The Benefits of Recycling Commercial Waste
It’s no secret that sustainability is the way of the future. As we face the ugly truths that our current habits created, people are finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint in their personal lives. Smart industry leaders are following suit by bringing these practices into their businesses.
Recycling is no longer a one-off fad or a topic for cheesy after-school specials; it’s a real opportunity for companies to make a significant difference in the world around us. Learn about the benefits of recycling commercial waste if you’re ready to implement changes at your establishment.
What Is Commercial Waste?
Before presenting all of the incredible benefits recycling could offer your business, it’s helpful to explain some essential terms. What is commercial waste, exactly, and what does it have to do with your operations? Simply put, commercial waste refers to any trash or excess materials businesses produce onsite.
Anything your facility generates that winds up in a dumpster is commercial waste. This distinction matters because businesses must follow certain federal and local guidelines regarding disposal. You can’t simply take your company trash home to get rid of—no matter what it is. Failing to adhere to waste removal laws could prove disastrous for your operations.
What Materials Should Businesses Recycle?
Knowing what materials you should recycle is the first step to making a positive change in your establishment. While various industries produce different kinds of waste, some materials are universal. Virtually all businesses use these kinds of supplies, so focus on the following materials when you’re in your early stages:
- Paper
- Plastic
- Cardboard
- Glass
- Aluminum
Some industries have more opportunities than others when it comes to material recycling. For example, the shipping and packaging sector has a huge opportunity to reinvent its practices. Creating boxes, pallets, and protective supplies from repurposed supplies will make a massive difference in global paper, plastic, and cardboard production. This is just one of several illustrations that companies in every industry should consider following.
Advantages of Commercial Waste Recycling
The advantages of recycling your business’s waste are astronomical. From improved environmental conditions for everyone to lower material costs, there is no shortage of perks this practice has to offer. If you still need convincing, here are some of the many benefits of recycling commercial waste.
Reduces Environmental Impact
The most obvious argument for commercial recycling is its positive impact on the environment. If we want to leave a clean world for the next generation, going green isn’t a silly trend; it’s a necessity. While individuals and households can do their part, the truth is that companies are the main culprit for our globe’s trash problem.
Corporations use way more materials daily than the average person or residence. By incorporating sustainable practices into your business model, you can reduce the number of recyclable products occupying space in landfills. In addition, recycling decreases reliance on non-renewable resources, which saves precious fossil fuels that can’t regenerate themselves in a timely manner.
Improves Brand Image
Eco-friendly work policies don’t just improve the environment; they also better your company’s brand image. People want to support businesses that align with their core values. As society continues to prioritize environmental consciousness, corporations wishing to stay on trend need to hop on the bandwagon.
In the age of the internet, there is almost no marketing tactic as powerful as brand visibility. When consumers in your industry think about “green businesses,” yours should be the first that pops into their heads. Making recycling a regular business practice will improve your image and draw like-minded customers to your product or service.
Attracts Aligned Employees
Attracting people with similar values shouldn’t stop at the consumer level; it also influences your potential staff pool. Just like customers, employees want to spend their time working for a business that aligns with their ethics. If you’re going to cultivate a culture that invites passionate employees, you need to step up your commercial waste recycling game.
Hiring like-minded people to your payroll will also make it easier to implement sustainable initiatives. People who already recycle at home are more likely to carry that habit into their work life. For corporations looking to expand their staff, committing to recycling is key.
Decreases Material Costs
Purchasing new supplies is expensive. You’re not only paying for the product but also the materials and manufacturing labor. Investing in recycled materials will lower your overall costs since these goods are cheaper than their fresh counterparts.
Many supply companies offer buy-pack programs to repurpose your supplies and equipment. For example, pallet buy-back services give new life to worn and weathered pallets. Instead of tossing your tools and investing in something new, you can cut costs by repurposing something already in the supply chain.
Pulls a Profit
Commercial recycling also allows you to increase your profits. Many companies will buy scrap materials from others within their industry to reduce their raw material costs. If you want to put more money back into your operations, consider selling your excess supplies instead of tossing them in the trash.
Having a solid recycling program can also increase your appeal to other companies and investors. Finding a large project costs a lot of time, money, and resources. If you’re able to show how your establishment contributes to global waste production, financial contributors are more likely to put their money into your pocket.
Improves the Economy
Commercial recycling also has benefits outside of your specific business. Repurposing and recycling have become an industry of their own, and these ventures employ thousands of professionals. Contributing to industrial recycling stimulates the economy and increases job opportunities.
Think about it like this: we need people to manage recycling sites and do physical labor. However, the career possibilities don’t end there. These facilities are businesses of their own, requiring HR departments, accounting experts, and benefits coordinators, to name a few. Commercial recycling opens doors for professionals in every field.
Encourages In-House Innovation
One of the hardest but often best things about sustainability is that it requires a level of creativity. You have to ask yourself, “what are some unique and engaging ways we can get people to take recycling seriously?” Doing this kind of work requires an innovative team of passionate people.
Coming up with creative ways to approach commercial recycling often has a domino effect. Once you ask people to flex their imaginative chops, they will carry that energy over into other aspects of your corporation. You won’t just have a group of recycling experts but also a staff filled with inventive workers who want to better your company.
It’s clear that commercial recycling is a practice you can’t afford to miss. Now that you know all of the benefits incorporating sustainability has for your business, contact Clean Management Environmental Group. From California to the Carolinas, we are an expert industrial disposal service ready to handle your recycling needs.
