Minimising Waste In The Uk Ceramics Industry

Although waste disposal in the UK ceramics industry is relatively inexpensive - currently about £30/t - the large quantity of waste generated means that waste disposal often costs companies thousands of pounds every year. Scheduled increases in the Landfill Tax, set to reach £15/t by 2004, will drive waste charges even higher. However, it is not simply the cost of disposal that makes waste expensive. Waste costs are like an iceberg, with the disposal charges clearly visible but the full cost hidden from view. In the case of irrecoverable wastage, such as pitcher waste occurring after firing, the real bill is likely to be more than 20 times the simple cost of disposal. Clearly, such hidden expense can significantly reduce profitability.