Reducing waste is something that makes sense on many levels. Whether it be a personal household or a large corporation, it’s good for the environment – and more immediate and tangible for most – it’s great for saving money and effective enterprise expense management in the corporate arena.
Executives have always been motivated by profit, but now they are beginning to be motivated more by ethical considerations as well as they ask themselves the central question related to waste: How do we keep waste to a minimum and handle existing waste most responsibly to save money?
Less material waste translates directly to reduced waste of money and the multiple benefits of recycling as detailed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) help save money and preserve the environment.
The financial incentive is what captures the imagination of most management teams and why this topic has gained more traction in recent years, according to Harvard Business Review (HBR). The idea of prudent and responsible handling of physical waste is no longer seen as incompatible with financial gains within corporate culture.
In fact, it’s now common knowledge that the greater the reduction of waste (e.g., less use of plastic eating utensils), and the better handling of existing waste (e.g., recycling of cell phones), the less negative impact on corporate financial margins.
So, the old thinking of viewing standard corporate practices at odds with ethical community standards no longer holds the same sway that it once did. Given advances in technology and societal awareness, these two aims are now aligned; they are no longer seen as mutually exclusive.
This is genuine progress, even if painstakingly gained by decades of slow slogging through all the cultural, political, and corporate hurdles that impeded progress to this point. Now, the conversation is not about whether to even bother with trying to reduce waste or handle it responsibly, but rather centered, again, around the key question: How do we keep waste to a minimum and handle existing waste most responsibly to save money?
Let’s consider, in more detail, other areas beyond traditional Telecom Expense Management that impact organizational bottom-lines. The following areas are directly related to waste reduction and responsible waste management:
1. Simple Ways to Reduce Waste
Please see below for a bulleted summarization of some basic changes in work practices that can be implemented to reduce waste.
Writing Paper:
- Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos
- Proofread documents on the computer screen before printing them
- Save documents electronically instead of making hard copies
- Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by writing to the Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 and asking that your business be removed from mailing lists
- Use remanufactured office equipment
- Use centralized files for hard copies
- Buy recycled paper
- Keep mailing lists current
- Reuse manila envelopes
- Make scratch pads from used paper
- Circulate memos, documents, periodicals, and reports rather than making or buying individual copies for all personnel
Packaging and Shipping:
- Order merchandise with minimal packaging, in concentrated form, or in bulk
- Ask suppliers not to overpackage orders
- Request that materials you order be shipped in returnable containers
- Reuse foam packaging pellets ("peanuts") and cardboard boxes or find someone who will
- Set up a system for returning cardboard boxes and foam pellets to distributors for reuse
- Return, reuse, and repair wooden pallets
- Replace cardboard boxes with durable, reusable boxes for shipments to your branch offices, stores, and warehouses
Equipment:
- Use remanufactured office equipment
- Invest in durable, repairable equipment
- Use copiers that make two-sided copies
- Dishwashing equipment (so that you can use durable dinnerware)
- Use rechargeable batteries
- Recharge fax and printer cartridges
- Install reusable furnace and air conditioner filters
Landscaping and Organic Wastes:
- Choose a landscape design that requires little maintenance and water
- Compost grass clippings and leaves to make a valuable soil amendment (or make sure your landscape contractor composts)
- Purchase compost for use as a topsoil amendment (or request that your landscape contractor do so)
- Use a worm bin to convert nonfatty food wastes into high-quality potting soil (vermicompost)
Food and Personal Services:
- Instead of paper, use cloth towels, tablecloths, and napkins
- Avoid using disposable tableware when serving food and drinks to the public; use durable dishes, flatware, cups, and glasses. You will need a dishwasher, but the cost savings will quickly pay for it
- Use cloth roll towels in the restrooms
- Encourage employees to use durable cups and dinnerware for their food and beverages
2. Keys to a Successful Waste Reduction and Recycling Program
The key steps of an effective waste reduction program include:
(1) Planning, (2) setting the foundation, and (3) execution.
Listed below are specifics associated to each step.
Planning:
- Study the waste stream and the costs associated
- Develop a waste reduction proposal and gain the support of your management team
- Assess employees' interest and encourage their support
The Foundation:
- Select a waste reduction and recycling coordinator
- Set goals
- Decide on waste reduction measures, procurement policies, and what will be recycled
- Locate markets for waste materials or select a recycling service
- Identify sources of recycled products
- Design a waste collection and storage system
Execution:
- Educate your staff
- Promote and implement the program
- Establish monitoring and evaluation procedures
3. Buying Recycled Products
Collecting recyclable items is only the first step in recycling. The loop is not complete until these items are made into new products and purchased.
By purchasing products that are (1) manufactured from recycled materials, (2) recyclable, and (3) packaged in recyclable materials, you will help create a stable market for recycled items. Look for the following items made from recycled materials the next time your company purchases supplies:
- Office, copier, and computer paper
- Stationery and envelopes
- Tissue, hand towels, and toilet paper
- Cardboard and paper board containers
- Packaging materials
- Lubricating and motor oil
- Plastic carpeting, lumber, screens, and downspouts construction materials
- Asphalt
Purchasing used, refurbished items instead of new ones helps, too. Look for:
- Recharged laser printer cartridges
- Retreaded tires support
- Used and refurbished office furniture or machinery
Summary
Strong waste management practices are not only good for the environment, but they are great for overall enterprise expense management and the company bottom-line.
However, corporate enterprises also need to think about all aspects of managing their expenses in the aggregate, not just waste management expenses. This can also entail traditional Telecom Expense Management (TEM) services related to network communications. In fact, Tellennium’s expense management platform – Management of Things® – encompasses all pertinent enterprise expenses including utility expenses and all daily routine expenses that add up and narrow corporate margins. When considering ways to curtail waste management costs, you may find it worth considering how you can effectively rein in other organizational expense lines.
If you have not read part 1 Waste Management – Reducing Waste to Save Money
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