Sustainability is becoming a critical decision-making factor for investors and consumers. As a result, many companies are exploring strategies to minimize waste quantities and lower waste collection expenses.
Industrial waste often draws significant scrutiny due to its potential environmental risks. However, every sector and industry can benefit from adopting more eco-friendly waste management methods. Here’s what business owners need to know before overhauling their waste management programs for a more sustainable system.
What is Sustainable Waste Management?
In the past, the economy relied on a make-use-dispose model for most markets. For example, automakers sourced and bought new steel, wiring, batteries, and fabric to build each new vehicle. Furniture makers made tables and chairs from bulk lumber; contractors made houses from pallets of brand-new bricks.
Sustainable waste management changes the linear economy. It makes it more circular, bringing useful waste back into production. Rather than starting with raw materials, sustainable waste management begins with renewables. Steel car parts can be melted down and poured into new molds for this year’s model. Lumber and bricks can be reclaimed from construction sites and used in new structures.
What Are the Tenets of Sustainable Waste Management?
Waste management can be considered sustainable if the handling and disposal of waste materials have minimal negative impacts. These impacts can be environmental, social, and economic impacts.
A sustainable waste management model:
- Aims to reduce waste generation
- Keep materials in use for as long as possible
- Promotes long-term ecological balance
- Optimizes the use of resources
- Sees landfills and incineration as a last resort
- Involves diligent waste tracking and reporting
- Ensures vendors meet sustainability standards
- Disposes of waste in an environmentally responsible and socially equitable way
- Embraces new climate-friendly technologies and energy sources
Can Eco-Friendly Waste Management Systems Save Money?
Switching to sustainable waste management isn’t just good for the planet. It makes financial sense for manufacturers. For one, reusing products from your waste stream saves you money on disposal and waste handling costs. A few more financial benefits include:
Tax incentives
Supply chain security
Lower procurement costs
Sustainable waste management has many benefits. But, there’s no single solution that will achieve all of your goals. Good waste management is an ongoing process that needs continual evaluation and tweaking. Consistently tracking your progress ensures the greatest financial rewards.
What Is the Sustainable Waste Management Hierarchy?
The waste management hierarchy, often called the waste hierarchy, is a framework. It focuses on waste management practices that prioritize environmental sustainability and resource conservation. All of the steps in the hierarchy can be applied to many different processes. Each process can help companies save money and lessen its environmental impact.
Prevention
Reuse
Recycling
Recovery
Treatment
Disposal
Big Picture Solutions for Sustainable Waste Management
A successful sustainable waste management program balances between modifying existing waste streams and adopting new waste management practices to the total amount of waste. We set you up for success with our comprehensive strategies, ensuring we leave no opportunities on the table.
Planning
Waste Sorting
Composting
Sustainable Packaging
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Landfill Management
Full Participation
Tracking and Reporting
How Can I Make Our Waste Management Systems More Sustainable?
A sustainable waste management system requires a mix of methodologies, planning, and trial and error. That said, some simple tactics exist to repurpose existing waste management strategies into more sustainable models.
Empower Employees
Focus on Efficiency
Single Out Single-Use
Recycle or Resell?
Go Paperless
(Almost) Never Buy New
Drives and Donations
Let Us Implement a Sustainable Waste Management System
The right sustainable waste management program for your business depends on your industry, size, location, materials used, and legislative requirements—all of which carry unique challenges. Keter Environmental Services can help devise your best practices for waste management, preserving your company and the environment for years to come. Contact us for a sustainable waste disposal demonstration.