Sustainability in the treatment of waste has always been a heavily discussed topic and, in recent years, has become a key decision-making factor for B2B sales contracts and investor funding due to the climate crisis. These days, having the technical knowledge and expertise in the field of wastewater management and treatment solutions isn’t always enough, and showing that your company or manufacturing facility is up to date on their environmental policies and making measurable progress towards their targets is crucial.
Alongside this, consumers are now taking more of an interest in the supply chain of the products they purchase and the brands they support. In the Fairtrade America Consumer Insights report published earlier this month, it was revealed that 61% of US consumers recognise the Fairtrade Mark and logo (an increase of 18% since 2019), and 80% of Fairtrade shoppers would pay more for ethical and sustainability sourced products. The surveys also showed that shoppers are prioritising transparency across the supply chain, which includes ethical methods of waste disposal.
While these are only a few examples, sustainable wastewater treatment is a highly sought-after service with many service providers across the UK and globally. Below, we have outlined some of the key ways to select the best industrial wastewater treatment partner for your business that can help you meet your company’s environmental and sustainability goals!
Key Considerations For Choosing An Industrial Wastewater Treatment Company:
1. Team Expertise
Although specialised industry experience is often a sought-after factor for a wastewater treatment partner, broader expertise across a range of treatment technologies can be even more beneficial. Companies with skilled teams across a range of sectors will be knowledgeable in the removal of more challenging pollutants and may be better equipped to apply cross-industry knowledge to achieve results.
2. Track Record
Alongside checking the company’s website and social media channels for evidence of case studies and clientele, consider requesting further information from their sales teams as there may be case studies they are unable to share publicly due to confidentiality agreements. You can also request a sample analysis and/or anonymised lab reports showing sample testing and outcomes. This can help you compare values across a range of companies and weigh out the pros and cons.
3. Compliance With Evolving Regulations
This may seem obvious given the title of this article, but it’s important nonetheless to ensure all potential partners are able to meet regulations in your local area as well as promptly adjust to new regulations as they become law. Depending on where your site(s) is/are located, there may also be different regulations to consider and ensuring changes can be accommodated in the long term will be critical. To check this, enquire about the company’s knowledge of discharge permits and reporting obligations and research upcoming changes so you can ask how the company will handle these changes as well as when they will be implemented for your business should you proceed with signing a contract.
4. Sustainability Reporting
While it’s easy to say a company is committed to sustainability, it’s certainly more tricky to prove! Look for a wastewater treatment partner that emphasises their sustainability practices and demonstrates their commitment with facts, figures, and examples. You can also enquire about their approach to optimising energy consumption during the wastewater treatment process to see how this will lower your carbon footprint compared to your existing solution (or other solutions on the market). For example, at LAT Water we are proud to be able to reduce our clients’ energy consumption by as much as 70%.
5. Resource Recovery
A growing trend in wastewater management is the ability to repurpose valuable resources from wastewater such as biogas, nutrients, and of course clean water. By recycling resources and lowering the demand for additional resources, companies can reduce their operational costs, transportation needs, and create a more self-sustaining supply chain. Enquire with each company about their methodology and find out more about the importance of these processes in our articles on the benefits of digestate treatment and wastewater recycling.
6. Comprehensive Services
Following on from number 5, wastewater treatment companies with a track record of providing a comprehensive set of services in-house will usually be better placed to reduce your costs as there will be fewer (if any) third parties to consider. This will not only reduce your operational costs but will also simplify your supply chain and ensure better transparency. You should also ask your shortlisted companies about their system design and engineering processes, installation timelines, and ongoing support and maintenance. For example, at LAT Water our team of experts work with companies across the UK as well as around the world in over 12 languages – providing international support and ensuring expert, localised knowledge of every area we operate in. We’re also available around the clock in your time zone in case of an emergency.
Contact The LAT Water Team
If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@latwater.com. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.
