14 October 2015

How to manage waste in your business

An effective waste management strategy plays a key part in the success of a company such as South Wales-based litho printer Stephens & George (S&G).

This is especially true when managing director Andrew Jones hopes to push turnover up to £30m from £25.3m in 2014/15.

He explains how the company are continuously trying to reduce waste whilst business increases. However, this does not prove easy due to the usage of chemicals and inks as part of their process.

Located in Merthyr Tydfil and established since 1912, the firm specialises in printing brochures and magazines as well as in-house laminating and binding. Jones explains how things have changed dramatically for the family-run firm, from the days when they sent everything to landfill. After seeing that the cost of waste was amounting to £60,000 in 2005, he realised the scale of the problem. He decided there and then to devise a strategy to reduce waste that his staff would get behind as well as work long-term. It is strategy that needs monitoring and reassessing, in order to improve and progress.

S&G decided to continue working with J&G Environmental, who took away the firm's hazardous and print-related waste. These days, "it's everything in between from blankets and chemicals to packaging and rags," explains Jones. He added that he struck a deal with Biffa to start streaming their other waste, into recyclables, paper and landfill.

He admits that it was not easy in the beginning, but that now they’re used to the different coloured bins and their uses. They even put the kitchen waste into their own wormery. Inspections three times a week help keep everything in check and Jones is constantly looking for ways to drive waste costs down even further and maximising return.

Their recent investment in two Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106s has allowed them to increase productivity whilst decrease waste.

S&G have recently signed a five-year deal with Agfa on its Azura TU chemical-free which has reduced water consumption during processing by 95% and saved countless man-hours wasted on cleaning processor units.

The firm has also been working on reducing energy consumption, by using variable speed compressors and more efficient LED lighting. Other ways include using their own Mercedes Sprinter vans and using overnight pallet services, making a big change to delivery costs.

Since 10 years ago, 98.5% of all waste produced at the site is now recycled and S&G has cut its landfill from 1,500 tonnes a year to just five.

Jones adds "We are always looking to better ourselves," with their next project to have solar panels installed on the roof, potentially saving £30,000 a year on electricity.

Jones’ Top Tips

• Staff co-operation – you need to get your staff on board by explaining
• Effective monitoring procedure – make sure you keep an eye on the system
• Keep it simple – the initiative is more likely to work and be kept up
• Research services on the market – choose the best people for your needs and budget