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Starting 31st March 2025, businesses across England will face new regulations mandating the separation of dry recycling and food waste from general waste. In line with the UK government’s sustainability goals under the Environment Act 2021 , is a pivotal step toward minimising the environmental impact of commercial waste. Under the new regulations, waste must be separated at the source before it is collected. This means businesses are responsible for ensuring recyclable and food waste is sorted appropriately on-site. Additionally, the use of equipment such as macerators and similar food waste treatment devices will no longer be allowed. Key Waste Streams to Separate Businesses must manage their waste according to the following categories: Food Waste: All food waste should be handled sustainably. Dry Mixed Recyclables: This includes paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials. General Waste: Non-recyclable items fall into this category. Businesses that fail to comply with these requirements may face financial penalties, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the new waste management standards. Starting in April 2025, members of the public and other stakeholders will have the ability to report workplaces that fail to comply with these regulations to the Environment Agency. Who Needs to Comply? This legislation applies to businesses, public sector organisations, and third-sector institutions with 10 or more employees. Affected entities include: Restaurants and cafés Offices and co-working spaces Schools and educational institutions Hospitals and healthcare facilities Transport hubs such as train stations and airports Smaller businesses, while not immediately required to comply, are encouraged to adopt these practices early to benefit from cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations are essential for maintaining a safe workplace, especially when dealing with hazardous substances. It is a legal requirement to comply with these regulations to ensure safety. Below, we address some of the most common questions surrounding COSHH to help you understand and comply with these critical safety requirements. COSHH Assessment Does my employer need to provide me with a copy of the COSHH assessment? Yes, employers are required to provide information about the hazards, risks, and control measures related to hazardous substances. If your employer has five or more employees, they must also record the significant findings of the risk assessment, and this record should be accessible for inspection by safety representatives and authorities.

A recent study reveals that despite strict adherence to recommended disinfection protocols in hospitals, microbial contamination persists on high-touch surfaces. Conducted by researchers at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, the study involved sampling 400 high-touch surfaces, such as workstations, breakroom tables, bed rails, resuscitation training dummies, and computer keyboards at nurse’s stations. The analysis […] The post Are Hospital Surfaces Really Clean? appeared first on Spectrum.

Flooring that Shines Maintaining clean floors is a crucial aspect of any cleaning routine, with floors facing significant wear and tear from foot traffic, wheeled equipment, and spills. The challenges of floor cleaning and ways to lighten the workload for cleaners are explored in discussions with various companies. Unlike other surfaces primarily soiled by dust […] The post Flooring that Shines appeared first on Spectrum.

Christmas Opening Times 2023 As the festive season approaches, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support throughout the year. Over the festive period, we will be closed on on the following dates: Christmas Day (Monday 25th December) Boxing Day (Tuesday 26th December) New Year’s Day (Monday 1st January) During these […] The post Christmas Opening Times 2023 appeared first on Spectrum.

The Challenge of Washrooms at Christmas With the holiday season approaching, individuals worldwide are gearing up for Christmas celebrations, social gatherings, and reunions with friends and family. Unfortunately, this festive period also coincides with the heightened risk of colds, the flu, and the emergence of new COVID variants. Lee Radzki from Essity, the manufacturer of […] The post The Challenge of Washrooms at Christmas appeared first on Spectrum.

COVID is on the Rise, Again! The research, spearheaded by Imperial College London, marks the inaugural connection between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on individuals’ hands and frequently touched surfaces, and the subsequent risk of infection among close contacts. These findings underscore the importance of implementing effective measures when someone is infected. Specifically, they advocate for […] The post COVID is on the Rise, Again! appeared first on Spectrum.

Spectrum Does Strictly Get ready to cha-cha for a heartwarming cause, as Spectrum’s dynamic duo, Jo and Matt, shimmy their way onto the dazzling stage of “Strictly Come Dancing”! With less than a fortnight to go, the excitement is palpable as ten dazzling couples prepare to sashay and twirl at the magnificent Scarborough Spa. The […] The post Spectrum Does Strictly appeared first on Spectrum.