Waste Wise @ Work
Waste Reduction Tips for Businesses

What is waste reduction?
Waste reduction (or “waste prevention”) is reducing the amount and/or toxicity of materials going to be recycled or thrown away. Waste reduction is good for the environment because it saves limited resources and prevents pollution. It’s good for your company because it saves on purchasing and disposal costs and positions your company as an environmental leader.

How do you start?
Contact our waste reduction team for a free site visit to your company. We’ll assess your potential to reduce waste at the source and provide a written report developed just for you. We’ll help you implement a recycling program and train your employees, all at no cost to you.

If you want to get a serious start, make some simple changes at your work place today.  Businesses, organizations, agencies, and non-profits make choices starting when they purchase products. Choose items low in toxicity and are resource and energy efficient (look for the Energy Star label, percentage of post consumer content, and ingredients/components). Products with minimum or no packaging are preferable, or look for packaging returnable or recyclable.

The next choice you make is on how to use products in such a way as to reduce waste and/or toxicity. For example, place used office supplies on a shelf for reuse by someone else. Repair products whenever possible---it’s easier when you choose items that can be easily disassembled.

Read the labels for the words Caution, Warning, and Danger and choose items less toxic if possible. If your company is a Small Quantity Generator of hazardous waste, you may be eligible for membership in the EnviroStars
program.

Finally, at the end of a product’s intended life you have more choices. You can donate usable products or recycle them. Landfilling is the last resort, and sometimes the only option---so think before you buy!

Your business may have special needs
Most businesses have some materials in common, such as paper, fluorescent lights, and electronics. However, some companies have wastes that are specific to their industry, such as manufacturers, builders, food service, or company’s that generate hazardous waste. If your company’s waste needs special handling, we’ll provide a referral to help you get the assistance you need.

Want to try it on your own?  Use our Sustainability Checklist to identify waste reduction strategies that would work for your type of business.  We know each business is unique, so we have more than a dozen strategies to green up your business:

Kitsap County Public Works
Solid Waste Division
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
solidwaste@co.kitsap.wa.us