Top 10 ways for businesses to achieve Net Zero Waste by 2050 (or sooner)

Source: Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

What’s the motivation?

Sustainability is now mainstream, and customers are not only demanding that the products they’re purchasing are manufactured in an environmentally responsible way (what this means exactly, who knows), but also, that the business itself operates in a socially just and environmentally sound fashion.

In response, to attract new customers with elevated priorities, we see many businesses and local authorities pledging their commitment to ‘NetZero’ with targets ranging from 2030 to 2050. 

But the question remains: How can a business actually achieve a net-zero waste status while still functioning as a business? Will adopting this target help or hurt your bottom line?

As this transition to a net-zero economy is accelerating, how will the supply chain businesses from policymakers to waste management services impact how these targets are met?

Source: Photo by Yan Krukov

How can Businesses achieve Net Zero Sooner than soon? Hold tight and read on. 

A general waste disposal system is quite linear, meaning a raw material is extracted from the earth, processed and manufactured into a product that is eventually used and sent to the landfill, marking the end of its use to society.

On the flip side, The Circular Economy – a set of principles aimed at designing out waste, keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible, and the regeneration of natural material stock – highlights how imperative it is to shift this linear focus from just “recycling” to waste prevention, which recycling becomes a last resort. So then we must ask ourselves if waste material is not going through the existing method of waste disposal and is instead reused or repurposed, should it be called waste at all? 

Source: From Getty Images by NicoElNino

What can you do?

The fact is that waste can be eliminated from our global supply chains, and doing so is critical for environmental health, social well-being and (to no surprise) the global economy, as well.

There is no denying that it takes resources, money and energy to shift from a linear economy to a circular economy, but when weighed against the ever-growing costs tied to the continuation of waste, your business really can’t afford to participate in this transition. Waste is costing you money.

Own your waste opportunity before it becomes a waste problem.

Source: Photo by Rachel Claire

What gets measured gets managed. So, before you can start to eliminate waste, you need to be able to identify it. Many small businesses produce a lot of waste in their processes but do not track it. In addition, many become complacent and accept waste as a part of their operation as “overhead.” 

Do not fall for either of these traps, as easy as they are. Remember, early intervention is the key and we’d like to help make your own transition from a linear business model to a circular one easy!

Here are 10 strategies that help you get started and, spoiler alert: it requires much more than simply recycling.

1.     Strategy #1: Review the resources your company imports and exports in order to do business. Are these sourced locally? Think about the embedded resilience and cost savings tied to local sourcing. 

2.     Strategy #2: Refuse to purchase from vendors that do not offer waste-free product solutions, then partner with them on an alternative. These innovations in business won’t happen by the act of one individual, it takes client/vendor partnerships to kickstart a change to “business as usual.”

3.     Strategy #3: Rethink how your business operations can function to eliminate waste and keep resources in circulation. Is there potential to lease out your product via the “product as a service” strategy? It is much more efficient for one business to own and maintain many products, rather than have many product owners maintain one product. Economy of scale is real, and you should take advantage of it! Or, possibly digitize a portion of your service line to eliminate the need for physical resources. Instead of printing that document, why not digitize it instead. Eco Friendly Printer can certainly help you do so.

4.     Strategy #4: Reduce the number of new materials your businesses sources by maximizing the durability of what resources are already in your possession. Every product has a material lifecycle, and a product is only as sustainable as that lifecycle.

Source: Photo from Getty Images by Ivan Bijac

5.     Strategy #5: Offer reusable solutions rather than single-use products. It saves time, energy and certainly money. Your bottom line will thank you!

6.     Strategy #6: Redesign your product to be easily repairable and customizable. It adds value and a sense of ownership for the customer, incentivizing them to maintain the condition of their purchase, rather than throw it away and buy another when it’s convenient. Plus, it helps you maintain a relationship with your customer base!

Source: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

7.     Strategy #7: Offer opportunities for your customers to purchase refurbished or remanufactured versions of your product. Who doesn’t like incentives, right? Eco Friendly Printer sells large, refurbished printers at huge discounts, saving you money and keeping material out of the landfill.

8.     Strategy #8: Repurpose waste material into something of value. Referred to as either “upcycling” or “downcycling,” (based on whether or not the final product is more valuable than the original) there are dozens of ways to repurpose waste material if you get creative enough.

9.     Strategy #9: Ensure what exports your company produces, that have the potential to be recycled and reintroduced into the market. This means focusing on materials that are durable and fully recyclable, like metals. Or, it can mean focusing on biodegradable materials, like textiles. Many times, we underestimate the potential of the products we already have and end up paying to create waste instead of saving money by avoiding it.

10.  Strategy #10: Regenerate natural systems by directing bio-waste to commercial composting facilities. Let’s not forget there are ‘businesses’ dedicated to waste management who are willing to help you based on your own situation. Reach out and see how others can help you!

In Summary

Businesses need to evolve their operational thinking and actively reduce the waste going through traditional routes of disposal. Start tough conversations early for better solutions. Signing up for a zero-waste operation is no easy task and your results won’t be perfect on day one! Transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy takes time, patience, and partnerships. Technology also acts an important catalyst for radical improvement and net-zero commitments can act as a big first step for your company. Reach out to experts, like the Circular Economy Studio, for help and commit to your goals. Come up with a process and system that best suits your waste management needs.

Get started Now!

Look for platforms and organizations that help you plan and achieve your waste management goals.

·       Know about your Material Lifecycle

·       Know exactly what your waste is costing you

·       Assess your Supply Chain

·       Foster Innovative Thinking

·       Don’t forget the 10 R’s

Related Content:

If you would like to read more articles on becoming a circular business, take a look at the following resources.

·       Book: Circular Economy for Dummies

·       Podcast: ‘Don’t Call it Sustainable’ on Spotify and YouTube

·       Article: Zero Net Waste: How a Sustainability Dream is becoming reality

·       Organization: Ellen MacArthur Foundation