Industrial Waste Reduction

The long-term mindset of Industrial Waste Reduction as a path to operational efficiency

If the last couple of decades have been epitomized by the need to grow at all costs, to maximize revenues and to produce for an increasingly gluttonous or greedy world, it seems that the next decade or so will be characterized by the need to be frugal.

We are being affected by what may be classified as a “double whammy,” in many respects, as our attention is now sharply focused on the environmental consequences of our actions at the same time as a global economic slowdown suggests that prior mismanagement, greed and a lack of foresight are the causes.

Industrial Waste Management
Waste management is a complex industry in and of itself, but industrial waste reduction is an entirely different animal. The two processes are often misaligned, as waste reduction looks to cut down the production of waste at the source, rather than treating it once it has been produced.

While a free-market economy will continue to dictate that supply will always chase demand, it is likely that our stewardship will be significantly different. We may still produce goods and services, use energy and deal with the byproducts of such production, but our journey through this process will be more regimented. In short, we will not provide for our present needs with little regard for the future.

There are several ways to initiate industrial waste reduction. Potentially the strongest driver of change could be the body of public opinion. As outlined earlier, there's likely to be a significant ideological change in the future, as it will no longer be acceptable to engage in practices considered to be damaging or wasteful. As such, as lifestyles and preferences change there could be a considerable cultural effect throughout society.

Approaching Waste Reduction as a Core Operations Improvement

It may be inherently difficult to create a meaningful change within the body of public opinion and consumer behavior, but we can be sure that individual habits are currently changing and will continue to change as the emotional and psychological effects of what is being seen as “indulgence” unfold.

Buying habits will change and companies that do not engage in a thoughtful process of industrial waste reduction as part of an overall realignment may suffer. It is likely that moral standards will be reinterpreted as we go forward, to our potential betterment environmentally.

Within a complex organization there are many different layers of command and many different internal divisions and operations. While in general all parts work in concert towards the common goal or the organization would not be able to operate efficiently within the free market, there are nevertheless conflicting and sometimes semi-invisible agendas.

Waste Reduction Does Have Money Saving Qualities

These may require attention before activities and behaviors not necessarily classified as “dollar driven” be successfully implemented. It is the job of management within an organization to analyze the internal operations of each function within its enterprise and to ensure that a new corporate mantra of industrial waste reduction is both fully understood and engaged, directly and indirectly.

A smart organization might allocate an investment through the introduction of incentives for industrial waste reduction. If the larger picture is viewed, it can be seen that short-term expenses incurred for process improvements and waste reduction initiatives will reap significant rewards related to energy and emissions reductions.

In short, it should not be seen as a necessary byproduct of doing business, but industrial waste reduction must be seen as a necessary achievement before the end result can be successfully achieved.

About Verisae

Verisae helps measure, manage and reduce equipment and energy costs including the related business and environmental impacts of carbon emissions. The Sustainability Resource Planning (“SRP”) software platform improves operational efficiency, protects brand integrity and helps ensure regulatory compliance for distributed enterprises across many industries. Verisae delivers a broad range of sustainability solutions to dozens of clients globally with thousands of daily users including an extended network of third-party suppliers. Verisae’s integrated sustainability platform actively tracks millions of assets across thousands of sites worldwide.

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