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TIME WASTER
The concept of a paperless office has been around for some time, but is a paperless bodyshop possible? What can be done to combat this and other waste issues?
Finding and maintaining the right balance has always been the key to any successful bodyshop. The amount of work brought in, the training required, or any cutbacks that may be needed have to be carefully measured to ensure that the bodyshop can cope. Clever waste management can prevent mountains of old bumpers, discarded parts and other waste taking up valuable working space. However, all changes that are made in a bodyshop have to be implemented swiftly to ensure minimum disruption.
The issue of correct waste management is still a cause for concern despite substantial improvements over the past decade. Landfill costs have risen again, to £48 per tonne, and the landfill tax escalator has also been extended until 2014/15 (meaning that landfill costs will eventually reach £80 per tonne). This figure will surely force the hands of reluctant bodyshops and condemn the ones that refuse to change. But where is the best place to start when reorganising the output of waste a bodyshop creates?
Waste providers can help a bodyshop implement simple, efficient controls and measures. Employees have to be open to any change and understand the effects waste has on the bodyshop. ‘As a whole, the attitude with many bodyshops is very old school as very little attention is paid to waste unless something goes wrong,’ said Richard Brown, General Manager, Specialist Waste Recycling (SWR). ‘This approach does not sit well with insurance companies and there is a much higher expectation than ever before.’
A way to ensure that employees follow any new rules and processes is to delegate responsibility to an employee. This means that there is a ‘go-to’ person that can answer questions quickly on site, rather than hassling the bodyshop manager, who may be unreachable. ‘The person can be anyone on the premises,’ said Richard Brown. ‘This also prevents people from passing the buck and pretending that any waste problem is someone else’s fault.’
Harsher rules
The consequences of bad waste management are, like the cost of landfill, escalating. Fines are greater and more businesses are being shut down as a result of harsher rules and regulations. ‘Bad waste management can be much more serious than simply paying over the odds for waste disposal services,’ said Barrie Dudey, Chief Executive, UPD. ‘Good waste processes should offer a combination of waste disposal, on-site recycling and waste recycling in place of disposal.’
The cost of changing all of the waste processes undertaken in any bodyshop can be significant. However, recycling metals does produce a return on investment, and some schemes that entice better waste management practices do offer funding. Shopping around and asking questions can generate the best results.
‘I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask insurance companies and the private sector for funding on work provision to cover the cost to bodyshops,’ said Steve Payne, Director, Bumpers UK. ‘However, tightening legislation will mean greater waste management and that will come at a cost.’
Best practice, such as ensuring no cross-contamination occurs and obtaining certification documents which show that any waste collector is legitimate, is also essential. Unlicensed collectors are still rife, despite government crackdowns, making anyone who the collector supplies liable.
‘Regardless of future legislation, the problem and need for compliance is here today,’ said Graham Gibson, Commercial Director, Avanti AWS. ‘The Duty of Care states that the producer remains responsible until waste reaches its final destination, not when it leaves the premises.’
Current Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has set out plans to encourage people and businesses to sort and recycle more waste to cut greenhouse gases and ensure that more materials get reused. This statement of intent began in 2009, when he said, ‘Food, glass, aluminium and wood – why would any one of them be sent to landfill when they can be recycled or used to make energy? What sort of society would throw aluminium cans worth £550 a tonne when aluminium producers are crying out for raw material?’ A moot point for those who refuse to recycle.
Problem: Plastic waste comes in various forms: bumpers, head lamps, exterior/interior trims and more. However, putting all of it in one place takes up a lot of room as the materials are bulky, how can these be segregated effectively?
Solution: There are waste management companies that allow bodyshops to put all of their plastic into one place. Plastic can also be broken up, meaning that the plastic container will be emptied less – saving time and costs.
Problem: There is too much legislation to keep up with. Every year we see more and more of it and I honestly don’t think anyone is 100% clear on the best practice methods and procedures.
Solution: There are several references of information available from various sources, such as the Environment Agency, NetRegs and Defra. All of these have dedicated help lines and call centres should any bodyshop need assistance or clarification regarding rules and regulations.
Problem: PAS 125 is causing a huge amount of paper wastage due to the necessity to print off every method a bodyshop uses, how can this be avoided?
Solution: Technology is continuing to improve and methods via hand held devices are slowly entering the mainstream market. However, best practice would be to counteract this and set the printer to print double-side – halving the amount of paper used.
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