A sustainable business can help reduce costs, increase profits, and protect the environment. One way to make your business more sustainable is by recycling. Here are some things your business should be recycling to improve revenue, reduce costs, and protect the environment:
1. Ferrous Metal
Ferrous metal is now one of the most recycled materials in the world. In addition, in 2019, worldwide steel scrap consumption came to around 491 million metric tons, making steel one of the most sustainable materials on earth.
It’s essential to recycle ferrous metal because recycling steel conserves energy and natural resources. For every ton of steel recycled, you can save the environment from fossil fuel consumption. Recycling ferrous metal can also be profitable for your business. Ferrous metal is often used in construction and manufacturing. As a result, there’s always a demand for recycled ferrous metal.
2. Plastic
More than 79% of Americans have access to recycling programs for plastic bottles and containers, making it one of the most recycled materials in the United States. It’s essential to recycle plastic because it conserves energy and natural resources. For example, recycling just one ton of plastic can save 2,000 gallons of gasoline. In addition, recycling plastic can be profitable for your business. Plastic is often used in packaging and manufacturing, so you can easily repurpose plastic for other uses.
3. Paper
Recycling paper is one of the easiest ways to be sustainable. Paper is the most recycled material in the world. It’s important to recycle paper because it conserves energy and natural resources. Recycling paper can save tons of trees from being cut down, further affecting natural environments and leading to deforestation. In addition, recycling paper can be profitable for your business. Paper is often used in packaging and manufacturing, so you can rest assured that there will always be a demand for recycled paper. If you’re an entrepreneur, recycling paper is a great way to make more income and save the environment.
4. Glass
Your business can recycle glass over and over again without losing its quality. In addition, recycling glass conserves energy and natural resources. Your business might use glass such as windows, bottles, or jars. Simply put your glass bottles and products in a recycling bin along with your aluminum cans to recycle glass. You can also recycle glass by selling it to other businesses that might need it.
5. Wooden Pallets
The typical lifespan of a wooden pallet ranges from 3-5 years, but plastic pallets can last up to 10 years. If you have wooden pallets, consider recycling them instead of throwing them away. You can recycle your wooden pallets by breaking them down and using them as mulch or compost. You can also sell your wooden pallets to companies that might use them and help another entrepreneur, such as shipping companies, store furniture companies, and more.
6. Computers and Electronics
Computers and electronics often contain valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper. As a result, recycling your old computers and electronics can be profitable for your business. Recycling your computers and electronics helps reduce e-waste, a growing environmental issue.
In addition, you should recycle batteries within your computer and electronics. Batteries contain various toxic chemicals, so recycling them is important instead of throwing them away. You can recycle your batteries by taking them to a local battery recycling center.
7. Company Vehicles
If your company no longer has use for certain vehicles, you can recycle them by selling them for scrap metal. Selling your vehicles for scrap metal is a great way to make some extra money for your business, especially if you’re an entrepreneur looking for more income. In addition, recycling your company vehicles conserves energy and natural resources.
With energy use in the U.S. doubling every two decades, these tips above can help your business conserve energy and resources and make some extra money. Recycling materials such as plastic, paper, glass, wood, and metal can help your business become more sustainable and profitable.
