Trade waste

Trade wastes are items that the owner /company wants to get rid of, they are not needed. It is also such waste that are made in business, with various types of production and services. They cannot be thrown away in a standard way - to the trash, they are subject to various procedures leading to their disposal. The car workshop gets rid of, for example, used oil, scrap metal or old tires. Restaurants throw inedible parts of vegetables or leftover food. The clothing manufacturer gets rid of cuttings of materials. Companies constantly strives to minimize waste production(Williams P. T., 2013, p 63-80).

European Waste Catalogue

European Waste Catalogue says us about 20 different groups of waste, the last group includes, among others, segregated waste such as paper, glass and plastic

• Group 01 - Wastes resulting from exploration, mining, dressing and further treatment of minerals and quarry.
• Group 02 - Wastes from agricultural, horticultural, hunting, fishing and aquacultural primary production, food preparation and processing
• Group 03 - Wastes from wood processing and the production of paper, cardboard, pulp, panels, and furniture
• Group 04 - Wastes from the leather, fur and textile industries
• Group 05 - Wastes from petroleum refining, natural gas purification and pyrolytic treatment of coal
• Group 06 - Wastes from inorganic chemical processes
• Group 07 - Wastes from organic chemical processes
• Group 08 - Wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of coatings, adhesives, sealants and printing inks
• Group 09 - Wastes from the photographic industry
• Group 10 - Inorganic wastes from thermal processes
• Group 11 - inorganic metal-containing wastes from metal treatment and coating of metals and non-ferrous hydrometallurgy
• Group 12 - Wastes from shaping and surface treatment of metals and plastics
• Group 13 - Oil wastes (except edible oils)
• Group 14 - Wastes from organic substances used as solvents
• Group 15 - Waste packaging: absorbents, wiping cloths, filter materials and protective clothing not otherwise specified
• Group 16 - Wastes not otherwise specified in the list
• Group 17 - Construction and demolition wastes
• Group 18 - Wastes from human or animal health care and related research (except kitchen and restaurant wastes.
• Group 19 - Waste from waste treatment facilities, off-site wastewater treatment plants and the water industry
• Group 20 - Municipal wastes and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes including separately collected fractions(Williams P. T., 2013, p 5-10).

Legal obligations of the waste producer Each company that produces waste in specified quantities is required to comply with applicable regulations

• Company that produces more than 1 ton of hazardous waste or 5,000 tonnes of ordinary waste must have a permit to produce waste with a certain amount of the type of waste generated during the year
• Company that produces more than 100 kg of hazardous waste must have an approved waste management program
• Company that produces less than 100 kg of hazardous waste must inform relevant government units about waste generation and how they are managed(Asante-Duah D.K., Nagy I.V., 1998, p. 20-25) .

Industrial and commercial waste recycling

Direct recycling

The garbage is recycled at the place where it was made, for example plastic waste is re-melted and used for production, just like broken or deformed glass in a glass factory. Plant waste on the farm is used as a fertilizer for cultivation or feed for farm animals. Construction waste, rubble is often used as a road foundation, or properly recycled is reused - (cleaned brick)

Indirect recycling

Schools and offices produce high amount of paper waste, old books, catalogues, paper cuttings. Restaurants have a lot of glass, plastic packaging and metal cans - everything as a food containers. Companies arrange disposal of that wastes - specialised waste companies collect them and recycle(Bilitewski B, Hardle G., 2013, p. 57-67).

Examples of Trade waste

• Used oil: Used oil is a form of trade waste generated by automotive repair, manufacturing, and industrial facilities. This form of waste is created when oil is used to lubricate and cool machinery, engines, and other equipment. Used oil can contain a variety of contaminants, including metals, fuel additives, and abrasives, which can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.
• Construction and demolition waste: Construction and demolition waste is a form of waste generated by the demolition, construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings and structures. This type of waste typically consists of concrete, asphalt, wood, metal, plastic, and other materials, and can be hazardous if not managed and disposed of correctly.
• Electronics: Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a form of trade waste generated by computers, televisions, and other electronic devices. This type of waste is especially problematic due to its high content of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can be released into the environment if not disposed of properly.
• Paper and cardboard: Paper and cardboard is a common form of trade waste generated by businesses. This form of waste is usually generated by offices, printing facilities, and other businesses that use large quantities of paper. This type of waste is typically recycled, although it can still be hazardous if not managed and disposed of properly.

