by ::: Radar Communication :::
Waste Prevention
Waste prevention is eliminating waste before it is created. For many companies, this involves eliminating waste that would go into their own dumpsters, as well as materials that would become waste for their customers. Some ways to prevent waste are to use less of a material, reuse materials and supplies, and purchase products that create less waste.
What Would I Do as a WasteWi$ e Member?
As a WasteWi$ e member, you would commit to identify and implement three significant waste prevention actions. Your firm would choose these actions after you have determined that they are practical and cost-effective. The types of actions your firm could implement include:
- Purchasing supplies in reusable containers
- Reducing paper use through electronic communication and double-sided photocopies.
- Leaving grass clippings on the lawn.
- Redesigning products or packaging to use less material.
- Working with vendors to reduce transport packaging.
- Using two-way envelopes for billing customers.
Recycling Collection
Recycling collection involves the separation, collection, storage, and removal of recyclable materials. It also includes composting materials off-site such as in a municipal composting program. Items collected for recycling will vary depending on the materials your company generates and the availability of markets for those materials. Collection of recyclables is a high-profile activity that many companies are already enthusiastically implementing.
What would I Do as a WasteWi$ e Member?
As a WasteWi$ e member, you would commit to expand or improve programs for collecting recyclables on company premises. This may mean starting a new program, if you don’t already have one. It could also mean making improvements to an existing program by adding new materials to be collected, improving program efficiency through activities like employee education, or providing community outreach.
- Common recyclables include:
- Computer printout paper
- Corrugated cardboard
- Newsprint and magazines
- High-grade paper (e.g., copier paper)
- Low-grade paper (e.g., colored paper)
- Glass containers
- Plastic containers
- Aluminum containers
- Steel containers
Buying or Manufacturing Recycled Products
Buying recycled means purchasing products that contain both preconsumer and postconsumer recovered materials. Company purchasing officials can work with your suppliers and vendors to determine which products contain recycled content. Often these products are competitively priced compared to virgin products.
Manufacturing recycled, an option available to manufacturers, means increasing the amount of postconsumer recovered materials in products, thus ensuring that collected materials are used in new products.