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Waste Reduction Strategies For Businesses
| The best way to reduce waste and
save money is to avoid creating waste in the first place. Here
are some ideas that could be used to reduce waste in your
company's operations. |
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CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION
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Use building materials made with
recycled content.
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Recycle construction and demolition
waste (eg., wood, metals, concrete, etc.)
Local Resource - Heartwood
Resources
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For further descriptions of ways to
reduce construction and demolition waste, read these two documents produced by Douglas County
COPYING
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Double-side copies - Establish a policy
to encourage double-sided. Post a sign by the photocopier to remind
staff. Some copiers can be programmed to default to double-siding.
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Specify double-sided copying for all
jobs sent print shops.
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Re-use single-sided paper for drafts,
scratch paper or packaging materials.
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When preparing reports, think about how
they will be recycled later and design for recyclability. Phase out
the use of colored divider sheets, and non-recyclable covers and
binding material. If possible, staple reports together or use a three
hole punch and encourage the use of reusable three ring binders.
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Use only the amount of paper you need.
Post a sign at the photocopier (e.g., Think Before You Copy or Do You
Need This Copy?).
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Recharge ink cartridges.
FILING
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Create a central filing system instead
of maintaining duplicate personal files.
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Review forms for length, number of
copies, and necessity. Can it be re-designed or combined?
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Store documents on disk or microfiche.
MAIL
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Keep customer mailing lists current.
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Use Send and Return envelopes for your
billings.
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Regularly review subscriptions and
circulation lists and ensure that they are accurate and still
appropriate.
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Re-use manila envelopes and shipping
boxes.
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Reduce the amount of junk mail you
receive by writing to:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P. O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (212) 790-1400
and asking that your name(s) be
eliminated from mailing lists. Be sure to include the following information:
Your full name and any variations that may be used by direct marketers;
the date; your mailing address; your signature; the following statement:
"Please remove my name and address from your mailing list." or
for their web site: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist#moreinformation
MEMOS
COMPUTER
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Store documents on disk or microfiche
to minimize the number of hard copies made. If your company has a
network, use a common directory to transfer documents.
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Proof documents on the computer screen
before printing.
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Some printers feed an extra sheet of
paper with every document. Check with the manufacturer about
reprogramming the printer.
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Recharge printer cartridges.
FAX MACHINE
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Design FAX cover sheets to be as small
as possible, but still have adequate space for messages so that you do
not have to attach a separate letter or note.
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Use a stamp to convey transmittal
information when a message is not necessary.
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Recharge fax cartridges.
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Buy FAX machines that use bond paper.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
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Traditionally, office equipment
purchase decisions have been based primarily on considerations of
capital cost and performance. Environmental benefits or costs have not
been explicitly considered. Look at all the costs and benefits of
proposed alternatives, not just the capital cost. Buy equipment which
is repairable.
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Repair rather than replace equipment.
For infrequently used equipment, rent rather than buy.
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Sharing equipment with the adjacent
office is another option.
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Use remanufactured or used office
equipment.
OVERSTOCKED, EXCHANGEABLE ITEMS
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Donate surplus produce and
past-pull-date perishables to food banks.
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Advertise surplus and reusable waste
items through a commercial waste exchange, such as IMEX
(Industrial Materials Exchange).
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Reuse materials within the business.
Have a clean out your desk/supply cabinet day with a give-and-take
area set up for extra, unwanted items.
SHIPPING, RECEIVING & ORDERING
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Negotiate with suppliers to provide
goods in reusable, returnable, or recyclable packaging.
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Some local area suppliers and
distributors are back-hauling boxes, containers and pallets for
re-use. Request returnable containers for deliveries.
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Order materials in bulk. This helps to
avoid over-packaging, such as note pads in cellophane wrapped
packages, boxes inside boxes, foam packaging peanuts, etc.
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Order materials as precisely as
possible. Regular, automatic ordering often results in unnecessary
waste.
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If you find yourself with foam
packaging peanuts that you cannot reuse, take them to a mailing
service for reuse. For resources go to Douglas County’s Materials Exchange
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Check the package size and amount of
packing materials which your product is shipped in.
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Can the box be re-sized and packing be
reduced without sacrificing the integrity of the product?
LANDSCAPING/ORGANICS
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Choose a landscape design that needs
low maintenance and little water.
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Grasscycling - use a mulching mower
which leaves grass clippings to naturally decompose.
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Grass clippings no longer need to be
bagged and hauled away.
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Compost grass clippings and leaves into
a valuable soil amendment, or make sure your landscape contractor
composts.
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Use a worm bin to convert non-fatty
lunch room food wastes into high quality potting soil (vermicompost).
OTHER IDEAS
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Do not buy foil laminated, waxed or
plastic-coated paper products. They are not recyclable.
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Eliminate use of plastic trash liners
in cans where no wet trash is disposed.
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Encourage employees to use permanent
coffee mugs instead of disposable cups.
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Invest in a set of mugs and glasses for
visitors.
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Instead of paper, use cloth towels,
tablecloths, and napkins.
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Have an office copy of daily newspaper
supplied for all employees to share in common areas. Purchase only one
subscription to a magazine and circulate it among employees. Give old
magazines to hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes.
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Give old trade magazines and journals
to libraries.
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