A business that reduces waste is more efficient in many ways. It can reduce the costs of raw materials and transportation. It can also reduce energy consumption. Reducing waste can be done in several ways, including refining production processes, using fewer raw materials, and phasing out single-use plastics from the office kitchen.
Companies focusing on reduced waste often start small and make significant progress in a short time. They may switch to new vendors, negotiate costs or even right-size trash containers. However, over time, the initial savings may start to erode. Moreover, as the business grows, it may need to change the frequency of trash pickup.
Businesses that voluntarily reduce their waste may be more attractive to consumers. In addition, they can highlight their environmental credentials, which is a good thing in this day and age. A growing number of consumers are looking for these sustainable credentials. Companies that have zero-waste strategies should continue to improve their strategies to make them even more effective. Redesigning current processes and practices may produce new waste streams and inefficiencies.
Companies for zero waste are implementing innovative programs to increase their profitability. Some have embraced farm-to-fork concepts, which minimize the need for single-use packaging, transport, and cooling. The Food Assembly, for example, consists of over 8,000 local farmers and two million members who deliver fresh, local produce on a weekly basis to a local urban pickup point. Using such a delivery method means that consumers can eat more local and organically-grown produce, reduce the need for plastic packaging, and reduce food miles.
.Many global corporations have committed to Companies for zero waste. General Motors, for example, is working toward making half of its factories landfill-free. Toyota, Xerox, and Subaru are all working towards the same goal. These companies have worked with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other groups for years to reduce their waste. They’ve found that waste reduction can increase productivity, quality, efficiency, and throughput.
Zero waste also addresses wasted human potential, which is the result of poverty and lack of opportunity. It also addresses the reduction of energy used in production and logistics and the preservation of natural forests. Originally, recycling and waste management had a more narrow goal of reducing waste, but today, it has become an international movement whose goal is to reduce waste management costs.
Besides reducing waste, zero-waste initiatives can also improve brand image. Many of today’s most innovative businesses base their products on recycled and sustainable materials. As a result, they receive brand exposure from traditional channels. Moreover, research shows that a third of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products than conventional brands. This is an opportunity for businesses to directly price zero waste measures into their products.
