All organizations generate waste and dealing with this waste in eco-friendly ways is a social responsibility of your business. But how can you meet this responsibility and reduce your waste levels in cost-effective, sustainable, and innovative ways? 

Below are 7 revolutionary waste management techniques your business can adopt.

Evaluate Consumption Choices

Reflecting on your business’ waste patterns is a vital part of transforming your waste management. Think about the materials you consume throughout your operational process, from acquisition to manufacturing, packaging, daily operations, etc.

Also, consider the by-products of your consumption (i.e.: what waste you generate at each step of your operations). Remember waste isn’t just tangible. It can also be air and other pollution forms.

To try and improve your processes for minimal waste, make better, more conscious choices. Use eco-friendly input and packing materials, equipment, suppliers, procurement techniques, and more. Every eco-conscious choice contributes to lower waste levels.

Promote Zero Waste Culture

Part of introducing consciousness to your business practices involves developing an eco-friendly and eco-conscious ethos in your workplace. Encourage employees to adopt a zero-waste mindset and make your workspace conducive to supporting such practices. 

For example, introduce and provide reusable office supplies like stainless steel kitchen utensils, office mugs, tote bags, and more. Find out from employees how you can make the efforts to become a zero-waste zone easier for them.

Go Paperless 

Going paperless is part of most business zero-waste transformations. Many companies globally are making moves to digital documentation and paper-free workplaces. The example above (having office stainless steel utensils and reusable crockery) is one way of avoiding single-use paper and plastic items.

Transitioning to digital documentation and storage is another paperless action that businesses are using to revolutionize their organizations. Not only do you use less paper, you don’t have to think about how to dispose of waste paper, and you spend less on printing processes.

Upcycling & Repurposing Items

Upcycling is another waste management alternative and an opportunity for you and your employees to get creative. Instead of simply throwing away old or used items, you can transform them and give them a new function in your space.

Giving old furniture a lick of paint, for example, can revitalize it and give it new life. Packaging materials can become storage or organizational tools. Even trash can be upcycled into artwork and other fun things.

You can make upcycling a fun element of your waste management. Include upcycling challenges in your team-building strategies, for example, encouraging employees to create the new with the old and displaying it in your space.

If you can afford it, you can also collaborate with artists like sculptors to create custom pieces with your waste. Not only do you end up with unique decor pieces and items, but you also have an eco-conscious story about each piece that you can share.

Reusing, upcycling, recycling, and repurposing are all tenets of the circular economy that businesses are employing for waste management.

Invest Smart & Repair 

If you are thinking about new purchases for your workspace, remember to make sustainable, forward-thinking choices. Rather than go for the cheapest option, invest in long-lasting, durable items.

Go against wasteful high-consumption culture by spending on equipment, production materials, and furniture that will last. When you do this, you reduce the need to constantly replace items, cutting the amount of waste.

Whether you introduce smart technologies, commit to a Pittsburg dumpster rental, or implement company-wide recycling, there are many business waste management methods.

The motto: buy smart. And where you can: fix it, don’t chuck it!

Adopt Smart Technologies

There are various waste reduction technologies and innovations you can look to. AI recycling bots, smart waste bins, waste level sensors, and internal waste kiosks are just some of the tech options you can try.

Of course, these may be a bit more costly, however, they offer great potential for automated waste management. In the long run, they can also help reduce costs by identifying areas for saving (i.e.: optimizing garbage collection using sensors that track how often this is necessary).

Report & Feedback

Taking action is only one aspect of clever and effective business waste management. Nurturing an eco-culture is another. Reporting back to employees and other business actors like suppliers ensures you don’t just make promises but stay accountable. This transparency and feedback also serve as motivation by illustrating the impact of your strategies.

Include data and metrics in waste progress reports such as recycling insights, waste reduction rates, etc. You can also paint a picture of how incremental steps in waste management can reduce costs for the benefit of the business and employees. This step is important in cementing the institutional dedication to sustainability.

Waste is an inevitable part of production and running a business. It is a companion to consumption, after all. However, how much you waste is in your power! Use these seven tips for company waste management to make your business more sustainable and eco-conscious today.

Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors and lifestyle. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.

Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.