A Guide to Smarter Waste Solutions

The recycling industry is growing fast, and for products and materials that would have previously been dumped, a more ecologically friendly alternative is now on the table. Here, the concept of from cradle-to-cradle — as opposed to cradle-to-grave — is increasingly applied to products to ensure that, after use, they can be more easily recycled. Cradle-to-cradle takes in the entire lifecycle of a product — from design, through manufacture and distribution, to use and eventual return to the correct recycling facility.

Additionally, recycling as a method of waste management takes in concepts such as the circular economy. The circular economy aims to move away from linear models where we manufacture, use and dispose of items in favor of a program that keeps resources in use for as long as possible. The Ellen Macarthur Foundation is one of the organizations currently promoting circular economy concepts, and a number of case studies are available as real-world examples of how this system works.

However, it is a sad fact that many items that can be recycled still end up in landfill, and among the many challenges faced by this type of waste management practice, the correct collection, sorting and diversion of recyclables is perhaps the most pressing. Additionally, the rise of less reputable recycling practices, such as shipping waste across oceans for processing, have led many to call for better diversion metrics and material tracking to ensure that products sent for recycling are, in fact, recycled.

Finally, at the very bottom of the waste management hierarchy, traditional disposal methods at landfill sites are the least desirable outcome for any material or product. Apart from the increasingly large sections of land that these sites command and the risks of vermin and insects that may spread disease, landfills release huge amounts of toxic byproducts as trash decomposes. Leachates — toxic liquids that pass through these waste masses — and decomposition gasses, such as methane, are particularly harmful substances that have a direct effect on global warming.

The waste management hierarchy is intended as a guideline to help both individuals and businesses better understand the waste management process, and in fact, only parts of this methodology will apply to the real-world practices of waste management for you. As a general rule, the higher up the pyramid you travel, the more control you are likely to have. For example, the prevention and reuse of potential waste materials is a simple and low-cost way to reduce your overall environmental impact. However, towards the bottom of the pyramid, it is more likely that local, national and even international authorities will have the final say as to what happens to municipal waste.

Bisecting these two extremes, the recycling industry is something of an exception; requiring a collaboration between almost all influencers of the product’s lifecycle. Proper recycling begins with manufacturers designing and using packaging that is easily processed. After use, consumers must responsibly sort and dispose of materials and products in the correct way. For larger businesses and organizations, recycling responsibly requires more forethought, and the use of separate containers for specific materials, the correct labeling of recyclables and detailed diversion metrics to ensure materials are delivered to the correct facilities are important. Finally, the efficient collection and distribution of recyclables are implemented by independent haulers or municipal waste management operations for delivery to recycling facilities.

Recycling holds vast potential for the reduction of waste and the minimization of our environmental impact. It does, however, require a rethink as to our current waste management habits — something that is slowly being recognized as a priority for nations across the globe.

The effective implementation of the different types of waste management is underpinned by education. Raising awareness of the realities surrounding this extremely broad issue is a crucial piece of the puzzle, designed to change both individual habits and longstanding business practices for the better. Education at all levels, from the local to the international, should allow us to identify our growing consumption and reduce the waste associated with it through the correct management of waste materials.

Here at RTS, we help businesses improve waste management operations through LEED-accredited staff training that encourages more responsible practices. Additionally, our True Advisors are on hand to help businesses achieve Zero Waste Certification through the GBCI. These programs are designed to streamline the waste management process, allowing the more effective sorting and distribution of waste materials, pointing businesses towards the top of the waste management pyramid.

Ultimately, our aim is to provide a link between waste generated at consumer level and waste management facilities through collection, confirmation and verification to ensure specific materials are always handled at the appropriate facility. Additionally, through insightful diversion metrics, businesses can identify waste habits and implement improvements. To learn more about how RTS can help your business through education and training, read about our commitment to sustainability here.

_{Chart data provided by the EPA. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials}