January 28, 2025 By Kerstin Mayer No Comments
Whether your client’s facility already has a waste management program in place or is just getting started, we’re here to help you create a program that serves both your needs and your client’s. As a facility manager, you work tirelessly to keep the space clean and well-maintained—so you deserve a waste management system that makes your job easier and more efficient.
Many businesses and facilities have already taken steps to improve their waste management, incorporating recycling and organics streams while creating standardized, easy-to-follow systems for all users. Getting your client’s staff and visitors on board with a streamlined recycling program can enhance the facility in many ways. Below, we highlight the key benefits of having an effective waste management program.
Impact on Janitorial Staff
One of the most immediate advantages of upgrading a waste management program is the positive impact it has on janitorial and custodial staff. The right program can significantly reduce the physical demands and time spent on waste collection. When designing or enhancing a program, consider these important factors that can directly benefit custodial teams:
- Appropriate Container Sizing: Choosing containers that are properly sized for specific areas can minimize the frequency of collection and prevent improper disposal of oversized items.
- Strategic Bin Placement: Well-placed bins throughout a facility can improve collection efficiency and reduce the time staff spend collecting and managing waste.
- Clear Signage and Color Coding: Bright, easy-to-read labels encourage proper disposal, reducing contamination and the time janitorial staff spend sorting waste.
- Education and Engagement: Educating both staff and visitors on proper disposal practices can decrease contamination, streamline the process, and ensure the program’s success.
Ergonomics and ease of servicing should be top of mind when selecting bins. These considerations can drastically improve safety and reduce the physical strain on janitorial staff, making their jobs easier while enhancing the overall waste management process.
Economic Impact
While the cost of implementing or upgrading a waste management program may be a concern for your client, it’s important to highlight the long-term economic benefits. Beyond the environmental and social advantages, there are several ways in which an improved waste management program can offer significant financial savings.
- Reduced Waste Removal Costs: Trash removal is often costly, especially in densely populated cities or remote areas. By diverting recyclables such as paper, plastic, and organics, facilities can cut waste disposal costs by up to 50%. Though there may be a cost associated with recycling collection, it is typically offset by the savings from reducing general waste collections.
- Boosting the Economy: Recycling contributes positively to both local and national economies. Studies from Waste Wise demonstrate that recycling not only creates jobs but also saves money for waste generators. Encouraging recycling strengthens the overall economy, which can indirectly drive demand for facility services and operations.
- Value of Recycled Materials: Many recyclable materials have inherent value, which can create additional revenue streams. Selling recycled materials and promoting a circular economy can reduce your client’s overall waste management costs.
- A Cleaner Facility: A clear, well-communicated waste management system encourages people to dispose of their waste responsibly. This leads to a cleaner facility, which not only improves aesthetics and visitor satisfaction but also reduces the workload for janitorial and maintenance staff.
Social Impact
Many successful facilities prioritize community engagement and sustainability. Expanding a waste management program to include recycling and organics not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates positive social outcomes. Here are some key points to discuss with your client when proposing program changes:
- Environmental Commitment: Organizations that implement recycling and organics programs demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, which can enhance their public image and attract eco-conscious clientele.
- Empowering Guests and Staff: Eco-friendly practices inspire both guests and employees to adopt greener habits, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and pride.
- Job Creation: Expanding recycling efforts contributes to job creation. In fact, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reports that industries engaged in sorting and processing recyclables employ 10 times more people than traditional waste disposal firms.
- Encouraging Positive Behavior: A clean and organized waste system motivates individuals to follow suit. Guests and staff are more likely to use receptacles correctly when they see that the environment around them is litter-free and well-maintained.
Environmental Impact
With increasing environmental pressures, facilities are expected to take meaningful action toward sustainability. Expanding a waste management program to include recycling and organics is one of the most effective ways to reduce a facility’s ecological footprint.
While most people are familiar with the environmental benefits of recycling, it’s worth reiterating the key points:
- Reducing Pollution: Recycling reduces the harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases that result from waste decomposition in landfills.
- Preserving Natural Resources: Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, helping to protect ecosystems and preserve rainforests.
- Energy Conservation: Manufacturing products from raw materials requires significant energy. Recycling minimizes this energy use, preserving valuable resources.
The Importance of Organic Waste Collection
Many people mistakenly believe that food waste naturally decomposes in landfills. However, this is not typically the case. Diverting organics from landfills has several significant ecological benefits:
- Methane Reduction: Organic matter in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Diverting organics reduces this harmful emission.
- Protecting Water Sources: Organic waste can produce leachate, a toxic runoff that threatens groundwater and surface water. Diverting organics helps minimize this risk.
- Soil Health and Water Retention: Composting organics returns valuable nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and improving the soil’s ability to retain water.
Incorporating organics collection into your client’s waste management program is a powerful way to further reduce their facility’s environmental impact.
Leading by Example
Every positive environmental action, no matter how small, contributes to broader change. Implementing a comprehensive waste management program can have far-reaching effects, not only for the facility but for the entire community. By adopting sustainable practices, your client sets an example for others to follow, encouraging visitors and staff to make eco-conscious decisions in their daily lives.
Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, we’re confident you’ll see success in your program improvements. And when you do, we’d love to hear about it! Share your experiences, challenges, and successes with us so we can continue to improve our resources and help others in the industry make a lasting environmental impact.
