Download and use this checklist to help implement quick wins that will help in reducing waste and enhancing efficient waste disposal methods.

This hierarchy ranks actions based on their cost implications and environmental impact and is as follows:

• Prevent: The most effective strategy is to prevent waste generation entirely. This involves implementing measures to eliminate waste, which can significantly reduce procurement and disposal costs.
  
• Reuse: When prevention is not feasible, businesses should explore opportunities for reusing materials or products. Reuse extends the lifespan of items and minimizes waste.
  
• Recycle: Recycling involves collecting and processing waste materials to reintegrate them into manufacturing processes. It is a valuable strategy but requires additional energy for processing.
• Recover: Recovery typically refers to the extraction of energy or valuable materials from waste through processes like incineration (for energy recovery) or waste-to-energy facilities. 
• Dispose (Landfill): As a last resort, waste is sent to landfills. This option has the most significant cost implications and environmental impact and should be avoided whenever possible.

The waste reduction opportunities presented in the following sections will focus on prevention, reuse and recycling.

The waste hierarchy is a guiding framework for waste management strategies, emphasizing the importance of moving up the hierarchy to more sustainable options whenever possible to minimize the cost and environmental impacts of waste generation and disposal.

Accurate inventory management plays a pivotal role in waste minimization. Here's how businesses can achieve it:

• Inventory Tracking: Maintain a real-time inventory record to monitor material types and quantities, aiding in preventing overstocking and minimizing waste.
  
  
• First In First Out (FIFO): Implement the FIFO principle to ensure that older materials are utilized before newer ones, reducing the risk of product obsolescence.
  
  
• Inventory Flow Optimization: In-depth analysis of inventory data allows for demand forecasting and the determination of optimal stock levels. Automation can help, but periodic stock audits are essential.

To reduce waste from packaging materials, businesses can establish return schemes, engaging with supply chains to identify reusable packaging options.

Some examples of packaging reuse are:

• Reusing pallets
• Reusing intact cardboard boxes
• Using old parcel tape as a substitute for bubble wrap.
• Reusing undamaged envelopes (without sensitive information such as names or personal addresses on them) for shipment packaging.

Efficiently managing your organization's equipment can significantly reduce waste and save resources. Here are steps to help you achieve this:

1. Maintain an Inventory: Keep a detailed inventory or asset list of equipment in each department. Regularly update this list to reflect items that are no longer needed in their current location. Additionally, conduct visual assessments to determine the condition of the equipment and its potential for reuse or redeployment. You can categorize equipment based on its condition, such as:
   
   
   • Reusable in its current state
   • Reusable after minor repairs
   • Reusable after major repairs
   • Not repairable but recyclable

   
   

   

2. Match Supply and Demand: Effective communication is key to matching the supply of equipment with the needs of different departments. Include a list of available equipment in internal communications like newsletters, emails, and your organization's intranet. Ensure that your procurement system is aware of this listing, allowing for better control over equipment acquisition and disposal. Before authorizing a new purchase, check the list to see if the requested item is already available. Surplus equipment should be used before considering new purchases.
   
   
3. Report Savings: It's important to track and report the savings achieved through procurement and waste disposal. Share this information with staff to acknowledge their efforts in reusing furniture and equipment. By showing the financial and environmental benefits of these practices, you can encourage continued efforts in this direction.

Maximizing recycling efforts ensures that waste materials are diverted from landfills. In many countries, it is more expensive to send materials to landfill than to recycle, so recycling can save you money as well as having a more positive impact on the environment. Here are steps to enhance recycling:

• Recycling Systems: Proper labelling and designated recycling bins help employees correctly sort waste materials. Employee training is essential.
  
  



• Eliminating Desk Bins: Removing individual trash bins at desks encourages employees to use recycling bins.
  
  
• Composting: For businesses with food waste, on-site composting can be considered. The resulting compost can benefit the organization or local community projects.

Download this action plan to track your progress against waste reduction objectives.