3 Ways Your Business Can Help Reduce Packaging Waste

You can reduce your business’ packaging waste, and it won't take as much effort or cost as much money as you might imagine. Your business can help reduce packaging waste by making mindful decisions about what materials you buy and how your company uses them throughout your supply chain.

As a starting point, ask yourself whether your business will reduce, reuse, or recycle the amount of packaging waste it uses over time. We recommend all three—but don't worry if that's impossible right now! Even if you only do one of these things, it'll make a world of difference for the future of our planet.

Check Your Waste

Your first action should be to conduct a waste audit. You've been saving money by utilizing wholesale shipping packaging, and now it's time to identify the type and volume of waste your business generates and see if there is a way to work with your local recycler and waste management service.

Complete this process by setting up separate collection bins for different materials: paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, etc. Once you have an idea of what's being disposed of by your company daily, you can start identifying areas where improvement is possible. Is there any packaging you can easily replace with 100% recycled materials? Can you reduce the amount of wrapping or packaging your products require? Identify your significant points of opportunity and then work toward a solution.

Set Up a Recycling Program

Waste management companies offer various recycling options to their customers, including curbside programs that collect recyclable materials and drop them off at a centralized facility. Several materials can be recycled, including paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. Some items may not always be recyclable depending on which recycling facilities your business uses.

The process is simple:

• Contact your local waste management company and ask what they can do for you.
• Install bins for employees to put different types of waste.
• Train employees to properly separate and dispose of each type of recyclable material.

Encourage Minimal Packaging

Encouraging minimalist packaging will reduce your business's impact on the environment, save money on materials and shipping, and provide your customers with less waste. Cutting back on the amount of packaging used for shipping is an easy way to reach these goals.

For companies that can dictate their product’s packaging, it's also easy to take steps toward reducing overall packaging by using smaller boxes than usual or offering smaller quantities of certain products.

Recycling is a straightforward way your business can reduce packaging waste. While requiring a well-thought-out plan, reduction can be just as helpful. Whatever your choice, you are positively impacting this world for future business owners to come.