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Cut Company Costs by Cutting Company Wastes - 1 - August 2000 Cut Company Costs by Cutting Company Wastes Overview As landfills fill to capacity and waste costs rise, there is increased pressure on business and industry to reduce solid waste disposal. In the years to come, it will become more important than ever for business and industry to find innovative ways to decrease their solid waste. Fortunately, there is also an opportunity to enjoy cost savings. This fact sheet is intended to help business and industry determine ways to both decrease their disposed tons and disposal costs. Benefits of Waste Reduction There are many environmental benefits from waste reduction. Avoiding waste slows the depletion of natural resources, conserves valuable landfill space, and cuts down on the pollution associated with manufacturing. In addition, waste reduction offers businesses further advantages, including: • Economic Advantages. Potential economic advantages of waste reduction include reduced waste disposal fees, savings in material and supply costs, revenues from marketing reusable materials, and savings from more efficient work practices. • Enhanced Corporate Image. An enhanced corporate image as an environmentally conscious company might attract customers. Surveys show that more and more consumers consider a firm’s environmental record when making purchasing decisions. • Improved Employee Morale. Employees may appreciate company’s efforts to reduce waste. This heightened morale could increase employee enthusiasm and productivity. • Compliance with Local or State Solid Waste Regulations. Some states and localities in the United States require businesses to take steps to reduce or recycle their solid waste. Some communities also restrict the amount or types of waste accepted at solid waste management facilities. By implementing an aggressive waste reduction program, a business can help ensure compliance with these requirements. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Many businesses and industries have opportunities to reduce, reuse, or recycle their solid waste. To get started, companies should closely examine their waste stream. A key step is to walk through the processes occurring at a given facility and identify where and why wastes are generated. Do not be afraid to look into garbage cans or dumpsters. Once this is completed, the next step is to determine which materials or wastes can be reduced, reused or recycled. Some basic approaches include: • REDUCE – Look for areas where packaging can be eliminated or reduced or where durable and reusable packaging might be employed. Using more durable equipment and supplies can also reduce disposal costs and waste. Review processes for potential to reduce trim waste and run- throughs. Improving production efficiency can go hand- in- hand with efforts to cut down on waste. Simple office reduction measures include reusing paper or printing and copying double sided. • REUSE – Often waste products during one aspect of an operation can be used elsewhere or in another capacity ( sometimes with sister facilities or other nearby industrial plants). Many N. C. DIVISION OF POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE 1639 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699- 1639 919.715.6500 800.763.0136
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Title | Cut company costs by cutting company wastes. - Page 1 |
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Full Text | Cut Company Costs by Cutting Company Wastes - 1 - August 2000 Cut Company Costs by Cutting Company Wastes Overview As landfills fill to capacity and waste costs rise, there is increased pressure on business and industry to reduce solid waste disposal. In the years to come, it will become more important than ever for business and industry to find innovative ways to decrease their solid waste. Fortunately, there is also an opportunity to enjoy cost savings. This fact sheet is intended to help business and industry determine ways to both decrease their disposed tons and disposal costs. Benefits of Waste Reduction There are many environmental benefits from waste reduction. Avoiding waste slows the depletion of natural resources, conserves valuable landfill space, and cuts down on the pollution associated with manufacturing. In addition, waste reduction offers businesses further advantages, including: • Economic Advantages. Potential economic advantages of waste reduction include reduced waste disposal fees, savings in material and supply costs, revenues from marketing reusable materials, and savings from more efficient work practices. • Enhanced Corporate Image. An enhanced corporate image as an environmentally conscious company might attract customers. Surveys show that more and more consumers consider a firm’s environmental record when making purchasing decisions. • Improved Employee Morale. Employees may appreciate company’s efforts to reduce waste. This heightened morale could increase employee enthusiasm and productivity. • Compliance with Local or State Solid Waste Regulations. Some states and localities in the United States require businesses to take steps to reduce or recycle their solid waste. Some communities also restrict the amount or types of waste accepted at solid waste management facilities. By implementing an aggressive waste reduction program, a business can help ensure compliance with these requirements. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Many businesses and industries have opportunities to reduce, reuse, or recycle their solid waste. To get started, companies should closely examine their waste stream. A key step is to walk through the processes occurring at a given facility and identify where and why wastes are generated. Do not be afraid to look into garbage cans or dumpsters. Once this is completed, the next step is to determine which materials or wastes can be reduced, reused or recycled. Some basic approaches include: • REDUCE – Look for areas where packaging can be eliminated or reduced or where durable and reusable packaging might be employed. Using more durable equipment and supplies can also reduce disposal costs and waste. Review processes for potential to reduce trim waste and run- throughs. Improving production efficiency can go hand- in- hand with efforts to cut down on waste. Simple office reduction measures include reusing paper or printing and copying double sided. • REUSE – Often waste products during one aspect of an operation can be used elsewhere or in another capacity ( sometimes with sister facilities or other nearby industrial plants). Many N. C. DIVISION OF POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE 1639 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699- 1639 919.715.6500 800.763.0136 |