WASTE INSIGHTS BLOG
Waste measurement, reduction and management are critical parts of an organization's carbon responsibility and as such organizations should engage the services of specialist software providers.
Waste Reduction & Supplier Programs
Involve the entire supply chain will reduce the most waste from business processes
One of the ways a business can assure that it is complying with the spirit of the new age and cutting down the overall size of its carbon footprint is to ensure that it participates in waste reduction programs. Waste reduction is distinct from waste recycling and deals with the process of better stewardship and elimination at source rather than with the processing of an existing commodity.
Each element of production and the use of each asset within your organization generally has implications in terms of energy use, carbon production and toxic gas emissions. Inefficiencies throughout the operation can have a cumulative effect on the overall impact of the company as a whole.
Waste Reduction Programs
These are essential for all businesses and throughout all different types of industry and commerce. It is essential that each enterprise becomes a leaner and fitter concern not only monetarily but specifically from a consumption point of view.
One of the first things that you should do is to review all purchasing policies. These may have been established for a considerable period of time and the general standards contained within may now be counterproductive to your refined goals. You should ensure that your policies do not exclude the use of goods containing recycled content. This is a primary example of how changes through your supply chain will affect the larger picture.
When choosing products to use as part of your business operation, make sure that your suppliers are able to conform to your new standards and provide you with products that are designed for longevity and are backed up with appropriately worded guarantees or warranties. Evidence of this longevity should be scrutinized to ensure that you are buying appropriately.
Walmart's Sustainability Index Is Leading the Way
Further, these products should themselves be composed of recycled materials and must be recyclable upon completion of their natural life. Unless external packaging is absolutely necessary, choose products that do not create unnecessary waste.
As we have seen with the Sustainability Index currently promoted by Wal-Mart, Inc., the latest trend is to require all suppliers to conform to the standards of the larger organization. With this “downward pressure” approach you should ensure that all your suppliers conform to your way of thinking in relation to waste reduction, waste prevention and recycling, in addition to the overall adoption of corporate sustainability principles.
Waste reduction programs should be implemented as soon as possible. An enterprise could take a leaf from the book of the California Integrated Waste Management Board whose special awards program is an annual initiative that aims to recognize California-based businesses that have made considerable efforts to reduce waste. This program has been in operation since 1993 and is considered a model for others to follow.
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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