Advantages of Trade waste

Trade waste has a number of advantages that can help businesses become more efficient and reduce costs. These advantages include:

• Reducing environmental pollution - Trade waste is collected and treated in a way that ensures that it does not pose a threat to the environment. This helps to reduce carbon emissions and other harmful pollutants that can be released into the atmosphere from improper disposal of waste.
• Improving resource efficiency - By capturing and reusing materials from trade waste, businesses can reduce their reliance on new resources, which helps to improve their resource efficiency. This can help to reduce costs and contribute to a more sustainable business model.
• Increasing revenue - Trade waste can be recycled and reused, which can help to increase revenue. This can be done by selling the waste to other businesses or by using it to create new products.
• Generating employment - The collection and processing of trade waste requires personnel, which can create employment opportunities in the local area.
• Enhancing safety - Trade waste is collected and treated in a way that ensures that it does not pose a risk to public safety. This can help to reduce the risk of accidents and other potential hazards.

Limitations of Trade waste

The main limitations of trade waste include:

• The cost of disposal - depending on the type of waste, there may be costs associated with its disposal. For example, hazardous materials require special care and proper disposal, which can be expensive.
• The availability of proper disposal sites - depending on the location and the type of waste, proper disposal sites may not be available.
• The environmental impact - depending on the type of waste, it can have a negative impact on the environment and the health of people living in the area.
• The legal requirements - certain countries have laws and regulations that need to be followed in order to properly dispose of trade waste.

Other approaches related to Trade waste

In order to reduce and manage trade waste, there are several approaches that companies can employ:

• Reuse: Recycling and reusing materials leads to reduced waste and can save money. Companies can use recycled materials in production processes and offer used items to customers.
• Reduce: Companies can reduce their waste production by using more efficient processes, such as cutting down on unnecessary packaging.
• Reorganize: Companies can reorganize their processes to find more efficient ways to reduce and manage waste. This can include improving the organization of production processes and optimizing the distribution of materials and products.
• Recover: Recovering materials from waste can lead to cost savings and help to reduce environmental impacts. Companies can examine their waste streams to identify materials that can be recovered.
• Dispose: Properly disposing of trade waste can reduce environmental impacts and ensure compliance with local regulations. Companies should explore different disposal options to find the most cost-effective and efficient solution.

Overall, there are several approaches companies can employ to reduce and manage trade waste. Reuse, reduce, reorganize, recover, and dispose are all viable solutions depending on the company's needs and circumstances.

Trade waste — recommended articles

Material recovery — Trade effluent — Clean fuel — Secondary activities — Recovered material — Alternative technology — Weep hole — Primary sector of the economy — Tertiary packaging

References

• Asante-Duah D.K., Nagy I.V. (1998) International Trade in Hazardous Wastes, E&Fn Spon, p. 20-25
• Arebey, M., Hannan, M. A., Basri, H., & Abdullah, H. (2009), Solid waste monitoring and management using RFID, GIS and GSM, p. 37-40
• Bilitewski B, Hardle G, (2013), Waste Management, Springer, p.57-67
• Healthcare Waste Management (2016), Healthcare Waste Management Toolkit for Global Fund Practitioners and Policy Makers
• Morrissey, A. J., & Browne, J. (2004), Waste management models and their application to sustainable waste management Waste management, 24(3), 297-308.
• Williams P. T., (2013), Waste Treatment and Disposal, Wiley, p. 63-80

Author: Angelika Zając