Business Opportunities In Tackling Reuse Pollution

Businesses contribute to pollution in many ways, and with industrial companies making up at least 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to consider ways to reuse this pollution. One way to do this is to adopt a Pollution Prevention (P2) plan, which focuses on eliminating waste, then reducing the amount or toxicity of the waste, and finally, reusing or recycling the waste. Businesses can also reduce their carbon emissions by using renewable energy, fuel-efficient equipment, and biodegradable materials, as well as encouraging employees to use public transportation. Additionally, recycling businesses are becoming increasingly profitable, with the global waste recycling services market valued at 60.41 billion USD in 2022 and expected to reach 90 billion USD by 2028.

Perform a waste audit

Performing a waste audit can be an important step in understanding your business's waste management and identifying areas for improvement. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a waste audit:

Select Your Team and Plan a Date:

Choose a diverse team from across your organisation, including representatives from finance, health and safety, and the custodial team. Plan the waste audit for a typical week, avoiding any special events, and ensure you have a large enough team to cover all areas of your facility.

Gather Equipment:

You will need clear garbage bags, a large secure container, labels and permanent markers for the bags, protective clothing for the audit team, and a printed checklist or digital device to record data.

Collect Waste:

Ask the custodial team to collect all waste over three consecutive days (typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Place the waste in clear bags, label each bag with the date, location, and stream, and store them in a secure container.

Audit Day:

On the fourth day, remove the bags from the container and group them by collection location. Weigh each bag and record the weight, location, and stream. Perform a visual assessment of the contents and note the percentage of contamination, identifying specific items causing contamination.

Calculate Diversion Rate:

Use the formula provided by CleanRiver to calculate your diversion rate, which measures the success of your organisation's recycling program.

Communicate Results:

Share the waste audit results with your entire organisation. Highlight areas for improvement and reinforce recycling goals, bin locations, and recyclable items. Post images of key contaminants by the bins to encourage proper waste disposal.

Benefits of Performing a Waste Audit:

• Understand Environmental Impact: A waste audit can reveal the types and volumes of waste your business generates, helping you identify areas to reduce waste or improve recycling practices.
• Cost Savings: By optimising your waste management program, you can save costs by right-sizing equipment and scheduling waste pickups more efficiently.
• Improve Operational Efficiency: A waste audit can identify inefficiencies in your waste management practices, such as incorrect waste streams or unnecessary waste generation, leading to more efficient operations.
• Employee Engagement: Communicating waste audit results and goals can encourage employees to take ownership of waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding your waste streams is essential for complying with environmental regulations and identifying any hazardous waste that requires special handling or disposal.
• Brand Reputation: Embracing waste audits and implementing sustainable practices can enhance your brand reputation and public perception as a responsible and environmentally conscious business.

Mandate eco-friendly habits

Mandating eco-friendly habits in your business is a great way to contribute to sustainability and reduce your environmental impact. Here are some ways to do this:

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

The three Rs of waste management – reduce, reuse, and recycle – are essential for any business aiming to be eco-friendly. Reducing waste generation is the most effective way to save resources and protect the environment. Reusing items such as cloth bags, containers, and old clothing prevents waste, and recycling gives waste a second life. Educate your employees about recycling best practices, set up recycling bins, and choose products with recycled content.

Upcycling and Repurposing

Upcycling is a creative way to give new life to old items. Instead of throwing away old office furniture, for example, you can refurbish or repaint it, reducing waste and showcasing your commitment to sustainability. Packaging materials can also be repurposed into storage containers or organizers.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Investing in durable goods that are built to last can significantly reduce waste and save money in the long run. Choose well-made office equipment, furniture, or machinery that will stand the test of time and won't need constant replacement.

Waste Management Practices

Implement comprehensive waste management systems to minimize your environmental impact and contribute to a circular economy. Identify areas where waste can be minimized, such as encouraging digital documentation to reduce paper usage, implementing bulk purchasing options to cut down on packaging waste, and finding ways to reduce food waste in cafeterias.

Encourage a Zero-Waste Mindset

Foster a zero-waste mindset among your employees by promoting sustainable practices. Encourage the use of reusable items, such as stainless steel water bottles, coffee mugs, and cloth bags. Avoid purchasing single-use plastics for the office, and implement paperless operations by digitizing documentation and records.

Repair and Maintenance

Instead of discarding broken or malfunctioning equipment, adopt a repair-first mentality. This reduces waste and saves resources. Encourage employees to fix items instead of automatically throwing them out, fostering a sense of craftsmanship and resourcefulness.

Embrace upcycling and repurposing

Upcycling is a powerful tool in the fight against pollution and waste. It is a creative and sustainable approach that transforms waste into valuable products, giving them a second life and reducing the need for landfill space. By embracing upcycling and repurposing, businesses can play a crucial role in reducing pollution and promoting sustainability. Here are some ways to embrace upcycling and repurposing:

Reduce Consumption and Reuse Items

One of the simplest ways to reduce waste is to lower your consumption. Before purchasing something new, consider if there is an item you already own that can be reused or repurposed. This could be as simple as using a reusable coffee mug instead of a disposable cup or buying second-hand goods. Reducing consumption and reusing items extends the lifespan of products and reduces the strain on valuable resources.

