9 Ways to Reduce Business Waste
Businesses of any size are at the forefront of promoting eco-friendly practices. Supermarkets are accepting boxes, batteries and packaging for sustainable disposal, waste management companies are prioritising recycling over landfill, and packaging companies are leaning into biodegradable plastics for widespread use. Companies across the globe are in an ideal position to make a huge impact on our carbon footprint: so how can your business make a difference by reducing its waste too?
1. Go Paperless
Switching to digital receipts, remote work systems and online correspondence are all great ways to reduce the amount of paper waste your company produces. Even contracts can easily be signed digitally, cutting out the need for printing to only then scan it back in to save a file on a computer. Managing the business paperwork online is also much more efficient than rifling through filing cabinets!
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Suppliers
Choose your suppliers carefully by analysing their sustainability statements and eco goals. Purchasing products with less packaging is a tried-and-true method of reducing the waste your company produces, since you aren’t taking as much rubbish in the first place! Supporting companies aiming for carbon neutrality also provides an incentive for additional providers to follow suit.
3. Arrange Recycling Collections
Make your workplace a recycling hub by arranging regular collections for various waste. As a private business, you have the opportunity to provide recycling options that the local council might not offer to residents; by providing the means to recycle the widest range of waste items possible, you offer your employees an accessible way to dispose of their trickier trash that may have otherwise ended up in landfill.
4. Buy Wholesale
Buying wholesale isn’t only great for your finances, it’s also great for the environment! Bulk batches of supplies are often packaged together to save money and resources, and large shipments take up far less plastic than individually wrapped items from the local supermarket. If you have a rapport with your supplier, you may also be able to arrange for bespoke eco-friendly supply options that can benefit both of your companies.
5. Buy Refillable Containers
It’s no secret that offices are soap sinks. Bottles of hand soap, hand gel, washing up liquid and cleaner fluid are drained of their contents every week, and replacing them over and over only produces more plastic for the landfill. You can reduce the waste (and cost!) of this procedure by switching to refillable containers.
6. Hire Sustainable Waste Management Companies
Building work and office refits produce large amounts of waste by themselves. Whether you’re updating your decor, replacing old equipment, or overhauling your fire suppression systems to the latest model, plenty of trash is about to emerge from the office. You can reduce the business waste going to landfill by hiring a sustainable waste management company to collect your waste.
7. Keep Separate Bins in Workspaces
An easy way to manage your business waste is to provide all of the standard bins (and more, if you like!). Paper, plastic, glass and general waste bins should all be provided in your office spaces. You can also introduce eco training to encourage waste separation in the workplace.
8. Use Compost Bins
Uneaten lunches and teabags don’t have to go to waste - it may sound unusual for a workplace, but plenty of companies have taken to providing compost bins for their employees to use. Compost bins reduce the amount of greenhouse gases – specifically methane - being produced by rotting food, and they’re great for the wildlife, too!
9. Educate Staff about Sustainable Waste Management
The last - but arguably most important - step to reducing waste in a business is to educate your staff on sustainable waste management. Training provides a cultural incentive to reduce, reuse and recycle, and employees can take what they’ve learned home to create an eco-friendly ripple effect!
What Incentive Programmes Exist for Reducing Business Waste?
Recycling Rebate Programmes
In the UK, recycling rebate programmes exist to incentivise companies to sustainably manage their waste. You could qualify for these programmes if your business is properly separating, storing, and disposing of workplace waste. There are many different recycling rebate schemes across the UK, and it’s worth looking up schemes in your local area to earn rewards for your eco-friendly practices!
Environmental Tax Relief
You may qualify for a reduction of environmental taxes if you meet specific requirements set out by the UK government. When reducing your carbon emissions, looking into government incentive schemes can help you to offset the cost of making eco-friendly changes to your business.
Internal Incentive Programmes
In the same way that you can benefit from recycling schemes, you can make sure that your employees are benefitting from them, too! Producing your own incentive programmes for recycling and waste management can foster a positive work environment for your staff members.
Reducing waste in a business is an invaluable step forwards for carbon reduction efforts. If every company does its part, we’ll be taking strides towards eco-friendly practices across the globe - and that’s worth getting excited about!
Want to hear more about how HIPPO can help with your business become more sustainable? Contact us about commercial and business waste removal solutions today!