Waste Management
Businesses and employees can take actions to reduce, reuse, and recycle their waste. Here are a few tips.
Set up a Recycling Program
If your business doesn't have one, start the process to create a recycling program. Call Allied Waste Services of Idaho at 345-1265 to set up a free waste consultation. Allied Waste will meet with interested commercial businesses and organizations to perform a free waste consultation and to develop a specific recycling program. Click here to learn more about commercial recycling options.
Get Buy-in from Management
If you're an employee and you want to get a recycling or waste reduction effort started, you should have the support of the business owner or upper management. With this commitment, you are in a better position to educate company staff or develop an environmental policy that will support the overall efforts.
If you don't yet have management's support, consider the following information to help “sell” your waste reduction idea:
- Explain how a waste reduction or recycling program can reduce waste and potentially save money through cost avoidance.
- Document what is being thrown out by the company.
- Indicate the interest of employees through testimonials and feedback to support environmental initiatives.
- Show how consumers are attracted to and influenced by environmentally conscious companies.
Once you have approval to move forward, schedule a waste management consultation with Allied Waste to develop a customized recycling program.
Purchase Reusable and Recyclable Products
Once the waste consultation is complete, your business should create a list of possible waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and green purchasing measures that can be effectively implemented. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Before deciding whether you need to purchase new office furniture, see if your existing office furniture can be refurbished. It's less expensive than buying new furniture and it's better for the environment.
- Choose suppliers who will responsibly manage and recycle technology products and offer the ability to trade in old products, so you can mitigate disposal risk and avoid regulatory complexities.
- Choose a supplier that allows free and convenient return and recycling of toner and ink cartridges.
- Make it a policy to provide reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses. Switch to Fair Trade and organic coffee and tea, and buy as much organic and local food as possible for parties and other events. Provide filtered drinking water to reduce bottled-water waste.
