With the help of the Institute for Social Integration, sorting jobs have been issued to low-income community members thus helping to reduce the unemployment rate. The advertising campaign, “Garbage that is Not Garbage” run by the city government encourages residents to sort their trash into “organic” and “inorganic” categories. The program includes educating residents regarding preservation of the environment, sustainable development, and combating hunger and poverty. This leads to improved nutrition for the population and encourages and incentivizes recycling and environmental preservation. Every 15 days in 101 different trading sites across the city, residents can exchange recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and oil for fresh produce. Founded in 1991, by 2007 the program had recovered over 45 thousand tons of waste from ending up in landfills – a reduction of almost 70% of landfill waste.įunds from the Curitiba Department of the Environment (SMMA) are used to buy surplus crops from regional farms which assists small farmers with crop sales. Every four kilograms of recyclables can be traded for one kilogram of fresh fruits and vegetables – guaranteeing the sale of surplus crop production and helping to keep the environment clean by encouraging recycling efforts. An effective waste minimisation and management program can take a proactive approach to lessen the environmental impact of business and neighbouring properties.The Green Exchange Program in the city of Curitiba, Brazil is a city-wide initiative where residents trade recyclable materials for fresh produce. As industry consumes fewer raw materials, it uses less fossil fuel and less pollution as a result. Preserving resources not only reduces waste, but can also reduce pollution, littering, and potential rodent infestation. These programs can create goodwill within the community, and thus opportunities to promote a positive ‘green image’. Waste minimisation and management programs are seen by many as an ideal opportunity to do something positive for the environment. Minimising waste is an ideal way to strengthen existing community attitudes and current environmental awareness and education programs. The many potential benefits to be gained from minimising waste can only be realised by the identification of all costs associated with existing disposal systems, including hidden costs. As suppliers and producers respond to ‘green’ pressure and streamline their systems to minimise packaging and waste their costs should also decrease. A cooperative approach is vital to reducing costs. There are various benefits to good waste management, this includes: Economic Benefits:Īn effective waste minimisation and management program can reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills by over 60%. In addition to the environmental impacts of these decisions, you will also need to consider technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental protection. The decisions you are legally obliged to make to follow this waste hierarchy include identifying the best approach for the specific waste your business generates. Legally in Northern Ireland, we are required to apply the waste management hierarchy. (Source: Government Review of Waste Policy, Defra, 2011) This forms the “waste hierarchy” which can be seen in the image below. Smart waste means applying the waste hierarchyĪrticle 4 of the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) sets out five steps for dealing with waste considering the environmental impact. Therefore, think about the principle of ‘right first time’ because reworking impacts the bottom line from wasted time, materials, and generation of waste. Other hidden costs include the rework of a product. The hidden costs associated with waste management are identified in the image. In fact, waste costs the business money twice (buying it and disposing of it). The invoices that you pay for waste management services are only a small percentage of the overall cost of your waste. Have you considered the ‘hidden’ waste costs when allowing for waste budgets in the workplace? It makes you legally compliant, reduces costs of waste disposal, educates your employees to make better decisions at work and home, and can reduce rodent infestation and littering through better segregation and storage of waste. Smart waste management is massively beneficial for businesses.
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