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Not all FMs prepared for changes in waste law, says PHS Survey
Despite amendments to the EU Landfill Directive in October 2007 just under 50% of Facility Managers are ignorant of their waste responsibilities. The 18th PHS Quarterly FM Survey found that many FM’s are unaware of the new legal obligations on waste producers to “pre-treat” waste sent to landfill (which in most cases means segregating and recycling wherever possible).
The Survey, conducted in August 2007, questioned 200 Facilities Management professionals. Its aim was to investigate organisational awareness of the surge in new and amended waste legislation and how FMs are responding to the challenges that have resulted. It highlighted the need for better preparation concerning new regulations affecting the world of waste management, before any laws or guidance come into effect. Especially so, when there are plenty of websites available to help.
Only 56% of those interviewed were aware that a change in Landfill Law had taken place, which undoubtedly has a knock on effect for their waste management processes and procedures. Of this small majority, 28% knew that they had to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, a quarter knew that they had to recycle wherever possible, 20% knew that they had to segregate waste and only 16% were familiar with the main amendment to the Directive – the need to “pre-treat” waste.
Despite varying degrees of knowledge and understanding, over half of FMs said that they were either still planning for new legislation or were unsure about what they’d be doing about it.
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