How scrapping ‘best before’ labels is reducing food waste

According to the UK climate charity, Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), 70% of the 6.6 million tonnes of food we throw away at home every year could have been eaten. So why isn’t it? It often comes down to ‘best before’ labels…

The good news is that new supermarket initiatives are preventing millions of baskets worth of food from going to waste by ditching the labels and encouraging consumer judgement. As part of their commitment to help customers significantly reduce food waste by 2030, several supermarket giants are phasing out best before dates on their packaging.

Here are some of the steps they’ve already taken: Sainsburys: changed or removed date packaging from more than 1500 fresh produce items Co-op: replaced use by dates with best before dates on own-brand yoghurts Morrisons: ditched use by dates on own-brand milk and encourage consumers to use a “sniff test” to determine safe consumption.

Date labels are required on certain food and beverage products under rules set by the Food Standards Agency but WRAP has condemned best before dates on fruit and vegetables as unnecessary, arguing they encourage perfectly good food to be thrown away.

Best before dates explain the quality of a food item whereas use by dates define food safety. In other words, you should not eat food past its use by date, but you can eat food past its best before date if it looks, smells and taste fine.

Instead of throwing food away as soon as it reaches its best before date, we’re being encouraged to use our own judgement as to whether food is still good to eat, to save edible food from being discarded.

 

In total, the 900 million tonnes of food wasted worldwide every year accounts for around 10% of global carbon emissions, due to the resources required to produce it and the decomposition process.

By simply saving food from landfill where possible, we could easily reduce this weighty amount. WRAP estimates that by removing best before dates from the UK’s 10 most wasted fruit and vegetable items, households would reduce the annual food waste pile by more than 50,000 tonnes.

Protecting our planet needs to be a priority for us all right now and these initiatives are a hugely positive move in the fight against climate change.

As the cost of food rises, we’re all looking for ways to cut back and the best place to start is at home. Make food go further by getting creative with odd ingredients and toasting the last few slices of bread, and you’ll soon start seeing savings on your weekly shop that add up to a substantial amount throughout the month. Common household food items that you can often eat after their best before date include:

· Eggs
· Frozen food
· Bread
· Potatoes
· Canned food
· Cereal
· Baking ingredients like flour and sugar

Reducing food waste is one of the easiest ways we can fight climate change and we all have a role to play. What does your look like?

If you’d like to know more about Chambers Waste Management Solutions, please get in touch.

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

We are  deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  We pass on our heartfelt gratitude for her leadership and unwavering service over the past seventy years.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the royal family at this time.

Reaching new heights!

Always up for a challenge, Chambers employee Sarah Ragless took on the soaring height of a bungee jump to raise money for the Royal Surrey special care baby unit. Sarah raised a massive £760.00 which was matched by Chambers, doubling the final amount to £1,520.00

A special thanks was given by Sarah to:

  • Chris for helping to raise funds within the company
  • Mikey for the words of wisdom!
  • Pete for collecting the money (the hard part!)
  • Peter and Emma Chambers for matching the amount raised

Well done Sarah, we are all very proud of you.

You can find out more about The Royal Surrey Special Baby Care unit here

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Switch to Local – the way forward for eco-friendly waste disposal

Is your business, like so many across the UK, working hard to reduce carbon emissions and help achieve climate change targets?

You might not realise but the way you dispose of waste plays a huge role in your business’ carbon footprint – and the company you use can make all the difference.

So if you operate in Surrey and the surrounding areas, now’s a great time to consider switching to a local, eco-conscious waste management company like Chambers.

You’ll enjoy a truckload of environmental benefits, plus lots of business benefits too.

If your business produces industrial or commercial waste, looking for the most responsible way to deal with it is probably at the top of your agenda.

Our materials recovery plants are designed to ensure stringent segregation is taking place, thus capturing material to ensure that resource that can be recycled is recycled, adhering to the waste hierarchy in the process.

We turn waste that would have been destined for landfill into engineered fuel to generate electricity for use in power stations, helping to reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.

Are you looking to increase your recycling efforts? Recycling is at the heart of our company and we’re proud to say that we recycle 98% of the waste we handle.

We’ll collect your mixed materials and sort them on site into recyclables and non-recyclables to further reduce your environmental impact.

From simple bag collection to more heavy-duty REL (Rear End Loaders), our wide range of containers and services mean that whatever your requirements, you can recycle effectively.

We know you have environmental targets to meet and there are many ways we can help with that – at competitive rates, too!

Our full range includes:

Our entire fleet consists of low emission vehicles and the majority of our work is local, meaning that when we collect your waste, we’re not using unnecessary non-renewable fuel. Our Material Recovery Facilities enable us to separate non-recyclable material from recyclable material, meaning we can collect resources within one container, reducing congestion and carbon emissions further.

