Waste & Recycling

	Conduct a Waste Assessment  It is critical to know what materials are in your company's waste stream before you try to develop a plan to reduce it. A waste assessment allows the recycling coordinator and/or green committee to examine current purchasing practices, waste generation and waste management.
	Develop a Waste Management Program  Integrating a Zero Waste goal for your waste management program that incorporates the "reduce, reuse, recycle" principles will not only benefit the environment but can also enhance your business' bottom line.
	Create a Sustainable Purchasing Policy A sustainable purchasing policy can help reduce waste, improve environmental impact and support progressive options. It provides clear direction to suppliers and employees and creates a long-term commitment that can withstand a turnover in management.
	Reduce First Waste prevention, also known as “source reduction”, means using fewer materials and resources to get a job done. Waste prevention methods create less waste in the first place.
	Reuse “Reuse” is defined as using an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function and new-life reuse where it is used for a new function.
	Recycle After your business has conducted a waste assessment and implemented policies on reducing and reusing materials, you can now focus on implementing your recycling program.
	Compost Businesses generate a significant amount of organic food waste, also known as food discards.

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