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10 STEPS TO MAXIMISE YOUR WASTE PROCESS (AND SAVE MONEY)

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Efficiency is increasingly important in business. While generating profit will always be the top trump, it becomes harder to achieve while running costs nibble away at revenue. Unfortunately, the costs of actually running your business almost inevitable increase, hence the need for more efficiency at every stage of your process.

Waste management is an area where, with a little planning and teamwork, you can make considerable efficiencies in your running costs.

Costs for disposal of waste increase all the time. In the case of waste-to-landfill this is understandable. As a society we need to think harder about what we do with the waste we create. We can’t simply continue to throw it into a big pile on the edge of our towns and cities. Increasing the costs and penalties for sending waste to landfill is a good incentive to make us all think.

So what strategies and tactics should you adopt to help improve your waste management regime; to reduce your costs; and maybe even generate additional revenue?

  1. Assess

    Look at ALL the waste you produce – How much, how often, and at what cost? You can’t begin to plan a strategy without understanding exactly what your challenge is. Conduct an audit to get facts and figure and a clear picture of what you need to do. Once you have hard data you can start to analyse and plan your improvements.

  2. Engage

    Ensure all staff understand the challenge and the effect that waste management costs are having on your business. Perhaps your staff have already identified ways in which your processes can be improved? Involve them in the process of change. They will ultimately need to be engaged for your solutions to work. This becomes easier if they are onside and all pulling together.

  3. Segregate

    As part of your audit, look at your waste streams. What can be recycled? Recyclable items will include cardboard, plastic, food waste, packaging and containers. The list will surprise. Effective segregation makes it easier to deal with. And the more you can divert from landfill, the better for your costs. You may even generate revenue from recycled materials, so the incentives are there.

  4. Processes

    Look at your current processes. Where is waste being generated? What happens to it? Who is involved in the process of generating and managing waste? Can waste be avoided at source? Should you consider changing some suppliers to find others that don’t contribute to your waste management challenge? Be firm. Request improvements from your suppliers.

  5. Efficiency

    Look at the technologies available to help better manage your waste. A baler will enable you to easily recycle materials ready to be collected by your recycler. It can also make the sorting process much simpler. And of course you may generate income from your recyclable materials.

  6. Make it easy

    Try to ensure you simplify instead of complicating your waste management process. Whether it is a one-person operation, or one that all staff are involved in, making processes like segregation easier and understandable will ensure greater support and engagement across your business.

  7. Partners

    Consult with reliable waste partners, ie. recyclers, food waste companies etc. who will be able to bring their experience to bear to help you improve your processes and achieve your goals.

  8. Reassess

    Look at your waste process on a regular basis as the business evolves. Put in place a diarised regime for periodic audit of waste and waste management. You may find a new waste issue has arisen. Periodic reassessment will allow you to identify trends and adapt your processes accordingly.

  9. Make it known

    Let your customers and suppliers know that you have a commitment to improving your waste management and recycling processes. The environment is an increasingly important issue and many businesses prefer to deal with others that have strong CSR and environmental commitment, so it’s good to shout about your efforts.

  10. Save money

    This is the bottom line and the best driver for improving your waste management regime. Through better processes you will not only make savings on your waste-to-landfill costs, you may even generate an income from your recyclable materials.

At Orwak Easi, our local specialists work with businesses of kinds, and are here to help YOU make informed decisions to suit YOUR needs. Contact us here for a free consultation or call 0800 342 3177.