The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way businesses operate around the world. Almost every company has had to re-evaluate its processes and approach to the new normal. This includes the cleaning and waste management regimes, which have had to become a lot more strict and controlled.
These two facets of business operation are highly important when it comes to minimising the spread of the virus and ensuring the protection of employees and customers. Many companies have had to bolster their cleaning and waste control processes by training staff members and incorporating their protocols into their branding and communications strategies.
This has ensured that staff and customers are well-aware of what the company is doing to meet regulatory requirements and minimise the effects of Covid-19. It can also help to attract new clients and keep employees up-to-date on the latest sanitising and disinfecting requirements. IWESCO is a certified contract cleaning and waste control company that can help other businesses meet these needs.
Medical waste has increased
According to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, all waste generators have the legal responsibility to manage their waste in an environmentally-friendly manner. This means that all companies have to hire waste control and collection companies that use appropriate and eco-friendly methods to deal with waste.
During the pandemic, most businesses have seen a change in their waste type and volumes. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks and rubber gloves have become staples of waste at most offices and ventures around South Africa. Similarly, the volumes of empty sanitiser bottles, hand soaps and discarded wet wipes have increased massively.
This means that the disposal of medical-type waste within commercial and domestic waste streams has forced waste control companies to comply with new regulations. The handling and eradication of medical waste are strictly governed in order to mitigate the risks of infection and further spreading of the virus and similar illnesses. A professional and certified waste control company should be used to deal with this type of refuse.
Waste companies have had to train their staff in the correct handling procedures of medical waste and improve public awareness of the best disposal methods. This helps to protect collection teams and minimise the chances of them coming into contact with infected waste. Waste collectors are exposed to health and safety risks every day, so training and public awareness are absolutely vital.
Protecting waste workers
The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly improved the regulatory frameworks that support and protect waste workers. Before 2020, some health and safety policies were in place but these were not strictly followed by all waste management companies. New laws and industry guidelines have promoted the health and safety of employees - helping to keep these people safe while they take care of South Africa’s waste.
During any pandemic, the waste sector can be a hazardous environment in which to work. This is why companies operating in the industry need to adopt best practices and train their employees properly. All other businesses need to hire waste companies that can demonstrate their compliance with new regulations, mitigate harm to employees and engage in the safe management of waste.
IWESCO is a certified essential service and offers professional waste control for businesses. We hold numerous certifications, including ISO 14001 for environmental management. This ensures that the waste control practices, techniques and equipment that we use remain up-to-date with the latest findings on Covid-19 and environmental protection. To get an obligation-free quote or to set up an online assessment, please contact us today.
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IWESCO offers specialised cleaning and waste control services to industrial and commercial customers in South Africa. These services are aimed at minimising our customers’ impact on the environment. Our services also include pest control, garden maintenance, fogging and disinfecting. Our staff are highly trained to offer the most professional services. IWESCO is a Level 2 B-BBEE supplier with ISO 14001 certification for environmental management.
We are a one-stop shop for all your contract cleaning and waste control needs and have a national footprint. Our head office is located in Tshwane but we can provide services to any industrial and commercial client in the major metropolitan areas around South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mbombela and more.
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