How to minimise business waste.
The increasing volume of waste generated by the developing world is one of the biggest problems faced by the world today. Packaging is often highlighted as an area of significant waste. In this article we will look at how you as an organisation can work towards minimising your waste.
Waste minimisation in practice
Waste minimisation can lead to cost savings for organisations. Some practical steps for achieving waste minimisation are outlined below:
- Current practise. Consider:
- How much waste is currently being created?
- Waste should be classified by type e.g. paper, card, metal etc… and category e.g. Inert, Hazardous, non-hazardous, clinical and radioactive
- What disposal methods are currently being used. Which contractors are being used?
- How much did it cost last year to dispose of each waste type?
2. Identify Opportunities. Consider:
- Is the organisation ordering surplus goods that it does not need?
- Are manufacturing processes using raw materials efficiently?
- Are there opportunities for investing in more efficient equipment or processes?
- Can any materials currently going to waste be re-used?
- Is it possible to switch to more efficient waste contractors?
3. Set KPIs and Targets. Consider:
- Setting KPIs e.g. waste produced per unit of production or output.
- Setting improvement targets.
4. Responsibilities and Training. Consider:
- That clear responsibilities need to be identified for waste management.
- That all enployees need to be trained so they can play their part e.g. understanding how particular wastes should be dealt with.
5. Monitor Performance. Consider:
- Performance against KPIs and targets need to be assessed.
- Cost savings need to be recorded.
- Improvements need to be communicated widely within the organisation.
The waste hierarchy
The waste hierarchy is a system of applying best practice to the management of waste. Follow these steps to help reduce, re-use and recycle your organisations waste.
By putting these steps into place you will help to reduce your organisations waste, will make cost savings and create a better office morale by doing your bit for the planet.
Published: 12th October 2021