Over the last decade, the circular economy (CE) has gained increasing attention, and recently a greater focus has been placed on overcoming current consumption and production models that increase the use of natural resources. CE is linked to sustainable development concepts that depict a combination of reduction, reuse, and recycling activities. Waste management is an important endpoint that needs to be thoughtfully managed.

All industry-demanding production and service value chains produce waste. The entire product or some components of it end up as waste in the production cycle. Waste management is a multifaceted issue impacting each of the sustainability domains (Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)).

Tips to Begin a Sustainable Waste Management System

Establishing a sustainable waste management system should be a priority for every organization. Most organizations struggle to manage waste effectively due to scattered waste management responsibilities. Integrating sustainable waste management into every area of your business is the key to success. A good place to begin is by evaluating processes at the product development phase and following it through to when the finished good leaves the facility.

The following are possible approaches you can use to begin integrating waste management into your organization:

1. Adopt a Zero Waste Culture at your facility with both leadership and employee buy-in.
2. Develop a cross-functional, internal team to provide input.
3. Analyze waste production.
4. Work with design engineering and purchasing to look for ways to reduce the amount of packing materials used on site. This is one of the first steps to take towards reducing production waste.
5. Whenever possible, use chemical products and processes that minimize the number of hazardous substances generated.
6. Investigate whether closed-loop production is feasible. Closed-loop production processes reuse material waste created during production for additional products, as well as use the recycled products to create new items. Under a closed-loop system, manufacturers reuse the same materials repeatedly to create new products for purchase.
7. Minimize water usage in operations by using alternative methods, such as drying chemical agents, reverse osmosis, and drying machines. ­­

Overall, focus on identifying areas where waste can be reduced through purchasing, production, and using materials that can be reused or recycled, and try to adopt a sustainable waste reduction program.

Further Information

Cornerstone provides ESG and Waste Management services, which include Hazardous Waste Regulatory Compliance Assessments and Waste Compliance Programs. Contact us to go beyond compliance and discuss sustainability efforts for your operations.

Dominique Phillips, MS, is an Environmental Specialist for Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Safety. She regularly consults with clients in the areas of environmental compliance with a focus on sustainability and practical strategies.