From Trash to Cash: How to Approach Waste Management
To address the global trash crisis, poor air quality, and rising temperatures, waste must be repurposed instead of being seen as a problem.
No matter how big or small, every business produces waste during the course of its activities. Business waste, or industrial, commercial, or trade waste, can be described as any resulting waste product. If you own a company, you know it’s your legal responsibility to prioritize correctly disposing of your business waste.
In restaurant management, you must make it time- and cost-efficient to get rid of drinking cups, packaging, plastics, etc. In logistics, cardboard is everywhere. Examples can go on, making recycling a significant focus for companies worldwide, regardless of the industry.
When it comes to the global trash crisis, there’s no time to waste. Government regulations and corporate efforts are turning the linear economy of “make, use, dispose of” into a regenerative one. In Europe, rules encourage a change that regards trash as a resource instead of a problem and holds the manufacturer accountable for waste.
With these in mind, the world, and especially enterprises, must learn how to turn their loads of waste into something more purposeful. And why not, profit from it.
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There’s a tremendous interest in waste regeneration
It takes 2699 liters of water to grow the cotton needed for a T-shirt and a surprising 200 litres for a single egg. A solution to similar issues can provide customers with the satisfaction of contributing to a greener, circular economy by buying a zero-waste product. For manufacturers, it could increase brand recognition, positioning them as a leader in sustainable practices.
However, academic settings are where many sustainability innovations are developed. Cornell University, for example, was granted $1.5 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to explore the integrated reuse of industrial waste. While there’s support in academic institutions, many solutions struggle to see the light of the day, as students working on innovative solutions might lack a business development mindset.
It’s, therefore, crucial for solution-seekers to engage in direct dialogue with corporations.
Baling is a cost-effective waste management solution
Regardless of the industry, disposing of the waste is costly and stressful. Here, bales come in to ease the process. They’re cost-effective machines that help to sort and compact different types of waste, generating compact bales that are easy to store, handle, and transport.
Companies worldwide use hydraulic presses to reduce waste management costs. Employees are more efficient when they don’t have to transport trash to the landfill. They’re also less prone to health and accident risks, like contamination, slips, car crashes, etc., reducing employees’ chances of dealing with claims for broken duty of care.
Besides working hours and transportation costs that are no longer lost on waste disposal, balers save space by compacting materials and help optimize the disposal process. They’re eco- and user-friendly and help different industries dispose of waste in a budget-friendly way.
Financial penalties are a top favorite
There’s been a fast increase in sustainable-packaging regulations, going beyond shopping bags. Packaging-waste management was subject to 91 regulatory measures – the highest worldwide. Additionally, there has been a growing regulatory focus on plastic and beverage packaging.
In 2022, and according to McKinsey findings, the preferred and top regulatory vehicles for sustainability change in the packaging industry were not subsidies but financial penalties. These are generally related to fines, fees, and taxes and account for around 45% of legal measures indicating a clear financial fallout. France uses incentives the most to support change in packaging sustainability, through indirect funding/subsidies or premiums, for example.
To avoid penalties and secure profits, companies along the packaging value chain must have a granular understanding of the regulations.
Commercial waste management saves money
Some businesses generate waste paper, and others generate hazardous waste that requires specific disposal. Regardless of the type and volume, it all costs money. Waste prevention here is critical, including:
- Investing in durable, long-lasting materials
- Minimising the amount of packaging
- Implementing in-process recycling
- Conserving water and energy.
Reducing waste and complying with state regulations helps companies avoid expensive permits and government approvals, and your company establishes itself as an excellent corporate citizen, gaining long-term advantages.
How businesses can benefit from responsible waste management
Responsible waste management isn’t only the ethical thing to do but can also save the company money. The more glass, cardboard, aluminum, and paper that can be recycled, the less removal-associated costs.
Filling landfills may cause water and air pollution and require more land in the landfill, leading to unhappy residents and a gradual impact on property values. By managing trash responsibly, companies ensure the preservation of local resources.
Brand reputation is another crucial aspect of a business. Everybody likes a company that shows interest in global issues like global warming and climate change effects and understands the great extent to which industrialization is held accountable. However, being environmentally conscious isn’t enough; action is needed! Earning the reputation of an eco-friendly enterprise can help a company’s image, attract more customers and be advantageous in the long run.
If you own a firm, remember that nowadays, being environmentally responsible is the norm. Hiring might be challenging if your business doesn’t share potential employees’ values or uses unsustainable practices.
Summing up
Disposing of commercial by-products and unused materials comes at a price. Your company can reduce costs and improve its bottom line by finding cost-effective ways to dispose of waste and reuse it.
Making smart business investments and saving money are top priorities for small businesses, but well-established ones can, too, take advantage of some solutions – only to a greater extent. There may be many ways to realistically minimise expenses including waste reduction, using good machinery, and streamlining waste collection.
With less money spent on removal services, employee work, waste transportation, and trash collection, a company has more money to invest in more profitable areas of the business.