Every commercial business, from the foodservice industry and property management to corporate offices and hospitals, generates some level of waste. In today’s modern business world, sustainability is key. Thus, it has become essential to consider the management and reduction of waste on commercial properties.

In an effort to “go green,” more and more commercial businesses are implementing waste reduction and management tactics throughout all levels of the company and across properties. The benefits of waste management are plenty. Consideration of these issues can save money, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable work environment.

There are a variety of ways to implement waste reduction tactics in a commercial setting. The following are seven top tips for reducing and managing waste on commercial properties:

1. Start a Task Force

The first step to reducing waste on your commercial property and within your business is to start a waste management team or task force if one does not already exist. The waste management task force should set short and long term waste reduction and management goals, as well as implement a waste tracking system for the company. It’s important to create a team of diverse individuals from all levels within the company so that the set goals are attainable company-wide.

2. Track and Assess Your Waste

Tracking and assessing your commercial property’s waste levels is essential in reduction and management. By tracking waste being hauled away, you can see where you’re contributing the most waste and spending the most money.

Does your commercial property take up just a few industrial dumpsters a week, or are large-scale roll-off containers being filled with waste and hauled away each week? Regardless of the level of waste removal happening at your property, tracking is a necessary part of waste management.

Weigh out a standard load of waste in whatever receptacle your property uses. Now there will be a decent standard of measurement to be used when comparing waste levels.

Remember, sustainability means savings too. There may be cheaper options for waste hauling than just taking it to the local landfill. Or your commercial property may be throwing away unused materials when spending on that material could just be cut. Plus, by tracking your waste levels, it becomes easier to track reduction progress and savings over time.

3. Address Your Budget

Addressing budgetary spending is another important factor in waste reduction and management for commercial businesses. Take a look at where there is a lot of spending.

How high are your removal costs and can they be lowered? Perhaps you’re spending a lot on paper waste removal when a recycling program could be easily and inexpensively implemented. Encourage company management to consider alternative removal services and recycling programs to cut down costs.

Reducing waste on your commercial properties will actually allow more breathing room in the budget. Talk with local governing bodies or businesses to learn more about the cost of different waste management services that will benefit your property and potentially lower your bottom line.

4. Reduce

To make waste management, well, more manageable, commercial businesses must first reduce their waste altogether. Now that you’re tracking waste, this task is not as difficult as it seems.

Have you noticed that a lot of excess printer paper is being thrown away? Implore company higher-ups to consider going paperless or implement a company-wide paper recycling program. Print all necessary materials double-sided and scale back paper purchasing to discourage people from overusing the materials.

Encourage employees to bring lunches and beverages in reusable containers to reduce day to day waste in break rooms and offices across properties. Offering free, reusable water bottles and tote bags is a fantastic way to encourage this behavior.

5. Reuse

Now that you’ve begun to reduce your commercial waste, the next step is to start reusing what you can, when you can. By offering employees reusable plastic water bottles and bags, not only will plastic waste be reduced, but you get (practically) free marketing!

Another great way to manage waste through reuse is by donating unused products or perishable foods to local organizations. Many local food banks or health clinics will even pick up the materials at no cost to you. It’s free, sustainable, and your company could potentially help someone in need in the community.

6. Recycle

Probably the most often discussed factor of waste reduction and management is recycling. Utilize your newly created waste management task force to implement a property-wide recycling program for papers and plastics.

Composting is recycling too! If your commercial business has a lot of excess raw material waste, consider starting a composting program as well. Just remember to stay consistent with the location and color of compost and recycling bins throughout the property.

Recycling keeps tons - literally tons - of waste from winding up in landfills each year. It is an essential process in creating new and usable materials. It saves energy, money, and increases your commercial property’s sustainability levels.

7. Incentivize and Encourage

Now that you have become aware of some techniques to reduce and manage waste on commercial properties, they must be implemented. It is not enough to simply set out recycling bins though.

Encourage employees on the property or within the company to participate in these new waste management programs through incentives. Start a recycling program with prizes like gift cards for coffee or an extra-long lunch break for the property with the most recyclables collected.

Departments can compete from month to month to see who can have the lowest levels of non-recyclable or compostable waste. How will you know what department is the “winner”? Now that you’re tracking your waste levels, it will be easy to see where the least and most waste is coming from.

Continue to encourage your commercial business employees to participate in waste reduction and management programs perpetually. Post thorough and uniform signage throughout the property as reminders. Also, send regular company-wide emails to emphasize the importance of following waste disposal protocol and contributing to reduction efforts.

Conclusion

There are many ways to reduce waste on commercial properties. After considering the aforementioned tips on waste reduction and management, implement new strategies on the property to start seeing progress in real-time.

However, touching on the topic of waste reduction and management one time is not enough for the continued success of the program on your commercial property. Waste management requires time and effort before, during, and after implementation.

Commercial property and business owners must continue to stress the importance of waste reduction and recycling to guarantee the longevity and continued success of the waste management program.

7 Tips for Reducing and Managing Waste on Commercial Properties