8 Reasons Why Businesses Should Recycle More

Should businesses try to recycle more? The answer is a resounding yes! Waste is a huge problem facing human society that can quickly get out of control if not handled properly. Governments are starting to recognize this problem by issuing significant fines and penalties to companies that dispose of their waste in a hazardous manner. 

Avoiding these fines and visits from environmental inspection agencies is just one of the many reasons businesses need to take recycling seriously. Let’s look at eight different factors that highlight the purpose of recycling in a business environment.

1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Between manufacturing products, shipping items to customers, and the waste generated from office work, corporations are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to harming the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling 1 ton of paper from your office will save 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water. 

Make the conscious decision to operate in a paperless environment will help your organization cut down on meaningless printing and faxing that many companies are a part of. Reducing your carbon footprint helps your company become ecologically responsible, which reflects well on your reputation. Start with setting up recycle containers across your organization and then expand the efforts from there.

2. Save Money

Companies that generate a lot of waste can potentially save and earn money by recycling. Metal is a material that’s often improperly disposed of that can actually earn your company some extra money. You can even make money on excess cardboard and scrap paper generated by your office. 

By recycling, you also avoid having to pay waste disposal costs which are common when you have large loads of garbage. Not only is recycling better for the environment, it’s also often much cheaper to get rid of recycling than it is garbage.

3. Contribute To Your Local Economy

Actively recycling allows your company to contribute to job creation in your area. Recycling facilities require more personnel to operate than garbage facilities. In addition to collecting the recycled materials, jobs are created for manufacturing the recovered materials into other products. 

Recyclables are used to make containers, bottles, newspapers and create stones and bricks for landscaping. When you recycle more, it will help others in your community find gainful employment.

4. Improve Public Perception

Making a commitment to recycling is an excellent way to improve your company’s reputation. Demonstrating your dedication to the environment is a great way to attract people with similar values. It’s much easier for people to feel good about supporting a company when they know the company takes its obligations to the environment seriously. 

Your employees will also grow to respect your efforts and commitment to following through on your values. These feelings are intangibles that can improve customer retention and boost employee morale.

5. Benefit From Government Incentives

One of the unknown benefits of recycling as a business is the ability to qualify for government incentives. Many countries have governments that offer benefits for companies willing to commit to going green. 

Depending on your business, you can qualify for emission reduction credits and tax credits for money spent on recycling machinery or equipment. These incentives enhance the purpose of recycling in a business environment and allow you to earn some money while contributing to the environment.

6. Comply With Legal Requirements

Depending on where you’re located, your business will have to comply with certain regulations when it comes to recyclables and waste. All businesses have a legal obligation to find ways to efficiently and safely dispose of their waste. 

Failing to recycle your materials properly can leave you liable for fines and other penalties. Taking the initiative to recycle will lower your chances of breaking any of these legal requirements.

7. Create a Healthy Work Environment

Improper handling of waste and recyclables can cause health problems for your staff that work on site. Taking recycling seriously also helps your business maintain a clean and organized work environment. Items like toner cartridges can leak if not disposed of properly. 

You don’t want fumes escaping into your ventilation system and affecting your employees. Your commitment to recycling also reflects on the overall effort you put into creating a safe and comfortable work environment.

8. Reusing E-Waste Can Save You Money

E-waste can be difficult to get rid of, but it also has a high potential for reuse. Electronic waste like old computer monitors, keyboards, and computer accessories are helpful to have on hand for quick replacements or parts when doing repairs. 

Research shows that e-waste is the fastest-growing type of waste, so it is important to find safe ways to deal with old electronics. E-waste has the potential to leak harmful chemicals that can severely harm the human body. Keep this in mind before deciding to keep large amounts of e-waste at your office.