We have all heard about the benefits of recycling on the environment. Many household and municipal recycling programs have significantly improved landfill usage and overall waste production during the past 25 years. But what about recycling for business? Is there a way to care for the environment AND increase revenue for your company? YES! Recycle valuable commodities today!
Businesses across the US are responsible for a large portion of the overall waste stream, yet not every business takes advantage of recycling. It is a proven fact that it costs 40% more to send trash to the landfill, rather than recycle it, and up to 60% more to incinerate it. Even more valuable to business owners is that recyclables that are currently in the waste stream would be worth over $7 billion if they were recycled! (source: www.byui.edu)
Recyclables that are currently in the waste stream would be worth over $7 billion if they were recycled!
Not only does recycling have a positive impact on the environment, it can help to create an additional revenue stream for your business. It also provides a positive spin on your branding effort as a company that practices sustainability. Simply put, if your business does not recycle, you are throwing money away.
What types of products can you recycle?
Although some recyclable products generate more of a financial return than others, virtually every business byproduct can be recycled. Here are just a few recyclables:
- Paper
- Newspaper
- Magazines
- Cardboard
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- PET
- Non-Ferrous Metals
- Shrink Wrap
- Tires
As you can imagine, storing and shipping these commodities takes time and space without the proper equipment. Haulers and recycling centers often require that you bale your recyclables for efficiency. That is why more and more successful entrepreneurs are investing in recycling equipment such as vertical balers, horizontal balers, and beverage extraction balers.
Two Harmony M60STD Balers in an Illinois Bottling Facility. The left one bales & recycles plastics, the right one bales & recycles cardboard.
Once implemented into the backroom work area, these machines improve workplace cleanliness, employee efficiency, and the ease of loading/unloading for the hauler. There are balers suited for every recyclable, various bale weights, and different floor spaces and ceiling height requirements. Although each of these pieces of equipment requires an initial investment, the ROI is immediate and substantial. Rather than paying a hauler to take recyclables to the dump, the recyclers are now paying businesses for their valuable byproducts!
Don’t forget about your waste!
Once your business has implemented its own recycling program, there will undoubtedly still be leftover waste that needs to be removed from your facility. What you do with that waste can have a significant impact on your company’s bottom line.
The traditional method of waste collection is to use open top containers that are picked up on a regular schedule by a waste hauler. The corral areas behind businesses where these containers are located are often cluttered, unsafe, and unsanitary. They are a breeding ground for vermin and odor problems.
This outdated system is costly for businesses because they pay for the hauling of the waste regardless of the fullness of the container. The carbon footprint and noise pollution created by the trucks is more than it needs to be.
The traditional waste collection system is costly for businesses because they pay for the hauling of the waste regardless of the fullness of the container.
Waste compactors take up little space, can be run by electricity or solar power, and provide an immediate ROI by reducing hauling expenses up to 75%! Compactors can securely hold liquid or solid waste, have safety lock features to prevent use by unauthorized personnel, and keep out odors and pests. Compactors consist of containers of various sizes so that you can optimize their functionality for your specific needs. By using a waste compactor for your business, you can fit up to 7 times more waste in one container as compared to the traditional open top method. Just look at the difference in these before and after photos below!
(Before Compaction)
(After Compaction)
(The photos above show the same hotel/spa trash corral before and after – traditional open top dumpsters vs. Harmony SunPak Solar Powered PowerPacker Outdoor Compactor.)
Waste compactors are not just for outdoor waste corral areas. Indoor automatic trash compactors and stainless steel waste compactors are utilized in both front and back-end applications to decrease the amount of time needed for employees to manage waste. They help to create a clean and sanitary atmosphere, reduce employee pilferage, and allow your waste to removed at a time that does not interrupt the consumer experience.
Looking for other ways to create an eco-friendly facility?
If your business is interested in recycling, or you are in need of an equipment upgrade, see our complete line of Harmony balers and compactors. We have created a helpful filtering option for you to see which piece of quality Harmony equipment is the best solution for your waste and recycling needs. Our experienced and friendly sales staff is ready to answer any questions and assist you in getting a quote.
If you are interested in learning about other ways that you can create an eco-friendly facility, check out this fun infographic put together by the folks at litetronics.com.
Harmony Enterprises is the recycling and waste solutions provider on a global scale. Our full line of baler, compactor, beverage extraction, and full product destruction equipment is recognized for its reliability, durability, and value. Our quality equipment is combined with our world-class customer service, innovative technology, and industry-leading warranty program as a part of our total solutions approach. To learn more, please contact us or call us at (507) 886-6666 today.
