How Even Small Businesses Can Benefit From Better Waste Recycling

Over the last couple of decades, there has been a massive global shift towards better recycling practices.

While there is still a long way to go before we can relax about the state of the environment, many recent statistics are encouraging and reflect a largely positive shift towards a more sustainable future for us all.

One of the biggest contributors to the environmental impact of waste is the commercial sector. Now that so many individuals have embraced new recycling and waste reduction practices, it’s increasingly vital for businesses of all sizes to do their bit in protecting the planet’s valuable resources.

Given that small and medium-sized enterprises make up an enormous proportion of many global economies, it’s easy to see just how much impact small businesses can have on reducing the effects of commercial waste on the environment.

Hopefully, this inspires you to give some thought to how your business can make a positive difference in the world, in terms of reducing its carbon footprint and the strain on natural resources.

But even beyond the ethical considerations, the good news is that better waste management and recycling can benefit all businesses, and this is especially true for the many millions of small businesses around the world.

How Better Waste Recycling Can Benefit Small Businesses

• Save Money

Any sound business needs to keep an eye on its expenses and outgoings. One way to reduce business costs is by exploring better recycling practices within your company.

For example, you could benefit from reduced costs of waste collection when you recycle some of your own commercial waste products.

Depending on the nature of your business, it may not always be practical to recycle some things on the premises, but some areas where it’s usually possible to reduce waste are typical office materials such as paper, card, ink cartridges, office equipment or furniture.

• Save Time

Another potential benefit of upgrading your company’s recycling practices could be in saving one of the most precious resources of all: time.

Your business could save time by investing in commercial waste recycling experts to manage your recycling for you.

Though this may seem like an additional expense, if your team’s time is better spent on more profitable activities than managing your own business waste and recycling, it can be a sound investment both in the environment and your bottom line.

• Global Benefits

The more that each individual business improves its waste management and recycling practices, the better for everyone – including other businesses.

As more and more people and companies reduce the strain on natural resources, there is a positive ripple effect for all sectors of society. These go beyond the environmental aspects and include social and economical improvements that benefit everyone.

So, if you’d like to save time, save money and be part of the improving global picture where all commercial enterprises do their bit to support the good of the planet and the whole, here are a couple of ways that you can improve the waste recycling practices within your business – whatever its size.

Tips For Better Waste Recycling

• Buying/selling second hand

Online auction sites are booming – and with good reason. There are so many benefits to purchasing items second-hand. They say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure and this can be as true in business as anywhere else. So instead of taking your less-than-perfect office furniture or devices to landfill sites, is there someone on your team who could list them on an auction site or ‘freecycle’ them?

• Donating to charity

For any office materials that aren’t suitable for selling, you may be able to donate them to charity rather than putting them in the bin. Some charities are incredibly grateful for things like mobile phones and can recycle them on your behalf.

In the 21st century, ethical business practices are no longer an optional ideal -they are a crucial part of a modern brand image.

With the rise of social media and online searches, the general public is soon made aware of which businesses are doing their bit for the planet.

While this may seem like an additional burden for a small business, it can become a positive and future-conscious approach when looking at the long-term and the bigger picture.

It can also help to remember how being proactive with better waste management could actually have beneficial effects on your business.

It’s good to know that it literally pays to take the initiative to improve your business’s eco-credentials – both for your own commercial success and the whole global family. 

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.