There’s no time to waste. The global climate crisis we are facing requires individuals, companies, and communities to take concrete and sustained actions to halt the consequences of climate change.
Recycling in companies is becoming an increasingly important practice in today’s business world. Companies are recognizing the value of reducing their environmental footprint and contributing to the sustainability of the planet. Implementing recycling initiatives in the workplace not only benefits the environment but can also positively impact the company’s reputation and employee morale.
Recycling in Companies: The Challenge of This Century
Today, environmental efforts and innovations are paving hopeful paths in the face of the severe consequences of ongoing resource depletion in various ecosystems. However, there is still much to be done.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 by 188 nations, sets the first target for 2030 to reduce the planet's temperature by 1.5°. This goal is only achievable through various actions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint on both individual and collective levels.
This objective forces societies and businesses to rethink other forms of production and waste management that strike a balance between economic and ecological resources.
In this regard, environmental management is a way for companies to actively commit to not only halting the progress of the crisis but also transforming the perspective on production and consumption of goods and services. It is no longer just about producing, but about contributing to improving people’s lives and their environments.
Recycling is one way to reduce the impacts that productive activity generates on social and natural environments. Waste management helps reduce the carbon footprint or gases produced by these wastes and, therefore, the temperature of the atmosphere.
The Importance of Recycling in Your Company
Here are some elements that can be useful to guide an initial recycling plan for a company:
- Evaluate the Need and Review the Context of the Company: This is the first step in addressing recycling in a sustained way over time. It may be helpful to seek advice on measuring the company’s environmental impact and recognizing the amount and type of waste generated.
- Separate the Waste at the Point of Generation: Separating waste is crucial given the daily amount of waste generated per person, which increases exponentially in workplace environments.
- Plan How Waste Will Be Collected: Everyone in the workplace should know how the process works and where it will take place. This requires training and awareness-raising so that actions are understood, with clear goals recognized by everyone involved.
- Understand the Characteristics of the Waste Being Separated: Knowing the characteristics of the waste makes it possible to arrange proper conditions for safe collection, withdrawal, and management.
- Ensure Proper Management of Separated Waste: Correct separation of waste increases the possibility of it being recovered and reinserted into the productive system. However, it’s not enough just to separate; the waste must also be collected and managed by specialized companies.
What Types of Waste Can Be Recycled in Companies? Here are some examples:
- Paper and Cardboard: These are abundant products that are easy to recycle and can be reused.
- Plastic Containers: One of the most resistant types of waste to degradation. Separation is generally simple, and the possibilities for reuse are high.
- Electronic Waste: A must for every company. All outdated electronic products must be recycled due to their high contamination potential.
- Ink Cartridges and Toners: These are highly polluting waste items due to the composition of the inks, which contain iron, carbon, chromium, copper, cyanide, acrylics, and other plastic particles.
- Batteries and Cell Phones: These take thousands of years to decompose. It’s crucial to separate them and dispose of them properly to avoid long-term contamination.