How to reduce waste is one of the most highly requested search queries on major search engine platforms. This should not come as a major surprise given the global rise in waste consciousness, as well as the want for people to save money through waste measures.
Companies like Cleanway have the experience and expertise to both answer this question and to take it a step further. Our team of waste management experts can provide advice to both managers and homeowners alike.
This blog explores how to reduce waste. It addresses this question alongside basic waste management best practices so that the solutions found are effective and efficient.
Why Reduce Waste?
People should try to reduce waste in order to lessen the burden on existing waste management infrastructure. Common examples of this include municipal landfills, dumpsites, and other waste systems. They also operate alongside recycle waste infrastructure.
Waste reduction often begins at the source. Modern manufacturers often produce products that do not simply need to be disposed of. Rather, they can be reused in more efficient ways that do not cause excess carbon dioxide emissions.
This taps into the heart waste reducing waste. The goal should be to find more efficient ways of managing waste and garbage products so that they are no longer seen as waste but rather something with potential, untapped value.
The Waste Management Hierarchy
The waste management hierarchy highlights numerous strategies currently employed by companies in the waste sector. Its primary objective is to encourage more effective and sustainable waste disposal methods.
Simply dumping all types of waste into a landfill or dump site is no longer the ultimate approach to waste management. Such a method often worsens the environmental impact of climate change and carbon emissions.
Waste Prevention
Waste prevention, as a strategy for waste management, focuses on the need to stop waste generation altogether. It addresses a comprehensive requirement to minimise unnecessary production that leads to unused or obsolete products.
Waste Reduction
Similar to prevention, waste reduction aims to decrease the overall generation of waste and other garbage types. It targets waste at the production level by encouraging manufacturers to lower total production through more efficient methods. A successful waste reduction initiative also decreases disposal costs and lessens the strain on natural resources faced by processing facilities.
Waste Reusing
Techniques for reusing waste rank just below waste reduction. At this point, it is assumed that necessary measures have been taken to minimise production. Waste reuse seeks to find creative ways to reinvigorate waste instead of destroying, converting, or entirely discarding it.
Waste Recycling
Recycling is among the most recognised methods of waste management, involving the discovery of new uses for discarded materials. This can include repurposing items or completely recreating products. Innovation plays a crucial role. Recycling programs contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and also generate jobs and community initiatives.
Waste Recovery
Waste recovery ranks low within the hierarchy. This method aims to extract salvageable components from discarded products and utilise them in new applications. It is commonly practised for large machine parts.
Waste Disposal
While waste disposal is perhaps the most familiar waste management technique, it is far from the most advantageous. Disposal should be regarded as a last resort because once something is discarded, it is essentially left to deteriorate and serves no further function.
Waste Reduction Methods
People who are interested in how to reduce waste can rely on the 9 general waste reduction methods mentioned below. These tactics provide a solid example of how the industry reduces waste. It can be a simple as using a recycling bin or reusing household items and recycled resources.
When it comes to waste reduction, it is important to consult an EPA-licensed waste management company like Cleanway. They can capable of managing household waste, building waste, and other common recycled materials.
Composting
Composting is a method of managing mainly organic waste. It involves utilising the natural breakdown processes of organic matters. Compost is great for dealing with food waste and other other green waste types.
Additionally compost can be reused to grow more organic products or for soil revitalisation. Composting can be done in a compost bin and a general waste bin.
Minimise food waste
Food waste accounts for a growing percentage of waste produced each year across the globe. It is a great example of why we need to find ways to better manage our waste by reducing excessive production at the start.
Ways to minimise food waste vary and have been explored in a number of blogs and articles. The main takeaway is that it is very possible to lessen it by being more mindful of production and to minimise waste food scraps.
Purchase items from secondhand stores
Purchasing items for secondhand stores and vintage clothes stores is a great way to get previously owned items at a fraction of the cost. They are a great example of seeing value in a product that will otherwise become waste.
Again, the major benefit of purchasing secondhand is that less waste needs to end up on landfills and dumpsites. Such tactics go to the heart of the waste management systems approach to being more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Steer clear of excessive packaging
Excessive packaging often adds more plastic waste than is needed to keep the product securely packaged. This means that more plastics needs to be disposed of than is really necessary which helps with waste minimisation.
When it comes to reducing waste, it is important to become mindful of how much waste you are generating. If you are buying products with excessive packaging then the company that you are working with might not have the same waste goals as you do.
Buy in bulk
Buying products in bulk can help with waste production due to the fact that these bulk decisions are often not taken as lightly as casual buying. This is a great first step when it comes to waste reduction.
At the end of the day, reducing waste must start with being mindful about waste. This first step can be taken through a Waste Audit.
Lessen packaging waste
Sometimes just using less of what is required is the essential first step in the waste reduction process. Lessening the amounts of plastics and other packaging products is a good first step towards this. This can also be done with reusable produce bags.
Additionally, we alluded earlier to not working with companies that use excessive packaging. If you are a business that uses a lot of packaging, consider reducing this to both lessen your waste and to attract like-minded, eco-friendly customers.
Utilise reuse platforms
The modern age has brought some welcome surprises to the waste management industry. One such example is the rise of reuse platforms that seek to reuse waste in new and innovative ways.
What’s more, they do not even need to provide ground breaking solutions. Simply resell or donation groups and forums are a part of a global drive to both connection people and to lessen the waste burden on our planet.
Purchase less and make thoughtful choices
A lot fo the waste management advice that we discuss in our Cleanway blogs begins by advocating for a more mindful approach to waste management. Simply seeing waste as more than a disposable item is the essential first step.
A firs step to take is to be more aware of what it is that you are buying. Only purchasing and using what is needed will help to ensure that excess is not created. Additionally, products that are designed well are also easily disposable in eco-friendly ways.
Opt for digital alternatives
The twenty-first century has brought about a host of new ways to store and manage information. It has changed many industries, and the driving force behind this has been the advantages of digital alternatives.
Using safe digital technologies for storage and general office management greatly reduces common office waste items like paper. Additionally, digital storage devices can hold a whole lot more than everyday options.
Closing thoughts
How to reduce waste is not a difficult task. A lot of it comes down to becoming more mindful about waste management. This entails looking at how waste is created and what can be done to lessen this.
The best place to start for anyone who wants to reduce their waste is to hire a waste management company to conduct a Waste Audit. Contact Cleaway today so that you can make more informed decisions about your waste.