As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, businesses have an increasing responsibility to adopt sustainable practices. One key area where companies can make a significant impact is in their waste management strategy. Partnering with the correct industrial recycler is an excellent way for businesses to take a proactive approach on reducing the amount of material that is landfilled, increasing positive environmental impact, and ideally, getting a higher rebate for your recyclables.
One of the primary benefits of partnering with an industrial recycler is that it helps businesses become more sustainable. By reducing waste and recycling materials, companies can contribute to the circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
Producing waste that can be recycled, many companies generate multiple commodities falling into one of four categories: ferrous, nonferrous, fiber, and polymers. Ferrous comprises scrap metal mainly containing iron, nonferrous includes copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, among others. Fiber involves cardboard, office paper, and kraft paper, while polymers cover HDPE, PET, PP, PS, and other materials.
Partnering with a recycler that possesses knowledge and experience across all waste streams is essential to enhancing the efficiency of your recycling program. Specializing in fiber, a recycler might lack the experience to increase your scrap metal's efficiency, and a plastic recycler may lack direct mill connections for your cardboard material. Most companies specializing in total waste stream management have teams comprising experts in specific commodities. By partnering with such a recycler, you can access a vast pool of resources and expertise. These teams can collaborate on your specific needs and strive to improve the value or efficiency of each commodity stream.
When it comes to recycling, proper data and reporting are critical components that businesses must consider when hiring the right recycler. Accurate data and reporting provide essential insights into a company's recycling program, such as the types and quantities of materials being recycled, the diversion rate, and cost savings or rebate information. This information is crucial when it comes to identifying opportunities for improvement and making informed decisions about waste reduction strategies. Additionally, a reputable recycler should be able to provide transparent and detailed reports on their own recycling processes, ensuring that the materials collected are being recycled responsibly and sustainably. Without proper data and reporting, businesses risk not only ineffective recycling programs but also the potential for negative environmental impacts. Therefore, it is essential to partner with a recycler who prioritizes transparency and accurate reporting.
Another efficiency upgrade when hiring a company that provides total waste stream management is the fact that there is a centralized point of contact. Managing several scrap vendors across all of your commodity streams can be stressful, time consuming, and can even cause confusion at your facility. By partnering with a company that handles all of your recycle streams, they allow you to request service, receive reporting data, and even resolve service related issues through one point of contact.
We always recommend partnering with a recycling company that operates in transparency, and works in your best interest. S&F Development is always here to partner with our clients and help take control of your waste stream.