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Coronavirus Safety Policy

Stevenage Skip Hire Ltd - 0800 169 8588

t: 0800 169 8588

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WE ARE OPEN

FOR BUSINESS

Coronavirus Safety Aware

NO physical contact with our drivers during visits

ALL communications and paperwork sent via telephone or email

NO paperwork to be signed

ALL staff are strictly following our
Coronavirus Safety Policy

The increasing problem of plastics in our oceans

The amount of plastic in the oceans of the world is predicted to treble in the next ten years unless affirmative action is taken to deal with the problem, according to a new report just published.

Some experts have warned that plastic is one of the gravest threats facing the seas, as well as flagging other environmental issues such as rising sea levels, warmer oceans and metal and chemical pollution.

Waste overboard! Out of sight, out of mind

For far too many years we have adopted an out of sight, out of mind approach to the problems affecting the seas around the world. The practice of throwing all waste overboard from ships was always a common place activity. I recall being on a holiday cruise and witnessed a vast number of boxes of waste, including bottles, cans and plastics stretching back to the horizon in the wake of the cruise liner. That was just one ship, when you consider the many thousands that navigate the globe every year, you can imagine the vast quantity of waste that ends up in the ocean.

Some of you will have seen a post on social media of plastic in a water filled jar next to jellyfish in another jar, they look almost identicle. This is why so many sea turtles end up eating plastic bags and becoming ill or dying.

We really need to do more to reduce theamount of waste, particularly plastic that enters the sea and the impact it has. Our governments need to identify ways of protecting biodiversity in the seas, only then will the sea and all the diverse life that lives there have a future.

Governments already recognise that the biggest industrial growth in the seas will come from offshore wind, swiftly followed by marine aquaculture and fish processing.

There is a desperate need for more quality and targeted research into the impact waste plastic is having on the ocean. Possibly a good start would happen well away from the shores of our oceans and in our own high streets! We should be aiming for shops that are plastic free in their packaging. No more rolls of plastic bags in the fruit and veg ailes and no more plastic wrapping around meats and other produce. We now have biodegradable products that will break down safely in land fill, water and some that are even edible by marine life and earthworms.

Plastic pollution, which is set to treble between 2015 and 2025 unless we take action fast, has a physical and damaging presence in the oceans, and can accumulate on the coasts or in particular areas of the sea, sometimes remaining in such an area for many years owing to the tidal and current patterns of that location. This build up of plastic can be devastating to the already delicate ecosystem.

Spare a thought for the sea turtle

Many animals have been seen consuming or becoming entangled in plastics. Sea turtles who have grown deformed after getting stuck in the plastic drinks can holders are a common sight in some parts of the ocean. These issues and other physical signs we can see easily, unfortunately we cannot see the toxic effects they have when they break down and end up inside marine organisms and the scientists are still not clear on the long term effects of this.

Although we are still not certain what levels of plastic toxicity is present in the oceans and what harm it is doing, we should still minimise the amount of plastic, both macroplastic and microplastic, going into the marine environment, in order to make sure that if there are toxic effects, those are being dealt with.

Surely the best way to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans should be to prevent it from entering the sea in the first place! Introducing new biodegradable plastics and making the public more aware about marine pollution and protection should be at the forefront of any responsible governments manifesto.

Plastic: The ultimate threat to our oceans

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats facing our oceans, with items ranging from whole plastic bottles to tiny microplastic beads from cosmetics being found in seas all around the world. Individually we may be shocked at plasic bottles ending up in the sea and would never contribute to such a damaging method of waste disposal, but what about micro plastics? Every time we wash our face with an exfoliating scrub or use certain whitening toothpastes, we may be allowing hundreds of thousands of these tiny plastic beads find their way into our river systems and in turn, the oceans, as they are too small to be filtered out at the plants intended to ensure effluent does not end up in the sea.

Should we not take strong action now, the problem will get steadily worse. More research is needed on the many different areas of plastic pollution, but it is already clear that we must end our love affair with throwaway plastic and find alternative packaging solutions which will not harm our wonderfully delicate environment.

