As a business owner, you should have a good waste management system in place as part of resource recovery and environmental responsibility. All businesses produce waste. The way you deal with the trash will set you apart from other companies.
There are two major benefits to proper waste management and those are resource recovery and environmental protection. Here are some tips that will help you achieve your waste management goals:
1. Measure your business’ waste
When getting skip hire services, the company can measure the amount of waste you need to clear out in case of clearance or a renovation. You can hire a skip bin for small to medium-scale cleanup operations, but for businesses that don’t need a sizable haul, you can simply measure, collect, and dispose of the waste yourself.
At the end of each workday, gather up all the bin bags and count how many you filled. Then, determine how many bags you’ve filled for the week before collection. Don’t forget to take note which department or area produces the most waste. Knowing how much waste you produce will give you a good idea of the garbage situation in your business and what measures you can take.
2. Remember the 3 R’s
To curb the amount of garbage that is going to the landfills, you need to employ the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Reduce the amount of waste you produce daily by modifying operations to use less material. Cut back on single-use plastic and swap it for organic, biodegradable material. Save paper by printing only what is needed and doing the rest digitally. Buy raw materials in bulk to reduce the amount of smaller plastic containers you acquire. There are so many ways to reduce waste; you just need to think about all the areas you can apply it to.
- Reuse old or used products that have been repaired, refurbished, or cleaned. Prolonging the life of materials will delay their trip to the landfill and can save you money in the process. For example, encourage employees to use their own water bottles and coffee mugs instead of paper cups. Repurpose old office furniture instead of buying new ones.
- Recycle the waste that you couldn’t prevent. Recycle glass, plastic, metal, and other materials that can be reused. It helps to have multiple bins in your business to encourage employees to segregate trash. Consider composting to recycle organic material if you run a food-related business.
3. Research recycling and waste collection services
Look for the most suitable contractors for recycling and waste collection so that you will be able to adjust your operations based on their contracts. If you manage to find collectors for plastic, for example, make sure your collection arrangements are clear. If they collect waste twice a month, you will have to make sure that you have enough space for two weeks’ worth of recyclable materials.
Man-made waste and greenhouse gases are taking a toll on our planet. If we don’t contribute to environmental protection and conservation, it wouldn’t take long for our actions to affect our health, our families, and our communities. With these simple steps, you can do your part in keeping the Earth safe for our family and future generations.
