Industrial manufacturing decision-makers’ sustainable intentions have been revealed in a survey by leading sustainable waste management company Biffa.
While most industrial manufacturers (93%) have or plan to implement a sustainability strategy, a staggering 99% say they need more support to achieve their goals.
With new Simpler Recycling legislation set to come into effect on 31 March 2025, standardising material collections for businesses with 10 or more employees, 62% of manufacturers acknowledge its significant impact. However, despite increasing sustainability commitments, financial barriers remain the biggest challenge.
Despite the new regulations, the industrial manufacturing sector’s view on sustainability is positive; more than nine in 10 (93%) either have a sustainability strategy in place, in progress or planned – just 5% have no such strategy.
Over four-fifths (84%) of sustainability decision-makers agreed their business is focused on being part of Britain’s circular economy, and a further four in five (79%) say that it’s important for day-to-day business.
Cost, meanwhile, is the sector’s most significant barrier. Half (49%) say the cost of making changes prevents them from being more sustainable, while a further third (32%) cite increased costs of products and services. Outside of financial strain, a lack of clarity on sustainability metrics (30%) and a lack of company and team commitment (28%) also pose issues.
It’s therefore no surprise that reduction of general waste is the primary focus area for two-thirds (66%), as the more waste that can be recycled, the cheaper a business’ waste management costs.
Just 1% of industrial manufacturers say that no support is needed for the sector to be more sustainable; robust data and reporting (48%), innovation and technology investment (42%) and product life cycle and circular supply chain analysis (41%) were named by manufacturers as the most valuable support types, showing a demand for innovation and investment to drive sustainability for the industry.
To support the sector with its green ambitions, Biffa has released a new whitepaper – ‘What iff you could unlock value from manufacturing waste?’ – to coincide with the launch of its refreshed Manufacturing Waste Solutions proposition.
The guide advises manufacturers on unlocking value from waste to achieve sustainability and commercial goals amid the sector’s pressures. It examines the lifecycle of manufacturing waste, from design to disposal.
Under the proposition, Biffa’s sector experts will embed themselves into an organisation to craft a data-led customer improvement plan based on a detailed business audit, which is guaranteed to deliver savings and added value over the first two years.
Commenting on the findings, Mark Slattery, Manufacturing Waste Expert, Biffa Specialist Services, said: “2025 is set to be a big year for waste legislation, so it’s more crucial than ever that manufacturers collaborate with their waste management and supply chain partners to prepare for changes like Simpler Recycling.
“The good news, though, is that these bills typically give businesses the chance for cost savings. Material segregation and general waste reduction – which industrial manufacturers are already focusing on – offer serious cost efficiencies.
“Our new whitepaper explains how manufacturers can unlock the value of their waste, from packaging tweaks to rebates in trading waste as a commodity. We’re driven by the opportunity to enable the UK’s circular economy, and manufacturers can find their place within it through effective collaboration and optimisation of internal processes.”
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