.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.