Commercial disposal of waste

Commercial and Industrial Disposal of Waste

Waste bins and skips are becoming a very popular target for arsonists especially over holiday and night time periods. By taking some simple precautions you can prevent your property from being a 'soft target' and expensive inconvenience can be avoided. Don't let your business become another fire statistic and don't let your property present a 'soft target'.

By taking some simple precautions, expensive inconvenience can be avoided.

Here are some simple guidelines to assist you...

Manage the Disposal of Waste:

Don't allow rubbish to build up around your premises.
Clean up on a regular basis.
Do not obstruct fire exits with rubbish; it may be YOU who needs to escape via that route.

Collection of Waste:

Make arrangements with the waste disposal companies to collect and dispose of your waste before the commencement of holiday periods. 

Frequency of Collection:

Monitor the frequency of collections.  Are they sufficient or does waste produced exceed the capacity of the bins/skips provided?  If it does, don't order more bins/skips; arrange for more frequent collections.

Storage of Waste:

Where possible restrict access to where waste is stored.

Try not to encourage people to come onto your property.

Keep temptation out of sight.

Choose where you locate your bin/skip.

Use containers made of non-combustible material.

Ensure the rubbish containers are never overfilled and are securely shut.

Install security devices such as cameras, lighting or alarms in storage areas.

DO NOT  site them close to your buildings and have a minimum of 3 metres between skips.

Metal bins don't add to the fire as they don't burn and the rubber lid distorts and sometimes
seals the top of the bin thus the fire is starved of oxygen.

Where possible, restrict access to where waste is stored. Try not to encourage people to come onto your property. Keep temptation out of sight.

Companies with large volumes of waste paper and cardboard packaging should consider using a compactor instead of a vulnerable open skip.

Why not consider joining with other retailers or occupiers to jointly implement these measures.

Replacement cost.

Following a bin/skip fire, your company could be responsible for the repair or replacement of the bin/skip - a cost of £100 - £2,500.