How To Help Fight Plastic Pollution
According to an OECD report, the world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago. This includes the bulk of it ending up in landfill, incinerated or leaking into the environment, and only 9% successfully recycled. Global plastic waste produced is around 400 million tons yearly. The plastic pollution problem has been increasing by the years, however there is a range of ways you can reduce your plastic waste. If you are wondering how you can reduce plastic pollution as a business, follow the steps below.
How Businesses Can Help Tackle The Plastic Pollution Crisis
The good news for businesses is that there are a variety of ways they can contribute to reducing the growing problem of plastic waste. Here are 5 ways you can help build a more eco-friendly business.
1. Partner With A Waste Management Company For A Recycling Collection
The first step is to create a recycling program for your workplace. Many businesses, for example, create large quantities of plastic packaging. These plastic bags, wraps, films or whatever you are producing need to be correctly recycled to ensure they are diverted from landfill sites. Here, it may take up to 500 years to decompose! If you are creating a large amount of plastic, this will have a great contribution to plastic pollution.
You can also invest in hiring a plastic waste baler to help reduce the volume of plastic waste you are producing. This equipment works by compressing your waste into compact blocks that you can store easily ready for your collection. You can simply feed your waste into the machine where a strong plate then pushes down the plastic. To secure the bales, strapping or wire is fed through the back of the machine.
2. Limit Single Use Plastics
Single-use plastics include products such as plastic straws, plastic bottles and coffee cups that we use every day. These materials are the biggest contributors entering our oceans each year. Here, they harm marine life and even enter our food chain through microplastics. This is why it is important to limit single plastic use across the workplace. An idea includes creating branded water bottles for your business that can be repeatedly used, along with cutting the use of plastics in canteen areas.
Ocean Plastic
3. Create Clear, Designated Recycling Areas
Make sure to have designated recycling bin areas that are clearly signed. This helps employees correctly segregate waste and minimises the wrong disposal of items. You may also add images of items accepted on the bins along with bold titles to make it obvious.
4. Encourage & Teach Employees The Importance Of Recycling
Teaching employees about your new program to help reduce plastic pollution can give people motivation and direction. This helps with recycling and can increase rates across your business by encouraging the importance of creating a greener business. Employees can then come together to work towards a common goal with a rewarding purpose.
5. Use Sustainable Suppliers
Once you are doing all you can at your business to reduce waste, make sure to check your supplier’s values. It is important to choose to work with suppliers that are also acting sustainably and working on cutting down their plastic waste. This will mean you are a step ahead from the get go.
The Benefits Of Plastic
Whilst the wrong disposal of plastic waste can cause harm to the plant, there is a range of benefits that come with plastic items. In comparison to plastic free materials such as cardboard, plastic is highly durable and safe for food packaging. This increases the longevity of food life and reduces the rate of food waste. Plastic is also highly versatile, light weight and cost-effective.
We Recycle Most Types Of Plastic Waste
At Plastic Expert we recycle a range of plastic waste. This includes HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP and much more. Our team also collects and recycles other materials, such as cardboard, paper and hazardous materials. This makes us a one-stop-shop for all of your recycling needs, with rebates offered for bulk materials.
If you are looking for help to reduce plastic pollution, then partnering with us to ensure plastic recycling is an essential step. We divert a monumental amount of plastic waste from landfill each month with our professional services. Simply get in touch with our team to schedule your collection on a regular or ad-hoc basis.
