The benefits of eco-friendly waste management for a small business

Author
Harvey Holloway
Freelance Digital Marketer
14th April 2021

As a small business, there are a lot of things to consider when starting out, and how to manage your waste may not be top of your priority list. However, there are a lot of reasons why eco-friendly waste management solutions can be beneficial not only to the environment but also to your business itself.

Environmental impact

Naturally, the environmental impact is the first thing that springs to mind when we hear the term ‘eco-friendly’. Many businesses generate a vast amount of waste that could be avoided or dealt with in a more environmentally friendly manner. 

The best thing you can do when trying to mitigate your waste output is to consider implementing different strategies for your day-to-day operations. Avoiding or reducing the use of certain items or materials in the first place can have a huge environmental impact. This is particularly relevant to certain types of cleaning products or plastics which may contain harmful chemicals and could be easily swapped out for eco-friendly versions. 

If you can’t avoid using something entirely, consider whether you might be able to find a re-useable or recyclable alternative, for example using ceramic mugs or glasses in your office instead of disposable cups. 

Perhaps there’s a way of treating your waste that minimises its environmental impact when you do have to dispose of it. Composting can be a fantastic solution to managing organic waste, which can then be re-used in its treated form.

Building reputation with customers and community

The public are becoming savvier about seeking out companies with a green ethos and a focus on sustainability. According to one study, 90% of millennials are more likely to buy from your business if they trust your commitment to sustainability and making eco-friendly choices, with 95% saying this is a contributing factor to whether they will recommend your business to family and friends. 

There are lots of green alternatives which could be easy swaps for your business and make an obvious splash with “conscious consumers”, for example, packaging materials, reusable or compostable straws, or paper bags instead of plastic. 

You may find that your compostable waste can be put to good use in your community as well. There are a lot of community garden projects or other charitable causes that would welcome excess organic waste. Partnering with these kinds of initiatives not only has environmental advantages but also builds up your business’ reputation and networks within your local community.

Financial impact

Avoiding or re-using certain items in your business can have a huge financial impact too. Consider whether documents really need to be printed, or whether they could be stored or sent electronically or via a cloud storage facility such as Dropbox. In today’s world, almost nothing really needs to be printed or sent through the post, with e-signature software also available to help reduce the need for unnecessary papers. 

Paper could also be re-used for note-taking, or printers set to print double-sided by default. Many businesses waste reams and reams of paper every day, which could be easily avoided by managing your usage more carefully, leading to long term savings on unnecessary products.

Water and power are also regularly wasted by businesses, and energy bills could be reduced by switching to a greener supplier such as Bulb or Ecotricity. Lights could be put on a timer to ensure they are switched off overnight, or a water meter could be installed at your premises to help you track your usage and make better informed decisions about how much is really necessary to run your business. 

Even something as simple as regular e-mail reminders or signage reminding staff or customers to switch off taps or lights could have an impact on your monthly outgoings.

Getting ahead of the curve

In 2018, the UK government published a Resources and Waste Strategy Plan, which sets out their mission “to double resource productivity and eliminate avoidable waste of all kinds (including plastic waste) by 2050”. By implementing eco-friendly waste management strategies in your business now, you’ll be getting ahead of the curve and be well-placed to fall in line more quickly and easily with stricter legislation in the future.

Some of their policies have a much tighter turnaround, including a plan to implement a total shift towards recyclable, re-usable, and compostable plastic packaging by 2025. As such, many businesses may need to completely adapt their current offering, and that process can take time, so it’s advisable to start sooner rather than later to ensure you can fully comply with the policies when they come into force.

Final thoughts

Sustainability is a key component in modern business for a variety of reasons, and eco-friendly waste management is a crucial part of achieving your sustainable business goals. Thinking about the waste your business is generating may not be the most glamorous task, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial outlay of time or money you may need to invest to introduce greener alternatives. 

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