To make sure you’re meeting all your environmental commitments, we can offer you a free waste audit. It will save you time and money, plus you’ll benefit from a tailored solution that ensures your company is meeting all obligations.

The wide range of containers we offer also contributes to your low-carbon success. Using the correct container for your requirements helps protect our environment by:

· Preventing pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

· Protecting the health of humans and wildlife

· Helping conserve natural resources

From your very first phone call to the collection of your container, our helpful team are always happy to offer expert advice and find the best solution for your business needs.

“Many thanks for all your help. It’s so nice to have a company that just gets things sorted.”

– Charlotte Hargreaves, Porsche Centre Guildford

By using a local waste management company like us, you’re reducing your carbon footprint and playing a part in moving the country towards Net Zero by 2050. To find our more about the governments Net Zero by 2050 initiative click here

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Jubilee Weekend Opening Hours

An exciting weekend ahead for the Jubilee Celebrations! We wish all our customers a sun-filled, fun-filled bank holiday break. Check out our opening times for both our Runfold and Tipping Facilities. We look forward to resuming business as usual from Monday onwards.

Chambers supports The Green Hub Project for Teens

Chambers is delighted to be able to support the Green Hub Project for Teens with a donation of 15 pairs of steel toe-cap boots to ensure the safety of children whilst engaged at the The Hub.

About The Green Hub Project for Teens

Set in a tranquil, walled garden, the Green Hub Project for Teens is a local community project aimed at promoting the wellbeing of teenagers’ mental health through social and therapeutic horticulture.

In partnership with the GPs, schools, youth agencies and parents, they enable teen referrals to enjoy nature, while gardening alongside and interacting with skilled volunteers and other teenagers.

Their goal is to achieve positive, measurable outcomes for teens’ mental wellbeing, self-love, active lifestyles, social interaction and inclusion, as well as the development and application of a range of useful life skills.

Please support this local charity by visiting their website www.greenhub.org

3 ways to stay green this red, white and blue weekend

Our Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this week and more than 10 million people across the UK are expected to celebrate over the 4-day bank holiday weekend. Are you planning a Platinum party? From sunny street gatherings to late-night pub openings, many of us will be joining in on the fun. But it’s important to be mindful of the environment and keep celebrations sustainable as we mark the special occasion.

Here are some handy tips for doing just that…


Tip #1: Choose eco-friendly tableware and decorations

The sun is out and it’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family over good food and drink. However, even if all the food is eaten, putting on a great spread can result in a whole lot of waste.
The culprit? More often than not… tableware! Wooden cutlery, cardboard plates and paper napkins will likely all end up in the bin just a few hours after being unwrapped. So instead, opt for reusable alternatives wherever possible to cut down on waste that will eventually end up in landfill.

Thought about decorations yet?
You’ll have likely spotted an abundance of red, white and blue décor in the shops (how much union jack bunting have you spied?!). And whilst it certainly helps set the scene, much of this is plastic with a single-use lifespan. Why not pick designs that can be used for other events too? More generic colourful banners and balloons will still bring plenty of life to your event but can be rolled out again for many parties to come.

Even better, you could try your hand at making your own decorations. Find fabric in charity shops and make your own bunting, or get little ones involved in an arts and crafts afternoon!

Tip #2: Keep things local

Another great way to reduce environmental impact is to celebrate locally. The UK will be filled with neighbourhood parties and back garden celebrations, so there should be no shortage of invites near home!
A few eco-friendly benefits of staying local are:
·       You can support local businesses by shopping with them for food and decorations
·       Pollution is reduced when you choose a party location that guests can walk to
·       If you forget something, you can pop back home rather than buying something new

 

Tip #3: As always… reduce, reuse, recycle

Here are some ways to reduce waste this weekend:
·  As mentioned above, reuse decorations at the next celebration
·  Send everyone home with food leftovers – make sure no one leaves empty handed!
·  Wherever you are, designate separate bins for waste and recycling

If you still have rubbish to get rid of, we can help. Our recycling services include:
• Dry mixed wheeled containers
• Glass recycling containers
• Skips available in 5 different sizes

We’re committed to reducing the impact that waste has on our environment, and divert 98% of waste away from landfill at our Materials Recovery Facility.
Contact us today to find out more about any of our services.

Hazardous waste poses fire risk at our Materials Recovery Facility

14 items that ignite when incorrectly binned

Did you know that more than 300 fires happen at waste and recycling plants every year in the UK – often caused by items being disposed of incorrectly? Items such as aerosols and batteries are commonly sent to our Materials Recovery Facility in Slyfield, but these can ignite and put our staff and site at risk.

