Sustainability and CSR – what can we expect in 2016?

By Remsol Limited

14 Jan 2016

Now that 2015 has drawn to a close, many of us are preoccupied with wondering what 2016 might hold. Here are some of our thoughts, along with the views of a selection of other sustainability and waste management professionals.

Food waste

It's likely we'll see increased pressure to reduce the quantity of food being discarded at home, in supermarkets and in the food production sector.

Recyclables

Neil Baldwin, head of sales and business development at Network Waste, says: "Commodity markets slid in 2015, and although I'd expect them to level out, I still think businesses are going to have to delve deeper into 'circular economy' thinking in order to find value.

Circular Economy

"In the meantime, major manufacturers will continue to claim circular economy leadership roles whilst increasing linear, non-sustainable, resource use.

"Concerned professionals and other citizens around the world will be developing and sharing practical solutions, in an effort to counter government inabilities to manage waste."

Household waste

In household waste, it's likely we'll see other councils trial monthly collections of residual waste, just like they are in Fife, in an effort to cut costs.

From waste to resource

"This vital paradigm shift from 'waste' to 'resource' has been talked about for the best part of two decades, but is seldom done properly. In particular, we need to stop obsessing on supply (eg recycling targets) and focus on the demand side - demand alone will drive up volumes, quality and cost-effectiveness, closing those loops.

Landfill rates

Compost Like Output (CLO), and other similar biosolids from Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities - often used in land reclamation - could also find themselves in landfill this year in some instances.

Gate fees

AD and composting operators, already reported to be struggling to source sufficient feedstock, are likely to continue slugging-it-out with low gate fees in order to compete for organic waste.

With energy costs, in general, being lower in 2015 than they have for many years (partly as a result of the depressed price of oil, coupled with lower costs of coal and gas as a consequence of particularly mild weather) the operating costs of many waste handling processes can reasonably be expected to have fallen, with canny waste producers well positioned to use this in their negotiating strategies.

Transport costs

With the global slump in the price of oil showing no signs of recovery, the costs of waste collection should also reasonably be expected to fall.

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR

"My personal view at the time the storm broke remains unchanged: immense good will come from it in the form of a renewed focus in 2016 and beyond on hybrid and electric vehicles where emissions are at worst displaced and in many cases environmental performance is significantly enhanced."  

Enjoyed this? Read more from Remsol Limited

Latest news

1

Businesses encouraged to access funded support service as Boost assists over 2,000 Lancashire companies LCM team

Businesses encouraged to access funded support service as Boost assists over 2,000 Lancashire companies

16 Jun 2025

2

Business figures recognised on King's Birthday Honours list Ram Gupta and Kate Shane

Business figures recognised on King's Birthday Honours list

16 Jun 2025

3

Buyer sought for former nursing home Former Rossendale nursing home

Buyer sought for former nursing home

16 Jun 2025

4

Easthams acquired by growing national agency Matthew Light

Easthams acquired by growing national agency

16 Jun 2025

5

Transformation takes off for aerospace engineers after Made Smarter supports investment Work at Airframe Designs

Transformation takes off for aerospace engineers after Made Smarter supports investment

12 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025
MMW.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025

St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, PR5 5XU

18:00 - 23:00

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
23 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025

FGH Training 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park,, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 16:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin