[Lee Burbidge]

Plastics - microplastics particularly are finding there way into our food chain. It is a problem not just for the environment and coastlines that we see daily on TV strewn with plastic bottles and bags, but will be a problem for our children's, children too.

It is very hard to escape plastic, it is everywhere from the work van you drive to that new water fed pole brush you have just purchased, to the resin you use in polishing off pure water.

How easy do you think it is to reduce the plastic use in your company? Or re-purpose plastics?

I am interested genuinely in views, thoughts...  I would like to know how others view their waste management of mixed bed resin?

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

it goes in the bin as ive a life and have more to worrie about then this , if you had spent a lot of time in the usa like me the last 6 months you will understand that northing we do we help one bit when you see what they do in just one city like new york , 26 tonnes of rubbish get thrown out a minute over there so if you want to change any thing get your self over there

[Lee Burbidge]

it goes in the bin as ive a life and have more to worrie about then this , if you had spent a lot of time in the usa like me the last 6 months you will understand that northing we do we help one bit when you see what they do in just one city like new york , 26 tonnes of rubbish get thrown out a minute over there so if you want to change any thing get your self over there

Personally, my usage and company usage of plastics is something I am considering and looking at improving. What can I do as an individual?

I think opening a debate like this is healthy also within our own industry.

By doing so, I hope to learn and share what others views are and take them on board and to learn what others are considering or are doing.

I understand your argument. But personally, I want to look further than 'just throw it in the bin' to see if there is anything else I could be doing, if doing anything at all ( like you)

[Elfyn]

I pop mine into the plactic recycling.

[Lee Burbidge]

I pop mine into the plactic recycling.

Hey, that's a good idea. In another group, one person suggests the following: 
"Think it would be great if a company could send out free post bags to send our depleted resin.
They could re-generate it and re-sell it, I’d happily leave mine to dry out and post it"

Now, I'm not sure how costly that might be or even possible... but demonstrates exactly what I said earlier. People have ideas.

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

[Soupy]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

[Lee Burbidge]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

Oh, that's disappointing.

[Lee Burbidge]

Does everyone bin it?

[tlwcs]

Yes I bin mine.
Although I might start taking small amounts to deposit into customers ponds with Koi carp. They can have the same diet as our sea fish. 😁
Sadly it will get worse before it gets sorted.

[Simon Trapani]

My goes in a thick plastic bag and then in the general waste unfortunately.

I didn't even know they were plastic.

I doubt our recycle guys round here would take them. Or I'd be left with a load of slippy beads all over my driveway & road.

[Lee Burbidge]

My goes in a thick plastic bag and then in the general waste unfortunately.

I didn't even know they were plastic.

I doubt our recycle guys round here would take them. Or I'd be left with a load of slippy beads all over my driveway & road.

I have done that before.... spilled some resin on the unit floor. Before I knew it my little legs were going ten to a dozen, only just managed to maintain balance. Flapping my arms helped lol

Yes, the resin is made of polystyrene sulfonate. The beads are porous.

I watched a program on how plastics fragment and over time reduce to the size of beads that fish think are food. ( Also seen the program of the dead whale with a stomach full of carrier bags) and the size of the plastic the fish were eating got me thinking about the resin I use.

More I think about it, short term, I like the idea given earlier of recycling the resin in a plastic recycle bin.

[AuRavelling79]

I didn't know that resin was plastic either. (duh)

In Bristol we have a domestic plastic recycling collection but I believe that is for bottles and containers only. Frankly I wouldn't want to ask the council for fear of opening a domestic/trade waste debate!

I have always slung mine in the "black" (general waste) bin and as it is only about one kilogram a fortnight I don't give it much thought.

However if I was running several vans and had trade collection then I would enquire as to where it would go and do as directed.

[Lee Burbidge]

I didn't know that resin was plastic either. (duh)

In Bristol we have a domestic plastic recycling collection but I believe that is for bottles and containers only. Frankly I wouldn't want to ask the council for fear of opening a domestic/trade waste debate!

I have always slung mine in the "black" (general waste) bin and as it is only about one kilogram a fortnight I don't give it much thought.

However, if I was running several vans and had trade collection then I would inquire as to where it would go and do as directed.

Yes, the latter part of what you said there is something I am looking into. I doubt there is much one can do if the infrastructure for processing spent resin is not there..... on other plastic use within a company in another group one person said that they loved the ergonomics handles of some squeegee brands but one personnel change could be to switch from plastic-based handles to brass or steel. I thought that was an interesting view... the type of pondering I was hoping to promote when starting this topic.

So then that brings me to water fed poles. Would buying carbon made rather than plastic made brushes be a way of reducing plastics? Bristles are all plastic-based except for boars hair and the tubing is plastic... what could replace these I wonder?

[Shrek]

I actually didn’t know resin was plastic too!! I usually put it in a bin bag and put it in general waste , however I may put it in the plastic recycling bin - although it’s a mixture of plastic containers & metal cans . Not sure whether it’d contaminate the metal , unless I bag it first

[Matt.]

So if ur into commercial work and have accreditations u will more than likely have an environmental policy.
From an environmental point of view DI only is better than using a RO as there's no waste water with DI only
Now given the recent news on tiny plastic particles in our sea life, maybe there is an argument that the RO is actually more enviromentally friendly even tho it uses a lot more water.

Am sure it's only time before resin can be reinjuvinated by adding a chemical of some sort

[dazmond]

i only empty my resin vessels around  3 times a year.they go in my normal black bin tied in a strong plastic bag......I recycle lots of my normal household waste(cardboard,plastic bottles and cans)but not resin.....

TBH i didnt know resin beads were made of plastic either....if there was an easy way to recycle it i would but i doubt there ever will be so it goes in my normal black bin...

[davids3511]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

Thats not correct Soupy. A sodium hydroxide mix seperates the resin while also regenerating the anion. Put the sunk cation in a hydrochloric acid mix to regenerate. Rinse both well, mix together again and your done. Its bloody messy but can be done.

[dazmond]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

Thats not correct Soupy. A sodium hydroxide mix seperates the resin while also regenerating the anion. Put the sunk cation in a hydrochloric acid mix to regenerate. Rinse both well, mix together again and your done. Its bloody messy but can be done.

sod messing about with hydrochloric acid......id rather just buy a fresh bag of resin....sod the planet!

[Lee Burbidge]

So if ur into commercial work and have accreditations u will more than likely have an environmental policy.
From an environmental point of view DI only is better than using a RO as there's no waste water with DI only
Now given the recent news on tiny plastic particles in our sea life, maybe there is an argument that the RO is actually more enviromentally friendly even tho it uses a lot more water.

Am sure it's only time before resin can be rejuvenated by adding a chemical of some sort

Hey Matt, yeah that's an encouraging view on the resin. I think that the 'plastic' issue will be more prominent as the years go by and at sometime, one of the manufacturers might see the commercial benefits or kudos to solving this problem. On talking to industry tho, at the time of writing there appears to be nothing that could replace the resin.

I am hoping for innovative, environmentally thinking from the industry.

[Slacky]

it goes in the bin as ive a life and have more to worrie about then this , if you had spent a lot of time in the usa like me the last 6 months you will understand that northing we do we help one bit when you see what they do in just one city like new york , 26 tonnes of rubbish get thrown out a minute over there so if you want to change any thing get your self over there

You can only change your own behaviour, stop ignoring your contribution to the issue by pointing the finger at someone else.

[Slacky]

So if ur into commercial work and have accreditations u will more than likely have an environmental policy.
From an environmental point of view DI only is better than using a RO as there's no waste water with DI only
Now given the recent news on tiny plastic particles in our sea life, maybe there is an argument that the RO is actually more enviromentally friendly even tho it uses a lot more water.

Am sure it's only time before resin can be reinjuvinated by adding a chemical of some sort

Theres no waste with R.O.

It all goes the same place whether its dribbled down some glass or down the kitchen sink.

[Matt.]

I disagree there slacky .... Purified water is the product we use, the excess water that leaves the ro and enters the drains is 100% waste.

But totally agree with ur other comment about changing ur own behaviour and not pointing the finger 👍

[Matt.]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

Thats not correct Soupy. A sodium hydroxide mix seperates the resin while also regenerating the anion. Put the sunk cation in a hydrochloric acid mix to regenerate. Rinse both well, mix together again and your done. Its bloody messy but can be done.

sod messing about with hydrochloric acid......id rather just buy a fresh bag of resin....sod the planet!

I also wouldn't be messing about on my drive mixing it ....... But if a manufacturer has the facilities to do so and there was a 40% cost reduction on every kilo u buy that's matched with used returned...... Similar to the bottle scheme.... We then have a place to return it to, to then be recycled

[Slacky]

I disagree there slacky .... Purified water is the product we use, the excess water that leaves the ro and enters the drains is 100% waste.

But totally agree with ur other comment about changing ur own behaviour and not pointing the finger 👍

The waste water is water. Nothing more. How can you call it waste as if its been contaminated. Its had nothing added its just a concentrated form of dissolved solids in there that were already there.

[David Beecroft]

My brother in law used to work for Johnson and Johnson. He told me that in the plant he worked at they used huge amounts of resin for water purification and that they regenerated it. I’m not certain but I’m sure he said they use some salt/sodium solution to accomplish this.
Maybe a business opportunity for somebody???

[Soupy]

My brother in law used to work for Johnson and Johnson. He told me that in the plant he worked at they used huge amounts of resin for water purification and that they regenerated it. I’m not certain but I’m sure he said they use some salt/sodium solution to accomplish this.
Maybe a business opportunity for somebody???

I'm reliably informed that the resin that can be regenerated is a single bed resin. We use mixed bed resin which, as the name suggests, isn't a single type, it's a mixture.

Mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated. So I am told.

[David Beecroft]

If that’s the case then we should be asking if single bed resin could be used in our industry and then regenerated.
We have to be environmentally responsible, even if it’s just for the sake of our reputations. Enough people already have an issue with the amount of water we use.

[Shrek]

If that’s the case then we should be asking if single bed resin could be used in our industry and then regenerated.
We have to be environmentally responsible, even if it’s just for the sake of our reputations. Enough people already have an issue with the amount of water we use.

Eh? Like who ? That’s the first time Iv heard people have an issue with us using water

[AuRavelling79]

If that’s the case then we should be asking if single bed resin could be used in our industry and then regenerated.
We have to be environmentally responsible, even if it’s just for the sake of our reputations. Enough people already have an issue with the amount of water we use.

Eh? Like who ? That’s the first time Iv heard people have an issue with us using water

When we had hosepipe bans in the South East and threatened elsewhere I would occasionally get things like "I don't think I ought to have my windows washed if we're supposed to be conserving water".

So I would respond with "Well I collect a lot of my water off the roof in winter time which gives me 1000's of litres for times like these." (Good job they didn't do the maths or ask me if I ever used tap water as the honest answer would have been "only 98% of the time".) 

I used quite a lot of "verbal reassurance" even though we didn't actually get a ban in Bristol.

Such as ... we're okay in Bristol we get most of our water from the Severn which is drawn off by Bristol Water at Sharpness (true). So we get all the water that falls on the Welsh valleys.

Mind you - like Slacky I agree that sending clean unused water down the drain  isn't like sending dirty water and sewerage down.

[David Beecroft]

I’ve had a few customers cancel because of the amount of water we used saying it’s wasteful and I’m in the West of Scotland, the wettest part of the uk!
The point is we should be as environmentally  responsible as we can be.

[dazmond]

I’ve had a few customers cancel because of the amount of water we used saying it’s wasteful and I’m in the West of Scotland, the wettest part of the uk!
The point is we should be as environmentally  responsible as we can be.

Its just an excuse to get rid of you David.

[David Beecroft]

Never thought of that! Now I’m hurting 😢

[Matt.]

got to love it slacky   ..... We use an ro that separates the tiny particles that we can't see from the water, and then sends the clean water on to be used for window cleaning
The water that leaves the ro heading to the drain is more contaminated than it was before it entered the ro or we wouldn't use them and therefore is the waste. 
If u stored this water for another use like prsssure washing it wouldn't be waste, but if it goes down the drain it's waste

[Shrek]

got to love it slacky   ..... We use an ro that separates the tiny particles that we can't see from the water, and then sends the clean water on to be used for window cleaning
The water that leaves the ro heading to the drain is more contaminated than it was before it entered the ro or we wouldn't use them and therefore is the waste. 
If u stored this water for another use like prsssure washing it wouldn't be waste, but if it goes down the drain it's waste

I still can’t get my head round how the water can be MORE contaminated when it comes out  than BEFORE it went through the RO   

[Matt.]

Tds metre should help u

[davids3511]

Vert interesting.... can resin be re-generated?

I was told by someone who should know that mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated.

Thats not correct Soupy. A sodium hydroxide mix seperates the resin while also regenerating the anion. Put the sunk cation in a hydrochloric acid mix to regenerate. Rinse both well, mix together again and your done. Its bloody messy but can be done.

sod messing about with hydrochloric acid......id rather just buy a fresh bag of resin....sod the planet!

I'm with you  Daz, I've done it once and it worked fine but it was a ball ache. Wont be doing it again.

[davids3511]

My brother in law used to work for Johnson and Johnson. He told me that in the plant he worked at they used huge amounts of resin for water purification and that they regenerated it. I’m not certain but I’m sure he said they use some salt/sodium solution to accomplish this.
Maybe a business opportunity for somebody???

I'm reliably informed that the resin that can be regenerated is a single bed resin. We use mixed bed resin which, as the name suggests, isn't a single type, it's a mixture.

Mixed bed resin cannot be regenerated. So I am told.

Maybe they mean it can't be regenerated in only one process. Once it is in the Lye mixture it separates and is no longer 'mixed bed'. I can reliably inform you because I've done it. Only once mind you. Too many serious chemicals to want to do it again.

I did think to leave the resin separated into its two parts and put each in a di vessel. Once the tds is creeping up it would be much easier to regenerate without having to mess about separating them again.

[Elfyn]

At 25kg a time it's a little too heavy to add to the plastic recycling domestic collection. I split it into the two sacs that it comes in and take it to the local recycling site's plastic section.

[Stoots]

If you have time to worry about "how my company can reduce its use of plastics"  then there's a problem.

I mean where does it end, use of diesel, ozone layer, organic food, how many trees can I hug etc.

Whether I wang some depleted resin in the bin or not is not going to solve all the problems in the world, stop trying to do your bit, there's too many people in this world not doing their bit for it to make any difference.

So the next time you come to dispose of your resin just say feck it I'm going to die anyway, let's live life on the edge, break a few rules and sling it in the bin.

[nathankaye]

OK, so I'm late to this debate and I've not read all the back posts, but I'm a little frustrated with all this plastic waste talk.
The vast majority of the population recycles or at least I like to think so.  The damage is these plastics ending up in the sea, why is that?   Some of the reason is the shipping industry and the other is the waste disposal process and to me these are the things that need to be looked at.  So even if we recycle these things and dispose of them properly it isn't good enough because it's out of our hands then and the next steps are the causes of plastic ending up in the sea.

[Go]

Mine goes in the recycling bin, what could be easier?

Waste water from RO goes in the pond. There’s newts in it!
We’re on a bore hole, so no nasty chlorine etc.

[Perfect Windows]

I just want to check something.  Are people suggesting that the contents of your waste bin end up in the sea?

I believe I've missed the Panorama special covering Southampton council's wanton emptying of waste lorries down at the waterfront.

Vin

[p1w1]

I just want to check something.  Are people suggesting that the contents of your waste bin end up in the sea?

I believe I've missed the Panorama special covering Southampton council's wanton emptying of waste lorries down at the waterfront.

Vin

It did show though how Braintree's recycling doesn't end up being recycled but in some land fill in Poland.

[Spruce]

Never thought of that! Now I’m hurting 😢

I wouldn't worry about it.

I've think in the past 15 years I've only had one person cancel because they are skint. The rest lie. The majority of reasons always seem to point the finger toward us as the root of the problem.

They are having new windows fitted so will call you when its done (10 years later - still the same windows,) your water is killing my plants and grass; you aren't regular enough; you left a streak down a window 2 cleans ago; your jet wash has caused my windows to mist up; we want a window cleaner who calls on the same day and time so we can expect you; you clean windows when you know its going to rain the next day; its not worth cleaning windows during winter and we will call you back in the Spring (never happened yet); we've just had our drive resealed and your water is washing the sand out of our block paving; your water is staining our wall; the way you clean windows wastes water;

At one time I had an answer for most of the excuses; these days I just apologise that they feel that way and thank them for their customer and putting up with us.

Strangely, we had one cancel us for a really stupid reason and later recommend us as window cleaners to several of her friends.

.