Packing crates disposal - recycling problem

robosafe · Post by **robosafe** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:42 am

I all, i have (on a monthly basis) a high number of packing crates (of a very high quality) i have attached pictures of example, now at the moment i pay to dispose of these and they are broken up & disposed of, now i think from a recycling point of view that there must be a better solution for disposal, can anyone offer guidance as to where i may start in finding a more environmental frendly disposal route?

Post by **wendolene26** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:55 am

Hi robosafe,

The company we use for our site/office waste disposal also deal with recycling (as do a lot of these companies these days I would imagine). We use EIS Waste, but they are up in Aberdeen so perhaps not too local for you. Depending on the size of your site and if you have a waste removal contractor already in place it may be worth asking what their recycling options are and take it from there.

EIS's statement on what they do with wood from their website: "Waste Wood Recycling
Clean Timber, pallets and MDF are collected and processed. Material is the shipped for recycling as MDF wood products, Biomass Energy Generation or Animal Bedding."

robosafe · Post by **robosafe** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 8:01 am

Hi wendolene26,
Yes we use a waste disposal company but after discussion with them they havent any disposal route apart from braking the crates & using for things like MDF, but it just seems a shame to me to dispose of in this manner as the crates are of a high quality & i cant help but think they must have a better use to someone??

grim72 · Post by **grim72** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:09 am

I imagine a lot of people could upcycle them into something of use such as raised flower beds etc. Have you tried putting adverts on Gumtree/Ebay etc to see if there would be any interest in people buying them? Just a thought.

Ryan B · Post by **Ryan B** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 4:24 pm

If they come in from a supplier would they not be interested in buying them back as they would have to purchase them from somewhere in the first place?

Blackstone · Post by **Blackstone** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:16 am

Ryan B wrote:If they come in from a supplier would they not be interested in buying them back as they would have to purchase them from somewhere in the first place?

That was going to be my suggestion.

An agreement with the supplier to take them back for reuse.

Maybe something like you send them back they knock of the shipping on subsequent orders?

robosafe · Post by **robosafe** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:59 am

Unfortunately they come in from India so costs to send back would be unfeasible, I would like to give away (current employees etc..) but isn’t this not allowed by EA? I was under the impression that a permit was required to remove waste off site?
If so is there a way around this?

Post by **kevlarion** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:50 am

If it's not waste then it's not under the regulations.
Declare them a product on your inventory system and sell them to your employees (or other customers) for £1, or for a donation to a charity... something that provides a transaction record that shows your company has sold the product.
It's no different than selling pallets for re-use as far as regulations are concerned, so no permit required.

hellequin · Post by **hellequin** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:23 pm

I'm with grim72,

Use of Gumtree of something, sale for allotments, flower beds, etc - schools, allotments, idk where else but plenty of places - if taken care right, maybe even childrens nurseries for the sand pits or something after a refit with edge protection.

Ian Rienewerf · Post by **Ian Rienewerf** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:02 am

Kev is correct - it is only classed as waste if it is destined for disposal.
You would be selling / donating / giving away a servicable item.
e.g. a packing crate, garden planter, flat pack garden shed, fencing panels.

The grey area would be donating the crates for fire wood,
Avoid that, and you should be OK.