Most businesses can save a substantial amount of money by reducing waste. In addition to lower removal costs, waste reduction measures help cut costs on raw materials, office supplies and equipment. Further, by streamlining your operations to reduce waste, you may also be able to enhance your overall efficiency, productivity and public image.
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Learn about Waste Reduction Measures
Waste Reduction
The most effective way to reduce waste is to generate less in the first place. Use the following links to get some helpful tips on how to green your business by reducing waste.
Overview
Waste Reduction Tips
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Work with customers to design a packaging return program
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Switch to reusable transport containers
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Repair broken furniture and equipment to extend its usable life
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Use and maintain durable equipment and supplies
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Reduce waste from building construction and demolition debris
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Reduce waste from electronics
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Use less office paper by "Going Paperless with Technology"
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Purchase environmentally preferable products
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Use office supplies and materials more efficiently:
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Use both sides of paper
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Make double sided copies
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Route one hard copy to several readers
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Use e-mail or bulletin boards for sending and receiving information
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Ask to be removed from junk mailing lists by writing to:
DMA Mail Preference Service
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
Waste Reuse
Prolonging the useful life of products and packaging through reuse stops waste at the source because it delays or avoids their entry into the waste collection and disposal system.
Reuse Tips
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Shred or crumple waste paper for use as packing material
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Reuse office furniture and supplies, such as interoffice envelopes and file folders
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Exchange surplus and reusable materials through a commercial materials exchange
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Repair broken equipment to extend its useful life
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Donate excess building materials to local low-income housing developers
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Ask suppliers to take back pallets or switch to more durable reusable ones
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Donate leftover food to the needy
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Donate food scraps for use as animal feed
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Donate surplus items to non-profit or reuse organizations
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Donate your old electronics
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Remanufacture your products
Recycling
It does not matter what type of business you have or what type of facility you run - there is some amount of material you use that can be recycled. From aluminum cans, and glass and plastic bottles, to used oil and printer toner cartridges, recycling reduces the amount of waste materials that are put in landfills or incinerated while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. That's good for everybody! Ask your building management or waste handler about recycling opportunities.
Check out the following links for additional information:
Technology Specific Recycling
During your upgrade projects, and normal maintenance, you will likely have to deal with lighting and electronic waste. The disposal of some of this waste may be regulated, since both electronic and lighting waste may contain potentially harmful substances, and these products may need to be separated from your other garbage. The best way to dispose of this waste is to recycle it.
To learn more about the recycling and disposal of lighting and electronic waste visit:
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EPA: "Electronics: A New Opportunity for Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling" Fact Sheet
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National Electrical Manufacturers Association's Lamp Recycle.org
Develop a Waste Reduction Program
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Use the Xerox Business Guide to Waste Reduction and Recycling and the accompanying workbook
Measure Your Results
Get Recognition
Produced in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Business Gateway and ENERGY STAR®