According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every year more than 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste is produced by American companies alone. That’s a staggering figure and underlines the need for effective waste management solutions not just in the U.S. but worldwide. (This is one reason why the waste management business has become such a booming one.)
But implementing robust waste management practices isn’t just about caring for the environment, as critical as that consideration is. It’s also a good business move: offering quantifiable economic and reputational benefits that will help position your company for long-term success. And a good waste management business–one that knows what effective waste management service is–can take you a long way towards achieving those benefits.
Economic Benefits
Cost Savings
Cost savings tops the list when thinking about how effective waste management benefits businesses. By reducing the sheer volume of waste a business needs to rid itself of, it can lower waste disposal costs. Think about it; every time a waste management service vehicle needs to stop by your business you’re charged for it. Thus, less waste translates directly into less cost.
The other way effective waste management benefits businesses is through the age-old practices of recycling and reuse. That is, if you’re reusing packaging materials in the shipping department, or repurposing scrap materials for use in the manufacturing process, you’ll obviously need to purchase fewer new materials for either purpose–a direct cost savings.
Revenue Generation
But proper waste management isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s also about new revenue streams. To wit, you don’t just have to reuse or recycle the materials you need to get rid of, you can sell them. Paper. Plastic. Metals. And more. What might be garbage to you could be gold to someone else. Some businesses are even turning waste into entirely new products. A win-win.
Environmental Benefits
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Here’s another way effective waste management benefits companies: Because landfills emit carbon into the atmosphere, by minimizing the waste sent to landfills businesses lower their greenhouse gas emissions and thus their carbon footprint. This is a key performance indicator when it comes to how much companies are doing to fight the effects of global warming and climate change–something the people who buy your products and services are going to increasingly care about, even if there are ebbs and flows in the cultural conversation about it.
Resource Conservation
Whether it’s via cutting down trees or mining the land, the procurement of new raw materials ultimately depletes the total amount available in the world for everyone’s use, now and into the future. Efficient waste management benefits businesses and humanity as whole, then, by helping to conserve these virgin resources–preserving forests, waters, minerals, and the land.
Reputational Benefits
Improved Public Image
As noted, society as a whole is more environmentally conscious than ever. Thus, businesses that demonstrate corporate social responsibility through effective waste management practices can maintain or even significantly improve their public image. Optics matter, and reputational damage caused by a lack of attention to such things can do real bottom-line harm. By reducing waste and implementing sustainable practices, companies build trust with those members of society who are their consumers and stakeholders–fostering loyalty and brand strength.
Competitive Advantage
Environmentally conscious consumers want to buy from environmentally conscious companies. Think of prioritizing efficient waste management practices, then, as another way to differentiate your company from your competitors, as a way to attract eco-conscious consumers. A competitive advantage like this can also open doors to new markets and new partnerships.
Compliance Benefits
Getting Ahead of the Curve
When it comes to waste management practices, regulatory requirements are only going to get stricter over time, even if the pendulum tends to swing with the comings and goings of different state, local, and federal administrations. It’s part of the zeitgeist. By adopting the most efficient and effective waste management practices now, you’re far less likely to find yourself scrambling to catch up to an abrupt change in environmental regulation–one which could leave your company paying costly fines and penalties, or even disrupting your business operations.
Certification and Accreditation
Achieving certifications like ISO 14001, which focuses on environmental management systems, can enhance a company’s credibility. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, which can go a long way toward improving credibility with clients, partners, investors–and even consumers–who value sustainability and take note of such things.
Operational Efficiency
Streamlined Processes
Waste management benefits businesses even in areas you might not expect, like operations. Better waste handling and management processes reduce inefficiencies in the business. Anytime you can streamline processes you’re bound to increase overall productivity.
Employee Engagement
If you think of your employees as a subset of society as a whole, it makes sense that if more and more consumers are eco-conscious, more and more of your employees will be. As such, focusing on good waste management practices can also positively impact employee morale. Fostering a culture of sustainability encourages such employees to take pride in their company’s environmental efforts, increasing engagement and, hence, their productivity.
Change Is Good
As the world changes business has to change with it. This is a good thing. Everything evolves, and those businesses open-minded and nimble enough to roll with change and adapt to it is what will make them top performers in the long run. So as the world becomes more eco-conscious, the businesses that embrace this change and find ways to make the most of it are going to find more ways to be successful. Period. Now is the time for businesses to take action–to get ahead of the change curve by implementing robust waste management practices and reap the economic, environmental, and reputational benefits that come with them.
