Can Your Trash Go Green?

By Kenzo Kawasaki

Image courtesy flickr

Discarding and hauling trash is a dirty business, no doubt about it.  That being said, what many  That’s right, it’s possible for your trash to go green.  Best of all it’s neither complicated or costly to do so.  All it takes are a few tips that can point you in the right direction so you can green up while doing your part to save the planet. 

businesses don’t know is that there are several ways they can green up their refuse.

      1.       Is your trash someone else’s treasure? - Before you trundle castoffs into the dumpster, realize that there are a number of charities who are looking for used equipment, electronics and office furnishings that they can rehab and resell.  Especially sought-after items include used computers, printers, peripherals, cables, stands, desks, posters, pictures and all kinds of office accessories.  Better still, many charities are willing to come to you to pick up your used office equipment.  Those that don’t many times have convenient deposit bins where you can leave smaller items without having to drive across town.

     

Image courtesy flickr

2.       The rewards of recycling – Before you toss that empty water bottle or soda can in the trash, think about recycling it instead.  Recycling has come a long way in the past decade.  Today, there are entire industries built around salvaging and recycling everything from aluminum and plastic, to newspaper, corrugated cardboard, glass, computers, junk mail, newspapers and magazines.  By recycling instead of tossing these items, not only do you do your part by reducing the amount of material you add to local landfills, you also do the environment a good turn by limiting your carbon footprint, since recycling significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  

      A blog by MoneyCrashers.com stated that, “Some experts estimate that 90% of the items going in a landfill could be recycled, if only we had the resources in all areas, and made the effort. If you live near an urban center, there is probably a recycling program available in your area. Even without curbside pickup service, a recycling drop-off facility may be close by. If you want to find a local recycling program in your area, visit Earth911.com. This site has a searchable database that allows you to find recycling facilities by zip code.” 

 3.       Have you ever thought of going paperless? – Another way for your company to go green is to reduce or eliminate the amount of paper you produce and consume.  Think about it.  If your company still uses paper invoices and copies, you not only produce a lot of needless waste, you also pay to have it hauled away when you are through with it.  By going paperless, you will not only reduce the amount of paper your company uses, you will reduce the amount you throw in your dumpster.  This is what’s known as a win/win situation.

   

Image courtesy PxHere

  4.       Are you using renewables and biodegradables? – When it comes to creating less waste, using renewables like rechargeable batteries and reusable inkjet cartridges is a good start.  Switching to biodegradable products like environmentally-friendly cleaners and ink is another way to go green.  (Yes, there are biodegradable inks for your office printers that use bio-based ink derived from soy.)  HP and Canon are two of the manufacturers currently offering and developing bio-based ink.  Even if your current printer manufacturer doesn’t offer bio-ink, all manufacturers will gladly recycle your used cartridges.  Some big box stores like Staples and Office Depot will even give you a little folding green back if you give them back your used cartridges, which can be reused up to six times.

      5.       Is your office automation running amok? – If you’re like most businesses, you rely heavily on office automation.  This means purchasing everything from workstations and laptops to tablets, smartphones, routers, inkjet and laser printers.  In short, most companies live and die via technology.  The problem is, technology changes very quickly nowadays. That state-of-the-art laptop you just bought may seem like the latest and greatest right now.  But in as little as 3-years you could be ready to toss it in favor of the current latest and greatest.  In decades gone by, most people sold their used computer hardware.  That’s because in the 90’s, computers were expensive.  Today, they’re just as likely to toss them or tuck them into a closet to gather dust.  That’s a shame, because several computer manufacturers are willing to pay a bounty for castoff computers.  HP and Dell have tech recycling programs that provide trade-in credit on used equipment.  So too do big box electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Staples.

Image courtesy wikipedia

      6.       Going green from the get go.  – Another way to go green is to green up your procurement   While it can take a little more effort to actively seek out and buy goods from companies that produce them in a sustainable manner, it’s a good way to start.  Many of the items your company buys can be made from recycled material and/or shipped to you in less excessive packaging.  How much of your corporate infrastructure relies on products that contain toxic or ozone-depleting ingredients?  How much of your office supplies could just as easily be switched to renewable material, such as paper made from bamboo as opposed to wood pulp?

process.

      7.       Make greening up your business part of your corporate culture. – Every business is always looking for a way to get their employees more engaged.  How about not only encouraging your staff to use less throwaway and single-use products, but offering a contest with a prize for the employee who comes up with the best idea for going green.  You’d be surprised how focused and energized your staff can get when you add a little competition to break up the normal work routine.  Plus, their efforts could wind up saving the environment and your company by reducing the amount of trash you create.

      8.       Going green could be good for your company. – If you’re looking for a way to give your company a little media exposure, going green could be just the ticket.  Journalists are always on the lookout for environmentally-friendly stories to publish in everything from newspapers and magazines to trade journals.  If you make a concerted effort to do some good for the environment, a press release about how your company has gone green could mean extra green in your pocket if the story is picked up by the media.

Kenzo Kawasaki is president of BC Hydraulic Services, a commercial trash compactor service company based in Jacksonville, Florida.