Retailers and manufacturers should do more

Retailers and manufacturers should stop using single use plastic from their own brand packaging and the Government could help by introducing a country wide deposit return scheme for all drinks containers to help the reduction of waste plastic. We should all be thinking about reuse and recycle when it comes to all our waste, particularly plastics.

If we could see the damage we are doing to our marine environment, we would be shocked at the terrible impact we are having on our fragile planet.

When you think about it, we know far less about what goes on at the bottom of our deepest oceans than we do about the planet surface of the moon. However, one thing we do know is that nothing lives on the moon, but things do live in our ocean and they are a finite resource and we run a very real risk of losing them forever unless we act fast.


Other Articles on Waste Management and Recycling in Hertfordshire

Hoarding costs you money

Many hoarding behaviours can be put down to past experiences the individual has gone through. This may be periods of abject poverty, that makes them feel the need to hoard items just in case they could be used to good effect at a later stage. It is now thought that hoarding can adversely affect your finances. This may sound like a strange statement to make, but a bad financial situation is something we all want to avoid.

Read more about - Hoarding costs you money...

Time to have a good clearout

We've all been there. Our house has become a little cluttered and we feel the need to have a good tidy up. Many refer to it as a spring clean, but any time of year is a good time to de-clutter our living space. Having a good tidy up not only clears your house, it will help to clear your mind too. Research has shown that living in a cluttered environment can even have adverse effects on a person's sleep.

Read more about - Time to have a good clearout...

Fly tipping: what's the problem in Graveley?

Illegal dumping is the proper name for fly tipping and it is typically distinguished from littering because of the type and amount of material left and the way in which it is disposed of. Fly tipping has always been a problem in Graveley and indeed all over Hertfordshire.

Read more about - Fly tipping: what's the problem in Graveley?...

The waste consequences of Covid

In an age where we are constantly looking for ways to cut down on our waste, it seems strange that so much extra waste has been created by the covid pandemic. The vast majority of this is made from plastic, so surely it could be recycled, but when one considers what it has been used for, it renders it potentially hazardous waste.

Read more about - The waste consequences of Covid...

New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste

When we throw away our waste materials, few of us know or possibly even wonder where this waste will end up. Many often believe that if it goes into the recycling bin, it will be recycled and therefore they will be doing their bit for the good of the environment. Unfortunately, a good deal of plastic waste often ends up in developing countries.

Read more about - New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste...

The problems with waste disposal in Graveley

How many times have we looked at all the waste materials we have accumulated and despaired at the arduous prospect of sorting it into various types of waste to dispose of at the local tip? This once simple task has now become a major headache for many as the restrictions on what we can dispose of in landfill has increased so much in recent times.

Read more about - The problems with waste disposal in Graveley...

Plastic pollution around the globe

Plastic pollution is now one of the biggest environmental concerns we have to face. You may feel that large amounts of plastic waste are unavoidable in the world we live in, but you and your family can help with the plastic pollution issue by being aware of its dangers and taking the necessary steps to reduce your plastic waste.

Read more about - Plastic pollution around the globe...

Carbon emissions and the environment

An awful lot has been said over the years about the damage we are doing to our environment with the carbon emissions and waste we produce. Some dispute the possibility that we are damaging our planet beyond repair, while others state quite clearly that we have very little time to change our ways and that time is running out.

Read more about - Carbon emissions and the environment...

How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Graveley?

We have all heard of recycling our waste materials and for many years, some councils have provided special recycling bins to help residents avoid putting too much waste into landfill. But recycling is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helping keep our environment healthy in Graveley.

Read more about - How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Graveley?...

Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Graveley?

We are constantly being encouraged to recycle our waste materials and not putting them into landfill. However, there appears to be an emerging trend for incineration of waste in many areas, but is this a good or bad step?

Read more about - Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Graveley?...

Single use plastic products in Graveley

Here at Graveley Skip Hire we always recycle as much of your waste as possible, however, there is always more that can be done to improve the environment that we all need to survive.

Read more about - Single use plastic products in Graveley...

A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip

At Graveley Skip Hire we are frequently asked what waste materials can be placed into the hired skips we supply. So we thought it would be a good idea to offer a quick guide as to what is and is not acceptable.

