Waste Management Tips for Start-ups

A good way to get an idea of your waste management needs is to assess what your competitors are doing. If you know anyone that runs a similar size and type of business, speak to them about their management. Information about the types and amounts of waste they generate can help you estimate potential waste production levels.

This should also provide an accurate idea of the costs involved for waste removal, which helps with budget planning. If you don’t know anyone running a business like your start-up, try and find out any waste management information about similar sized companies or those in the local area and apply to your situation.

Every start-up must develop a waste management plan before you begin business. This covers how your organisation will deal with all the waste it produces, including where it will be stored, who is responsible for removing it, and how much it will cost. It acts as a guide for stakeholders and others to your waste management processes.

A written plan provides a document others can refer to when necessary. It can be updated as your business grows and adapts to any challenges. Findings from your audit should be implemented into the plan so it covers all the legal, financial, and environmental considerations. Your waste management plan should include:

• Responsibilities – the company responsible for removing waste from your premises (this must be a licensed waste carrier). Also include other responsibilities, such as moving bins to the collection point and communicating with the waste management company.
• Bins and collections – the types, sizes, and number of bins you’ll use and how often they’ll be collected. This can be updated to reflect any changes in your business.
• Goals – waste reduction and recycling goals. This could be a percentage of your overall waste you aim to recycle or methods for keeping it out of landfill.
• Strategies – any plans you have to reduce waste, lower costs, and improve recycling rates. It could be by using less packaging, working with recycled materials, and educating employees.
• Costs – all the costs related to managing your commercial waste, such as any bin hire costs, removal rates, landfill tax, and other fees. Factor in some emergency funds in case of any surprise extras.

Businesses have a responsibility to reduce how much waste they produce. Minimising the amount of rubbish (especially non-recyclable waste) that you create at the source is one of the best ways to do this. Work with suppliers that use recyclable packaging, materials, and products to avoid creating non-recyclable waste.

Seek reusable products where possible rather than disposable ones and products made from recycled materials. Using local suppliers also reduces the energy and emissions used to deliver products, which has a lower environmental impact. This should all significantly reduce how much waste your start-up creates or at least ensure most of it can be recycled.

A great way to reduce waste from your start-up is to donate items and materials you no longer need to others. Many charities, organisations, and causes will happily take old furniture, electricals, and various other items off your hands. This is a free and environmentally friendly way to get rid of some waste.

Even things like empty plastic bottles can be used by schools, while bricks and rubble might be used on other construction sites or in gardens. Whatever waste you have, consider asking a local charity or organisation if they’re interested in it. You can even build in any regular donations to your waste management plan.