Upcycle Unwanted Items

Upcycling is about getting creative and giving new life to old, discarded items. Instead of throwing them away, transform them into something new and valuable. For example, plastic bottles can be cut and shaped into earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Old furniture can be refurbished or repainted to give it a fresh look. By upcycling, you reduce waste, save money, and contribute to environmental conservation.

Collaborate and Educate

Upcycling is not just for individuals; it's a community effort. Collaborate with local businesses, community groups, and artists to promote upcycling initiatives. Educate your employees, customers, and the community about the benefits of upcycling and how they can get involved. Spread awareness through social media, workshops, and partnerships to make upcycling a mainstream practice.

Support Policies and Initiatives

Advocate for policies and initiatives that support upcycling and circular economy principles. Governments and industries play a crucial role in promoting upcycling. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense is actively supporting upcycling by funding projects that convert waste into high-grade metals. By supporting such initiatives, businesses can contribute to a larger movement towards sustainability.

Focus on Repair and Maintenance

Embrace a culture of repair and maintenance instead of discarding broken or malfunctioning items. This can be applied to office equipment, furniture, machinery, and even clothing. By repairing and maintaining items, you reduce the need for new purchases, lower your environmental impact, and save money.

Engage Employees and Incentivise

Encourage your employees to embrace upcycling and provide incentives for those who actively participate. Educate them about the environmental and economic benefits of upcycling and provide resources to help them get started. Make it a team effort by setting waste reduction goals and offering recognition for those who contribute to upcycling initiatives.

By embracing upcycling and repurposing, businesses can reduce their environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote a more sustainable future. It is a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy.

Choose quality over quantity

The world is grappling with a plastic pollution crisis, and it's clear that we need to change how we design, use, and reuse plastics. While recycling is important, it's not enough to solve the problem. We need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and adopt more sustainable practices. This presents an opportunity for businesses to play a pivotal role in tackling this issue and driving positive environmental change.

One key strategy for businesses is to choose quality over quantity when it comes to the products they use and promote. Here are some ways this can be achieved:

• Investing in durable goods: Opting for well-made, long-lasting products reduces the need for constant replacements, contributing to waste reduction. This can include office equipment, furniture, and machinery. By choosing items that are built to last, businesses can save money in the long run and minimise their environmental footprint.
• Embracing upcycling and repurposing: Instead of discarding old items, businesses can get creative and find innovative ways to repurpose them. For example, old office furniture can be refurbished or repainted, extending its lifespan and reducing waste. Packaging materials can also be transformed into storage containers or organisers.
• Rethinking consumption habits: Businesses should adopt a mindful approach to procurement, choosing suppliers that prioritise eco-friendly practices and offer minimal packaging. Every purchase is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.
• Implementing efficient waste management practices: Businesses can identify areas to minimise waste, such as encouraging digital documentation to reduce paper usage, implementing bulk purchasing options to cut down on packaging waste, and finding ways to reduce food waste in cafeterias.
• Encouraging a zero-waste mindset among employees: Promoting sustainable practices in the workplace can inspire employees to make small but significant changes. This includes using reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, cloth bags, and utensils, and avoiding single-use plastics.
• Emphasising repair and maintenance: Instead of discarding broken or malfunctioning equipment, businesses can foster a repair-first mentality. This reduces landfill waste and encourages a sense of resourcefulness.

By prioritising quality over quantity, businesses can reduce their environmental impact, save costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future. It's important to remember that every action counts, and by working together, we can create a ripple effect of change to address the global plastic pollution crisis.

Implement efficient waste management practices

Implementing efficient waste management practices is crucial for businesses to minimise their environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Identify Areas for Waste Reduction

Businesses can identify areas within their operations where waste can be minimised. This includes encouraging digital documentation to reduce paper usage, implementing refillable or bulk purchasing options to cut down on packaging waste, and exploring ways to minimise food waste in cafeterias or break rooms.

Encourage a Zero-Waste Mindset Among Employees

Instil a zero-waste mindset in your employees by promoting sustainable practices in the workplace. Encourage the use of reusable items, such as stainless steel water bottles, coffee mugs, cloth bags, and utensils. Eliminate single-use plastics from the office and implement paperless operations by encouraging digital document management.

Emphasise Repair and Maintenance

Foster a culture of repair and maintenance instead of frequently replacing broken or malfunctioning equipment. By adopting a repair-first mentality, businesses can reduce waste and save resources. Encourage employees to fix items instead of throwing them out, extending the lifespan of furniture, equipment, and machinery.

Harness the Power of Recycling

Take proactive steps to maximise recycling within your business. Educate employees about recycling best practices, set up recycling bins, and choose products with recycled content. Support local recycling initiatives and consider investing in waste route planning software to optimise collection routes and reduce transportation costs.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Invest in durable goods that stand the test of time. Select well-made products that are built to last, whether it's office equipment, furniture, or machinery. Durable items reduce the need for constant replacements, contributing to long-term cost savings and waste reduction.

Rethink Consumption Habits

Adopt a mindful approach to procurement and operations by making conscious choices. Choose suppliers that prioritise eco-friendly practices and offer products with minimal packaging. By prioritising reusable alternatives and choosing quality over quantity, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Frequently asked questions