Read more about - A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip...

Recycling your waste materials in Graveley

Recycling is something most of us do now to some degree. Some do it more than others, but we mostly appreciate that it is an important part of our daily lives. It is more important to recycle waste in order to conserve resources and maintain a healthy environment than ever before. The question is, are we really doing everything possible when it comes to recycling our waste materials? The achances are that many of us are probably not doing all we can. So here are a few tips to help you recycle properly.

Read more about - Recycling your waste materials in Graveley...

The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire

Plastic pollution is now one of the biggest environmental concerns we have to face. You may feel that large amounts of plastic waste are unavoidable in the world we live in, but you and your family can help with the plastic pollution issue by being aware of its dangers and taking the necessary steps to reduce your plastic waste.

Read more about - The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire...

Waste reduction in Hertfordshire

The country is now committed to reducing the amount of waste and the government have set targets for waste reduction. A new plan for cutting waste was published back in 2007 that aimed for at least 40 per cent of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2010, this rose to 50 per cent by 2020.

Read more about - Waste reduction in Hertfordshire...

Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled

Massive amounts of packaging waste is being sent overseas to be recycled and turned into new products. However, concerns have been raised that in reality a good deal of it is being dumped in landfill sites in countries that we have no agreement with.

Read more about - Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled...

Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Graveley Skip Hire

We all know that plastic is recyclable, so as long as we put it in the correct bin it will be made into something else useful. Sadly this is a myth that all too many people believe, the painful truth is quite the opposite. We have all seen the triangular set of chasing arrows logo on plastic products and seem to automatically assume that it denotes that the product is recyclable.

Read more about - Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Graveley Skip Hire...

What happens to all the plastic we throw out

Just where would we be without plastic? The production of plastic has exploded over the last fifty or so years, growing from 16.5 million tons in 1964 to 343 million tons in 2014; it is expected to double by 2036. The question is, where does all of this plastic go when people in Hertfordshire throw it away?

Read more about - What happens to all the plastic we throw out...

Fly tipping: A modern day curse

Fly tipping is simply another term used to describe illegal dumping of all manner of waste material, it is also called fly dumping. Whatever term is used, it is the dumping of waste illegally instead of using an authorised method such as kerbside collection or using an authorised rubbish dump. It is the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, including waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste.

Read more about - Fly tipping: A modern day curse...

Recycled plastic for roads and pavements

Plastic use in road and pavement construction is not exactly a new concept, but it does appear to be increasing. Using plastic waste to make plastic roads is definitely on the upward trend. Plastic roads mainly use plastic carrier bags, disposable cups and PET bottles that are collected from landfill sites prior to burial and are a vital part of this construction material.

Read more about - Recycled plastic for roads and pavements...

Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic

Indonesia has a wealth of naturally growing seaweed that can make an edible, water permeable film that can be used in sachets that hold tea, coffee, and hot cocoa as well as a whole host of other useful daily consumable products.

Read more about - Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic...

Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers

A scary statistic is that more than eight million tons of waste plastic ends up in the ocean every single year. If we continue to pollute our oceans at this rate, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 and it can take many years to break down if at all, not to mention the toxins it leaches in the process.

Read more about - Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers...

Ways to reduce your plastic waste

Plastic is a great product in so many ways, but the environmental impact it can have is enormous, particularly when it comes to the single use plastic products we seem to uses on a daily basis in our throw away society. Can we as private individuals do to cut down our personal plastic usage?

Read more about - Ways to reduce your plastic waste...

Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish

Would you like to fill your mouth with plastic, or cover other parts of your anatomy with it on a regular basis? The answer would most likely be a resounding no, but we are already doing just that.

Read more about - Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish...

Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe

Literally thousands of tons of plastic scrap collected for recycling from British households have been transported and dumped on sites across the world. This shocking revelation was revealed from a recent freedom of information request.

Read more about - Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe...

Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire rather than using the local dump

Have you got a load of rubbish to dump? Is it better to hire a skip or use the local dump? Do you need a permit for having a skip? Can anyone apply for a permit? Here are a few answers which could help you when hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire

Read more about - Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire rather than using the local dump...

