A proactive approach to waste management can help the environment, make your business more sustainable and even save you money. However, the first step in creating an effective waste management strategy is to identify ways to reduce the amount of waste your company produces. To get started, take a look at these 6 ways to reduce business waste now.
By Team Savant
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Conduct a Waste Audit
To identify appropriate ways to reduce waste, you need to know which business processes are creating unnecessary waste. Similarly, identifying the different types of waste, such as electrical or hazardous waste, will help you to determine whether these can be reduced or managed more efficiently.
Increase the Use of Recyclable Materials
If you want to minimise the amount of waste your business produces, increase the use of recyclable materials. From banning single-use plastic in the office to switching to new raw materials in manufacturing plants, there are numerous ways that businesses can use more recyclable products.
Of course, you will need to ensure that staff have access to recycling bins so that materials can be disposed of appropriately. However, many recyclable waste collection services are actually cheaper than non-recyclable collection services, so you could save money and increase your green credentials.
Prevent Leaks and Spills
Whether it’s water, oil or any other liquid, leaks and spills are going to increase the amount of waste your business produces and cost you money. When it comes to water, regular plumbing checks can identify potential or minor leaks before they become major issues. Not only can this keep your utility bills down, but it can also help you to avoid major catastrophes, such as flooding.
If you store oil on-site, consider more effective ways to do so if you want to minimise the risk of leaks. With tuffa tanks, for example, you can rely on a second skin to prevent leaks and safeguard your resources. This simple but effective measure can greatly reduce the need for time and labour-intensive clean-ups, as well as minimising waste.
Get Employees Involved
To successfully reduce waste, you’ll need to get your employees on board with new initiatives. Educating staff about the benefits of reducing waste can be the first step to getting their support. In addition to this, ask for (and listen to!) their feedback in relation to potential waste-reducing measures. In some instances, offering incentives or hosting ‘sustainability challenges can be a fun and creative way to get staff motivated about waste reduction.
Factor Waste Reduction into Decision-Making
When waste reduction becomes a factor in every business decision you make, you can ensure that every process is geared towards minimal waste production. Moving forward, this means your business will be minimising the amount of waste it creates as standard and contributing to a more sustainable environment.
Implementing Waste Reduction Techniques
Waste reduction can enhance your company’s reputation and reduce your operating costs, in addition to benefiting the environment. With so many advantages associated with waste reduction, it’s easy to see why it’s a top priority for many businesses. By making it one of your company’s goals, you can find innovative ways to modify your operations for a better outcome.