FOCUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
CLEAR ON WASTE
Transparency is key as FMs put environmental targets above compliance, fi nds the latest Waste
Management Survey, carried out by FMJ in partnership with Grundon Waste Management
Managing waste and recycling has
topped the table of priorities for
facilities managers for the fi h year in
a row, according to latest survey results
of an exclusive survey undertaken by
FMJ in partnership with Grundon Waste
Management. Carried out every year since
2018, it is recognised as a benchmark in
highlighting the topics and challenges that
FMs face on a daily basis.
According to the results, now more
than ever, when making a decision about
managing their waste, FMs are demanding
greater transparency in terms of how waste
is treated and they are putting increased
emphasis on understanding a waste
provider’s commitment to environmental
issues.
At the same time, FMs believe their
38 MAY 2022
role in contributing to an organisation’s
environmental targets is now more
important than compliance – which has
slipped out of the top three topics. Nearly
a third said they were now less concerned
about the risk of non-compliance with
regulations than they were previously.
A higher than ever percentage (92.63 per
cent) of respondents now say they believe
their role actively mitigates reputational
or financial risk,
and Owen George,
Grundon’s Divisional
Commercial &
Resource Strategy
Manager, says it
shows FMs are looking for even greater
support to meet sustainability goals.
“I think what we’re really seeing is that a
lot of FMs now see compliance as a given
as they know they are dealing with bona
fide waste companies who are compliant
with the fundamental elements, such
as waste carriers notes and duty of care
documentation,” he says.
“I also think waste management
companies have become a lot better
in explaining waste management and
recycling processes, so FMs have the
comfort of knowing what is happening to
their waste now.
“In terms of needing to hit environmental
targets, the emphasis that businesses
are putting on facilities managers, who
typically have responsibility for utilities
and waste and all the things that generate
carbon, is that we all need to be doing a
lot more.