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your garden waste

No matter what the season, a medium sized Hertfordshire garden can generate a massive amount of waste materials. The winter will leave a lot of dead leaves and twiggs from nearby trees to clear up, and when the warmer months hit, the waste is generated on a weekly basis as things grow rapidly.

Read more about - Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your garden waste...

Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire

Not only does fly tipping blight the Hertfordshire countryside around us, it can have a devastating effect on the wildlife that we co-exist with. Then of course there is the eye watering cost of clearing up the mess that inconsiderate people have created. We all pay the price for this ecologically unsound practice through increased council tax bills from our councils. This could all be avoided if everyone disposed of their waste in the correct manner and hiring a skip is probably the best way to go about this, particularly if you have a large amount of waste to dispose of.

Read more about - Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire...

Some facts about waste and recycling from Graveley Skip Hire

The United Kingdom produces over 100 million tonnes of waste every single year. If you consider that one tonne is about the weight of a small car, it is easy to see how it mounts up. In less than two hours, the waste we produce would fill the Albert Hall.

Read more about - Some facts about waste and recycling from Graveley Skip Hire...

Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip

Using a local Hertfordshire tip is not the same as it was a few years ago. These days everything has to go in the correct hopper, it cannot all go in the same one any longer. This means you have to know what goes where in order to segregate all the rubbish at home.

Read more about - Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip...

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your soil and mud

A Hertfordshire client recently hired one of our skips as they just could not believe how much earth they had to get rid of when they dug out a pond in their back garden. Our client had intended to build up their flower beds and other low spots of their garden with the excavated earth. They never thought they would need to get rid of any earth at all.

Read more about - Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your soil and mud...

Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire

The one question we get asked the most at Graveley Skip Hire is what size skip the customer will need. We always suggest that you think about what you need to dispose of and remember that two skips can be far more expensive than one larger skip. Skips are measured by the yard and range from 3 yard mini skips to roll-on roll-off containers more suitable for higher volume waste requirements.

Read more about - Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire...

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire to save you time effort and money

Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire is without a doubt the best way to get rid of all your waste materials! It is convenient, quick, easy and saves you a huge amount of work. Generally speaking, we only get a couple of days a week away from work, and when you end up ferrying your household waste back and forth from the local tip, your weekend soon gets swallowed up.

Read more about - Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire to save you time effort and money...

The benefits of skip hire from Graveley Skip Hire in Hertfordshire

Having a good clear out of the garden shed or garage produces way more rubbish than you ever imagined possible. Decorating preparation can also produce a good deal of waste, such as old skirting boards and stripped wood chip paper that his been up since the war, so a skip is a great way to dispose of the waste.

Read more about - The benefits of skip hire from Graveley Skip Hire in Hertfordshire...


Further Information

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 0800 169 8588, email us at info@stevenageskiphire.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Stevenage Skip Hire Ltd - Envirowaste Recycling Centre - Jacks Hill - Graveley - Herts SG4 7EQ

Stevenage Skip Hire Ltd
Envirowaste Recycling Centre
Jacks Hill
Graveley
Herts SG4 7EQ

Articles
Hoarding costs you money
Time to have a good clearout
Fly tipping: what's the problem in Graveley?
The waste consequences of Covid
New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste
The problems with waste disposal in Graveley
Plastic pollution around the globe
Carbon emissions and the environment
How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Graveley?
Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Graveley?
Single use plastic products in Graveley
A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip
Recycling your waste materials in Graveley
The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire
Waste reduction in Hertfordshire
Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled
Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Graveley Skip Hire
What happens to all the plastic we throw out
Fly tipping: A modern day curse
Recycled plastic for roads and pavements
Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic
The increasing problem of plastics in our oceans
Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers
Ways to reduce your plastic waste
Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish
Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe
Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire rather than using the local dump
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your garden waste
Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire
Some facts about waste and recycling from Graveley Skip Hire
Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your soil and mud
Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire to save you time effort and money
The benefits of skip hire from Graveley Skip Hire in Hertfordshire
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