Sustainable practices for businesses: A guide to responsible recycling

By Sam Bonner, Marketing Windfield Recycling

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), businesses generate about 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste annually. Recycling has become more than just the environmentally responsible thing to do, it's a foundational part of every business.?

In today's eco-conscious world, businesses are frequently adopting new solutions to help them manage their sustainability in both an ecological and economical sense. Responsible recycling has become a key player in sustainable business practices across the globe.

Comprehensive recycling solutions look different for every business. Finding the best solution for your company can be intimidating, however finding the right recycling service can lead your business to a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable future.

Benefits of Responsible Recycling for Businesses

Cost Savings

Implementing a recycling program has many benefits, one of the main drivers for companies who are looking to engage in responsible recycling is cost savings. By recycling, businesses can save money on waste disposal fees. By diverting a significant amount of material into recycling, you avoid landfill fees and benefit from the value of material within metals and electronics when you work with a trusted recycling company.

Regulatory Compliance?

On the other side of the same coin, a responsible recycling program can save you thousands by adhering to disposal regulations and avoiding the fines and legal issues that can arise through improper waste management. Many regions have strict laws regarding the disposal of various materials, and starting a recycling program helps to ensure that your business follows these guidelines. Following these laws and regulations also showcases your business’s commitment to environmental sustainability which is a beneficial reputation to have when working with government agencies and public relations.??

Corporate Social Responsibility?

This leads us straight into Corporate Social Responsibility or “CSR”. It is an important factor for businesses that are looking to build a positive brand image to recycle responsibly. Instituting a comprehensive recycling program shows your business’s commitment to environmental stewardship, making your business more attractive to environmentally conscious markets and the customers and investors that lie within them. With the recent emergence of a more environmentally conscious world, consumers and investors are more likely to do business that prioritizes environmental sustainability.

Responsible recycling is not only a pathway that leads to financial and regulatory sustainability, but it is also a strategic advantage that can give your business the edge over others in an increasingly competitive market.

Practical Tips for Implementing Sustainable Waste Management?

Conduct Waste Audits

Conducting a waste audit is an important first step toward implementing a commercial recycling program. Waste audits allow you to take inventory of the waste your business is producing and better understand what your needs may be to recycle effectively.

1. Plan: Think about what waste you are producing and who within your company can provide insight into each department’s specific needs. Then, come up with goals for your recycling program. This team within a company is often referred to as the “Sustainability Committee”. This will allow you to get informed opinions about your recycling needs and help to create a structure that allows you to adapt to any shifts in your recycling needs.
2. Collect Data: Now that you have a team assembled you need to measure your waste output. Analyzing the kind of waste you are producing, whether it be metal, electronics, or any other waste, it's important to understand what can be redirected to a recycler. The next thing you need to know is the volume of waste, this can be achieved by setting aside a week for observation. Take note of exactly what kind of waste and how much you are producing.
3. Categorize and Analyze: Look at the data and sort waste into categories such as paper, plastics, electronics, metals, and organic materials. Identify patterns where waste is more prevalent.
4. Look for Opportunities: Now that you have a good understanding of your data, look for places where you can reduce, reuse, or recycle different material.?

Establish a Recycling Program

Now that you know what your needs are it's time to get the ball rolling. Establishing a comprehensive plan for your recycling program is essential to the success of your sustainability goals.

1. Choose a Recycling Partner: Partner with a recycler recognized by a third-party organization that guarantees proper handling of your recycled materials. Picking a partner that you can trust and who can manage multiple waste streams helps to simplify finances and logistics.
2. Setup Collection Systems: Proper in-house disposals help to streamline collection efforts, making your recycling program more efficient. Sorting and labeling material ensures a clean and effective system that is easy to keep track of.
3. Inform Your Team: Keep everyone on your team up to speed on your recycling goals by creating clear policies and procedures relating to your disposal operations.
4. Analyze and Improve: These instructions will give you a good foundation, but just like any effective business operation it's important to always keep an eye out for opportunity. Analyze your program and make improvements to address any shortcomings.

Choose Reputable Recycling Partners

Partnering with a reputable recycling partner is crucial to the success of your environment-first mission. A recycler who is equipped with the expertise, equipment, and facilities to process a wide variety of materials?ensures that your assets are recycled efficiently and responsibly. Research potential partners. Look for recycling companies who can support your needs and have a proven track record of reliability and sustainability.

When choosing a recycler it is extremely important to verify that they are a certified recycler. Industry-recognized organizations like International Organization for Standardization or Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) ensure that the recycling company you are partnering with adheres to the regulations set forth for responsible recycling. These certifications (ISO 14001 and R2V3) ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards, help to mitigate the risk of improper disposal, Promote accountability, and support sustainability.

Why Partner with Windfield

Expertise in Sustainable Recycling

We are an industry leader in innovating the most effective practices for sustainable recycling. We have been refining our processes and expanding our expertise since we were established in 1978 to provide comprehensive solutions to fit the needs of any industry, allowing us to confidently serve any business we partner with.?

Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

We prioritize environmental responsibility, ensuring the proper handling and recycling of metal, electronics, and waste. We strictly adhere to the standards of our certifications and are always looking for new ways to reduce carbon footprint.

Certifications and Accreditations

We hold the following certifications, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and? R2 V3, reflecting our unwavering commitment to occupational health and safety, responsible recycling practices, and environmental management.?This is one way we show our dedication to the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and compliance in every aspect of our operations.

All-in-one Service

We offer a comprehensive range of services built around adaptability, innovation, and efficiency; from electronics recycling, IT Asset Disposition, metal recycling, and refinement, to waste services. Our global network enables us to service clients, big or small, next door, across the country, or around the world.

Customer Satisfaction and Reputation

Customers are our top priority. We ensure our customers receive full transparency from immediate communication when material is received to regular recycling reports. Windfield's track record of reliability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility makes us a trusted partner in the recycling industry.

In today’s eco-driven business landscape, recycling has become an essential business practice. Creating a responsible recycling solution for your business not only helps to reduce your carbon footprint, it can create opportunities in brand image, efficiency, and profitability.?

To learn more about how you can partner with Windfield you can visit our website or contact us directly.

Visit us at windfield-us.com

Further reading

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-03/documents/industrial-waste-guide.pdf

https://sustainableelectronics.org/

https://www.iso.org/home.html