There has never been a greater need to deliver on environmental improvement and support decarbonisation against a backdrop of worrying global climate change. All businesses, of every size, are being called upon to reduce carbon emissions and be more sustainable
The call comes from consumers, shareholders, and governments. However, while the need to be more sustainable as a business is seen by some as a problem to overcome, rather, it should be seen as an opportunity.
In the field of waste management, there is plenty of opportunity to deliver improvement that we see many businesses not taking advantage of. Businesses are not expected to have all the answers on their own. Knowing how to leverage these opportunities, identifying and working with the right partner is key.
Waste is a sign of inefficiency that, if removed, can bring significant improvements to business profit. Any approach to improvement must take a holistic view of all waste streams, processes, suppliers, and methodologies to bring about change from top to bottom. Utilising waste management companies to provide this type of advice is common but unfortunately, we often find that priorities are not aligned. Waste management companies are under increasing pressure in the face of rising costs which affects them considerably. They are also increasingly exposed to turbulent waste markets abroad, as countries introduce tighter controls on what waste they will import. There is a greater need for them to collect more waste to leverage better deals for themselves. Given this, can we expect waste management companies to really provide bias-free support to deliver waste reduction and cost improvement?
In the world of waste, fortunately and contrary to common thinking, sustainability and expense reduction go hand in hand. Here are some guiding principles that we recommend our clients follow when identifying opportunities:
Waste Prevention and Reduction
This is often the most difficult to deliver because it involves looking at how your business operates to make changes. However, the hardest option is often the one with the greatest rewards. Typically, the direct savings attributed to a reduction in waste disposal leads to an indirect saving of ten times this amount in reduced raw material, processing, and labour costs. Reduced waste leads to reduced carbon emissions right the way through an organisation’s structure and often positively affects the supply chain too.
Recycling, Recycling, Recycling
If you have already introduced a recycling system, increasing the amount of waste that is recycled is the next opportunity.
Typically, organisations are unaware of the recyclability of various materials that are generally disposed of to landfill. Many require specialist guidance.
Reviewing Waste Handling Processes
Improving the efficiency of waste handling processes, such as the introduction of waste segregation, compaction, or baling, usually provides expense reduction opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise have been achieved. That is because such changes reduce vehicle movements, transport costs and maximise any rebates available. Fewer vehicle movements also benefit the environment. Our guiding principle is to identify and work with the right partner.
Expense Reduction Analysts enable our clients to take the lead on this journey by providing them with the information and support that they need. We are ever increasingly working with clients to help them deliver on their sustainability commitments and save money at the same time. This, on the face of it, can be challenging without the right expertise.
Our recommendations come from experts that work in the industry but have now turned to provide this cutting-edge advice to clients. It is not possible for businesses to have all the answers – a waste partner is key.