Waste segregation is becoming increasingly popular in an environmentally conscious world. This is no different when it comes to the Australian business world and their methods of managing their waste in commercial spaces.
At times, waste management is an aspect of business operations that is frequently neglected. Many people quite simply do not care about waste management despite the efficiency that comes about when it runs smoothly.
Waste segregation is one such example. This blog explores the importance of waste segregation for businesses. It foregrounds it as another measure that managers should adopt to run a more efficient and effective business.
What Is Business Waste Segregation?
There are many waste segregation practices that you might already be familiar with. Recycling, for example, where special green bins are used for cardboard and paper, is an eco-friendly waste segregation process that many people already follow.
Additionally, certain types of waste need to be kept separate in order to protect human health and the surrounding environment from potential contamination. Hazardous waste, for instance, is often kept separate from other waste types.
Environmental Benefits of Waste Segregation
Waste segregation is known to have a positive environmental impact. Sustainable waste management helps to lessen the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and their subsequent effects on climate change.
Additionally, proper waste segregation minimises the risk to human health. The principles can be applied to organic waste, hazardous waste materials, liquid waste, food waste, non-hazardous waste, clinical waste, dangerous materials, and other waste types.
Lessens Landfill Waste
Australia generates millions of tonnes of waste each year. Most of this will end up in municipal landfills and dumpsites. Proper waste management techniques greatly reduce this and are a major reason why segregated waste is such a staple of the industry.
Protecting Natural Resources
Improper waste disposal can damage the surrounding environment. This can come about due to the presence of hazardous materials found in general waste, but it can also be caused by prolonged exposure to other dangerous materials.
Economic Benefits of Waste Segregation
While the environmental benefits are significant, waste segregation also makes good business sense. In general, having an efficient waste management system improves overall business efficiency. This is because it helps to incentivise employees to engage in general best practices.
Cost Savings
While there might be an initial cost to setting up waste separation infrastructure, the long terms costs of low. Additionally, having more efficient waste streams ensures that unnecessary fees and rates are minimised over time.
Revenue from Recyclables
Recycled materials are a great example of how one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Reusing old materials saves time and money and is great for the environment
Better Brand Reputation
Studies have shown that customers often choose businesses that follow environmentally friendly practices. By utilising the benefits of waste segregation, businesses can showcase this commitment and attract like-minded customers.
Operational Efficiency
Businesses often function better when they focus on the small things. Better waste management is one such aspect. Implementing waste separation policies will likely make workers more aware of general efficient business practices.
How to Implement Waste Segregation Practices
Adopting waste segregation doesn’t have to be complex or costly. Partnering with companies like Cleanway ensures that the steps taken to improve waste management systems are efficient, safe, and environmentally compliant.
Conduct a Waste Audit
A waste audit is a must for any business that wants to have more effective waste streams. Companies like Cleanway conduct these regularly and know how to help companies optimise practices like waste separation and segregation.
Provide Clear Bins and Labels
Sometimes, small steps like having clear bin labels go a long way in helping with waste segregation. It not only helps employees dispose of their waste correctly but also causes them to become more conscious of how they manage their waste and can even incentivise recycling waste items.
Educate Your Team
Do not expect your employees to know everything about waste management and segregation from the beginning. Consider setting up workshops where together you work at adopting environmentally friendly practices to help promote a sustainable future.
Contact Waste Management Providers
Companies like Cleanway know waste management. Working with them might come at a cost, but it also ensures that your business is following waste management best practices in an eco-friendly and efficient manner.
Monitor and Improve
Once a company has waste segregation policies in place, it is important that they constantly engage with them. No single solution is perfect, and many factors can change over time, especially when it comes to hazardous waste items and other general waste.
Businesses That Benefit from Waste Segregation
While every business can benefit from waste segregation, some industries stand to gain even more. This is because different businesses produce different waste materials. That being said, many of the waste management best practices are applicable to different waste types.
Restaurants and kitchens
Given the nature of these businesses, many of them can greatly benefit from waste segregation. This is especially true when it comes to organic waste and the need to safely dispose of it.
Retail and Warehousing
With high volumes of packaging materials, the retail sector can benefit from effective recycling programmes. Segregating cardboard, plastics, and metals ensures these materials are reused rather than wasted.
Offices
Offices produce a wide variety of waste, but common waste types include paper and e waste given how they work alongside daily operations. Having an effective waste to manage these waste types is crucial even if you do not work with hazardous materials.
Construction and Demolition
Construction and demolition companies need to work with waste management companies to ensure that their waste is not only disposed of safely but also correctly. They produce large amounts of varying waste types that require proper segregation.
Closing thoughts
Proper waste segregation is an important waste management tactic that is not difficult to implement. Many are just good efficient practices that can see businesses improve across many areas.
When it comes to setting up these practices, it is important to partner with an EPA-certified waste management company like Cleanway. We have the expertise, knowledge, and experience to ensure that your systems can be put in place in such a way that your waste becomes part of your business success.