You can help minimise the risk to human life, business and the environment by making 100% sure that no potentially hazardous items go into our bins, REL containers or sacks.

But this begs the question:
What items are considered potentially hazardous?
We know the rules around waste disposal can be a little confusing so here’s a quick list to remind you.

What materials pose a threat to our facility?

The following types of waste cannot go in any of our bins, REL containers or sacks:

· Hazardous wastes or liquids

· Batteries

· Fuels and oils

· Chemicals

· Electrical equipment

· Paint, resins, thinners or adhesives

· Raw meat or fish

· Asbestos

· Toners

· Explosives

· Gas bottles or canisters

· Radioactive materials

· Nappies

· Animal faeces or cat litter

·  Nappies

·  Animal faeces or cat litter

What makes them hazardous?

Everything on the list above is deemed hazardous by the Environment Agency and must not be disposed of in the same way as general or recycling waste.

If they are, it’s likely that they’ll be handled in ways we would never knowingly treat such items.

They may be compacted, punctured, become wet or get overheated, putting them at risk of igniting.

For example, aerosols contain pressurised liquid or gas that could explode when heated or compacted. Even empty cans must never be punctured as chemical residue could still be inside.

So how should you dispose of hazardous waste?

If you’re dealing with any of the materials mentioned, we can still help!

We provide a collection, treatment, and disposal service either directly or through specialist sub-contractors to ensure your waste is dealt with safely and that you meet all relevant legislation in the process.

If you’re unsure whether your materials are deemed hazardous or would like advice on how to dispose of your waste, please call us on 01483 504595. A member of our team will be happy to advise.

Easter at Chambers

How to avoid an Easter packaging pile-up

The Easter weekend brings countless chocolate eggs, family get-togethers, and a couple of extra days off work. But it also means households create more waste through seasonal packaging, or feel tempted to tackle overdue home improvements – and rubbish can quickly pile up.

Here are some ideas you might find handy this Easter holiday…

Consider booking a skip

With spring in the air and time on your hands, you may find yourself reaching for the gardening gloves – or even (finally!) clearing out the shed.
And take our word for it: there’s nothing worse than using up all your energy getting that done, only to find yourself with another big job just to deal with the waste afterwards.

With 5 sizes available, our skips provide the ideal solution for your soil, gravel, unwanted household items and whatever else you’re disposing of.
Our friendly team offer speedy skip delivery and prompt collection, plus we recover 98% of the materials from a typical domestic skip so you can rest assured you’re choosing a sustainable option.

Get a quote today

Refresh your memory on recycling rules

Our top 3 Easter tips:
1) Packaging from Easter eggs is generally 100% recyclable and can go straight in your recycling bin.
2) Hot cross bun bags remain unrecyclable. So pop them in your general waste bin instead to avoid contaminating recyclables.
3) Don’t forget to collapse all your recycling before disposing of it to free up space in your container.

Wondering how we can help your business over Easter as well as your household?

Whilst our Guildford and Runfold facilities are closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, we remain open on Saturday (7am to 12.30pm) and will continue to provide our regular services for trade customers and construction companies as well as householders.

Here’s a reminder of our services:

Trade waste and recycling
Enjoy your well-deserved break and let us collect and responsibly dispose of your business waste and recycling.
Our range of containers and services include:
• Simple bag collection
• Small-wheeled containers
• REL (rear end loaders) containers

Construction
Bank holidays needn’t mean you lose valuable time. Leave the coordination of your construction waste management to us so you can fully switch off from work.
As well as providing top-of-the-range building materials, you can also count on us to recycle up to 98% of your construction waste.
If you’re about to start a new project, don’t forget our portable toilet hire service is available with speedy delivery. Why not get everything in place before the long weekend?
Find out more

Grab hire
Dealing with even more amounts of inert waste materials than usual? Our grab hire service could be the cost and time-saving solution.
Simply leave your waste in a pile, and our grab lorry drivers will collect it at a time that suits you.
Find out more

Aggregates
Need to stock up on supplies to keep you covered? Our soil washing plant — one of only a handful in the country — recycles over 180,000 tonnes of inert waste every year to offer high quality washed and recycled aggregates.
Our range includes sands, ballast, and capping materials, so you can rely on us for all your aggregate needs.
Find out more

“I have been a customer of Chambers for 3 years and cannot fault them. They’ve never let me down and are always friendly and very professional. They have taken the headache out of my waste problems, so I thank them and highly recommend them!”
The Happy Hedgehog Rescue

Contact us today to find out more about any of our services.