Guide to Managing Your Waste

To save money use less, reuse more and efficiently manage what you discard

By Toni Klym McLellan, Freelance Writer & Editor, Toni Writes

Following the three Rs — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle — will have your company's output toned and fit in no time.

The benefits of efficient waste management include:

1. Producing less waste means less time spent managing it – or paying someone else to store or dispose of it.
2. Reduced paper and other clutter means less time wasted searching for necessary items and more time building your business.
3. Adopting a new, eco-friendlier or more efficient policy offers great PR opportunities.
4. The bottom line: efficiency costs less and earns more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a waste removal solution easily online

All trash removal services are not the same. Shop for best service and prices for the type and volume of waste your business produces.

I recommend: Waste Nations has a network of top trash haulers throughout North America ready to provide a full range of waste removal services. This one-stop waste management solution offers free quotes within 24 hours.

Be proactive and pare down

Having your business waste hauled away probably costs you money. The more waste, the more it costs. An ounce of waste prevention can save your business a ton. Do a waste audit. Look for ways to decrease waste.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WasteWise program offers tips on business waste reduction and prevention. One key way to accomplish this is to invest in high quality scanners to back up paper data - check out HP's Digital Sender – a workhorse designed just for this purpose.

Assess what can be reused and recycled

Implementing a company-wide recycling program doesn't have to be complicated; a few phone calls to your building manager or municipality to determine your options should get you started. Then e-mail a memo asking staff to participate.

I recommend: The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) offers great tips on going green and getting employees to get with the program. Check out Throwplace.com, the "Internet's landfill alternative," for a list of items to donate.

Unload excess stuff

All businesses need a cost-effective contractor to dispose of waste. Some contractors serve specific industries, so check with your local municipality or state EPA for green disposal services.

I recommend: Check the EPA's WasteWise Resource Management section to find an eco-friendlier resource management contractor. Contact your state's EPA to find industry-specific contractors specializing in waste disposal for your company.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For a business investment that's never wasted, be sure to back up all electronically stored data. System crashes are often described as 'when' rather than 'if.'
• •  Donate used items to charitable organizations and gain: feel-good waste reduction, a tax write-off, and positive buzz for your biz.
• •  Seemingly small steps like refilling ink and toner cartridges and switching to electronic document storage can ultimately yield big savings.
• •  Start an incentive program for employees to participate in a recycling program and offer rewards to the biggest contributors.
• •  Examine how other companies manage waste and implemented recycling programs to see what worked (and didn't) for them.