Reducing Plastic Waste in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Construction, Industrial, and Manufacturing Sectors

Introduction

Plastic pollution is a significant issue, particularly in the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors which combined generate 600 million tons of global plastic waste annually. By adopting strategies to reduce plastic waste, businesses can enhance sustainability, ensure safety, and foster innovation and community. This guide provides practical tips, backed by statistics, real-world examples, and industry insights relevant to your industry.?

The Problem?

Construction Sector:?

• The construction sector alone generates an estimated 300 million tons of plastic waste annually. This includes packaging, protective sheeting, and plastic components used in building materials.?

• 25% of the total waste in construction comes from plastic packaging, according to the European Environment Agency .?

Industrial Sector:?

• Industrial operations produce significant amounts of plastic waste, especially in the form of packaging and containers. The industrial sector generates approximately 100 million tons of plastic waste each year globally.?

• This includes plastic waste from production processes, protective packaging, and plastic components used in machinery and equipment.?

Manufacturing Sector:?

• The manufacturing sector contributes to around 200 million tons of plastic waste annually. This includes waste from the production of plastic products, packaging, and plastic used in the manufacturing process.?

• The packaging industry, a subset of manufacturing, is a major contributor, with 40% of plastic produced each year used for packaging purposes (Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation ).?

Overall, the combined plastic waste from the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors accounts for a significant portion of global plastic waste. These sectors together generate approximately 600 million tons of plastic waste annually, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste reduction strategies and sustainable practices that can scale.?

Common Sources of Plastic Waste?

• Plastic Packaging: Wraps, bags, and films for protecting products.?

• Plastic Containers and Bottles: Drums, barrels, and bottles for storing materials and liquids.?

• Single-Use PPE: Disposable gloves, aprons, and other protective gear.?

• Plastic Pallets and Crates: Used for shipping and handling, often discarded after use.?

• Product Wrapping and Shrink Wrap: Securing products on pallets.?

• Molded Plastics and Off-Cuts: Defective parts and scraps from manufacturing.?

• Polystyrene and Foam Packaging: Cushioning and protecting products during shipping.?

• Plastic Strapping and Bands: Securing boxes and products.?

• Plastic Sheeting and Films: Surface protection and covering materials.?

• Adhesive Tapes and Labels: Used for packaging and sealing items.?

• Workforce Food and Beverage Containers: Single-use plastic bottles, cups, and utensils used by employees.?

The Impact of Plastic Waste?

Environmental Impact:?

• Plastic waste contributes to pollution, harming marine life and ecosystems (Source: World Wildlife Fund ). 86% of litter collected on Great Lakes beaches is composed either partially or fully of plastic, according to a new report released by the Alliance for the Great Lakes (Source: Alliance for the Great Lakes ).?

Microplastics and Human Health:?

• Studies have found that a liter of bottled water contains around 240,000 plastic particles, with 90% being nanoplastics, posing potential health risks as these particles can enter the human bloodstream (Source: NIH). Recent studies found nanoplastics in human and animal testes (Source: Toxicological Sciences ), with earlier research showing microplastics cross both the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier.

Waste Management Costs:?

• Businesses can spend significant amounts on managing plastic waste. On average, companies spend $30 to $50 per ton to dispose of plastic waste, which can add up to thousands of dollars annually for large organizations (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ). For businesses, managing end-of-life plastic waste can be a labor-intensive logistical and financial burden, adding significant costs to operations.?

Practical Tips for Reducing Plastic Waste

Conduct a Waste Audit?

• Action: Identify the main sources of plastic waste in your workplace.?
• Statistics: Businesses that conduct waste audits can reduce waste by up to 30% (Source: Waste Management World - WMW ).?
• Example Service: WM offers comprehensive waste audit services tailored to the construction and industrial sectors, helping businesses identify and minimize waste.?

Design Out Packaging Waste?

• Action: Redesign packaging to minimize waste.?
• Statistics: Approximately 30% of plastic packaging is not recovered and becomes waste. The global economy loses up to $120 billion annually due to plastic waste that could have been recycled (Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation , World Economic Forum ).?
• Real World Example: 艺康 's SmartPower? technology reduces plastic use by up to 99% by replacing five-gallon plastic pails with shrink-wrapped blocks. In 2023, Ecolab avoided 14.5 million pounds of virgin plastic resin.?

Implement Circular Economy Beverage Solutions?

• Action: Replace single-use bottled beverages with closed-loop vending.?
• Example Service: Kadeya closed-loop hydration stations dispense filtered water and other flavored beverages in reusable stainless steel bottles. Users return the bottle to the station for reuse. The system ensures bottles are cleaned and refilled, significantly cutting down plastic waste.?
• Real World Example: In a recent manufacturing pilot program, 41% of participants reported increased water intake during the workday. This initiative also led to a significant reduction in plastic waste, simultaneously promoting employee hydration, wellness, and safety.?

“I feel more alert and focused during the workday. I’m much less likely to make silly mistakes which can be critical safety issues.” - Kadeya pilot participant at a manufacturing worksite

Ban Single-Use Plastics on Site?

• Action: Prohibit the use of single-use plastics in the workplace.?
• Statistics: Worksites that ban single-use plastics see a reduction of up to 40% in plastic waste (Source: Journal of Cleaner Production).?
• Example Service: Plastic Pollution Coalition offers resources and support for implementing plastic-free policies, tailored for large-scale industrial and construction sites.?
• Real World Example: 索迪斯 eliminated 245 million single-use items at their locations, including plastic bags and stirrers, moving towards making plastic straws available by request only.?

Transform Waste Into New Materials?

• Action: Transform construction waste into low-carbon raw materials.?
• Statistics: 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from materials in the construction industry.
• Example Service: Mycocycle, Inc. 's process reduces the toxicity of materials and transforms construction waste into low-carbon raw materials using fungi, reducing the need to extract virgin raw materials from nature as well as plastic polymers.?By transforming waste into valuable biobased materials, they support a circular bioeconomy (Source: Mycocycle).?

Leverage Sustainable Product Sourcing

• Action: Source sustainable products and materials to reduce plastic waste.

• Statistics: Sustainable sourcing can reduce a company's plastic waste by up to 20% (Source: Trellis Group ).

• Example Service: ecomedes provides a platform to help companies identify and procure sustainable products, ensuring they meet environmental standards and reduce plastic waste.
• Real World Example: Ecomedes helped a major construction firm reduce their plastic waste by 25% by identifying and sourcing sustainable alternatives for their building materials and office supplies

Educate and Engage Employees?

• Action: Run awareness campaigns, training sessions, and programs that meet employees where they're at to help reduce plastic waste.
• Statistics: Employee engagement programs can lead to a 25% reduction in office waste (Source: Sustainability Journal ).?
• Example Service: 52% of employees reported feeling more connected to sustainability efforts, during a Kadeya pilot at a large corporate office with over 1,000 employees. Demonstrating Kadeya’s effectiveness in combating plastic pollution by engaging employees in corporate sustainability efforts through a daily touch point like grabbing a water bottle or favorite drink.?

Conclusion?

By implementing these strategies, businesses in the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors can significantly reduce their plastic waste, enhance sustainability, and improve safety and innovation. Partnering with services like Kadeya can be a low-lift step to making a tangible difference in achieving corporate waste reduction and sustainability goals. ?

A Quick Win

Join Kadeya in the mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles forever. Take the first step towards a waste-free worksite by exploring our closed-loop hydration solutions tailored for your industry. Visit kadeya.com to learn more and start your journey towards a plastic-free workplace today.?