Choosing the right waste management company is crucial for any business. With so many options available, how do you determine which waste management company will be a good fit for your operations, and truly deliver on your expectations?
You don’t want to work with a company that has clearly never dealt with your kind of business or waste situation before.
Mistakes in this sector can be costly, disruptive, and even illegal! It requires specialist knowledge and experience to manage waste and recycling appropriately, especially taking into account industry-specific challenges. For example, the operational and compliance requirements vary greatly between hospitals and hotels, large office buildings and shopping malls.
So after you’ve checked if the potential waste management company has up-to-date, relevant accreditation and considered their pricing structures, it’s time to delve a bit deeper.
To support your decision-making process, here are the top five common problems faced by clients of waste management companies.
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Lack of Experience and Reliability
Choosing a company that has been around for a while means that you will avoid unnecessary costs, missed pickups, delays, or improper disposal methods. A company that knows what it’s doing will also be faster and easier to work with – because they can anticipate your needs and provide you with the right advice. Not sure how many wheelie bins you need? Wondering what size skip your project requires? They’ll have the answer.
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Poor Customer Service and Crisis Support
Effective communication and responsive customer service are essential for a smooth waste management process. Unfortunately, many companies fall short in this area, leading to frustration among clients. Lack of support and personal attention (especially during a crisis) can dramatically affect the overall experience of working with a waste management company.
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Limited Range of Services
By law, all businesses are now required to prove that they are disposing of their waste correctly. Whether you need general or hazardous waste disposal, choosing a waste management company that offers all the services you need will save your business time, hassle, and money. And if you are pursuing a Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL) target, it is important to look for a waste reduction specialist who has already successfully implemented ZWTL for other clients.
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Inaccurate Reporting and Data Analytics
As a business, you want to be confident that your waste management company has a robust reporting system, and that you can trust their data. Without this you won’t be able to track your progress, make informed decisions, or actually achieve your waste reduction targets.
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Low Commitment to Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL)
Many waste management companies offer recycling services, but it’s a good idea to find out exactly what these entail. The reality is that if they generate most of their revenue from waste transportation and landfill fees, their efforts won’t be truly aligned with maximum recycling and recovery. Ideally you want a high ZWTL commitment, where the waste management company will make every effort to send minimum waste to landfill – by implementing effective processes, placing the proper equipment on site, and continually investing in training and technology.
If you as a client want to avoid the top five problems mentioned above, it’s always preferable to partner with a waste management company that has been around for a while and knows the ropes. A waste management company that isn’t idealistic, but realistic. A waste management company that can offer you a high quality service at a fair price. A waste management company that will actually meet (or even exceed) your expectations.
If this is what you want, the next step is to find out what to expect from a WastePlan partnership.
