What Is
Source Separation
Segregating various wastes at the point of generation (e.g., separation of paper, metal and glass from other wastes to make recycling simpler and more efficient).
Why should I
source separate?
Source separating is the practice of segregating or BBBseparating various materials at the point of generation. For example, if you have a construction project, separating recyclables such as wood, metal, plastic and cardboard from trash is “source separation”. Depending on the quantities of materials and available space on site, source separation can be easily done by identifying the various materials you have in your waste stream, then assigning separate containers, bins or compartments to place these materials into, once they are recovered from your waste stream flow.
Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, source separating materials from construction, manufacturing, retail and food operations has proven to reduce waste disposal costs, and in some cases can create a secondary source of revenue depending on your geographic and logistic location around the world.
How companies make money
managing their waste!
As more and more secondary markets are opened and new processes are developed for gathering and converting materials into reusable forms, waste is now a commodity that in some areas, has tremendous value and opportunity, and it is only going
up from here.
A company that can identify its waste streams and the quantities of each material and implement even the slightest form of recovery on site to separate these materials, now has the ability to negotiate better contracts with waste haulers, get paid for their materials from recyclers and manufacturers, or even reintroduce the excess waste back into their production pipeline bringing down their cost of goods sold. These are just but a few reasons having a waste management plan in place and source separating materials, can help turn your trash into cash.
How do I get started!
Creating a waste management plan is easy. You can start with a plan to set up different waste receptacles throughout your office, campus or facility, designed to separate and gather individual materials.
Example: Set up three different bins in your office, one for trash, one for plastic bottles, one for cans and maybe even a fourth or fifth for cardboard and paper. Start with as few or as many you feel comfortable with. You can buy these trash cans in different colors or color code them yourself for specific materials.
Put up a sign that says “Recycling Center” and then write out what each can is for and what materials you can put in it, then describe why this is important to your company and what you will do with the materials once they have been accumulated.
Then create a document or “waste management plan” that’s called “Office Waste” and outline exactly what we described above in the example. You’ve now just made your first waste management plan.
Apply this to other areas and use the same process, whether it be a construction site or a school the same process will apply.
Receptacles can be ordered from www.rubbermaid.com and for more advanced users tracking software such as www.GreenHaloSystems.com can help with this process and track all your waste streams from multiple locations and processes around the world.
Schedule a Web Meeting
To find out more about creating a waste management plan for your company, please schedule a web meeting with one of our consultants today!
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