Tips and Tricks to Help Retailers Operate More Sustainably

As the pressure on businesses to operate more sustainably increases, retailers are understandably looking for ways they can improve their sustainability whilst also balancing other important metrics. When done correctly, focusing on boosting your company’s eco credentials through sustainable waste management can improve brand reputation and attract eco-conscious customers, all while leading to cost savings too.

With all that in mind, here are some actionable tips and tricks from our team at Brown Recycling that will help retailers manage their waste more sustainably.

Waste reduction and prevention

The first step towards sustainable waste management is waste reduction. Retailers can implement strategies to prevent waste generation at its source, which is often the most cost-effective and environmentally beneficial approach. Try these:

• inventory management – by optimising inventory levels and reducing overstock, retailers can minimise waste associated with expired or unsellable products.
• reduce packaging – reducing packaging materials and using eco-friendly packaging alternatives can really cut down on waste. Retailers can also encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable packaging practices.
• product design – collaborating with manufacturers to design products that are durable, repairable and recyclable helps in reducing the overall waste generated from products that are coming to the end of their life.

Recycling and reuse

Recycling and reusing materials are crucial components of a sustainable waste management strategy. Retailers can establish recycling programs to manage various types of waste:

• material recovery – implementing proper recycling programs for materials like cardboard, plastics, glass and metals can divert significant amounts of waste from landfill. You can also partner with reputable waste management and recycling companies to ensure these materials are processed and reused efficiently and sustainably.
• reusable packaging – encouraging the use of reusable bags, containers and packaging will help to reduce single-use waste, and you can offer incentives to customers to encourage them to bring their own bags or containers to further promote this.
• donation programmes – unsold but usable products can be donated to charities, food banks or community organisations, diverting them from landfill and helping out at the same time.

Composting organic waste

Organic waste, such as food scraps, can be composted to create valuable compost rather than ending up in landfill where it produces harmful methane emissions. Retailers, especially those in the food industry, can set up composting bins in-store for organic waste which can help manage food scraps and other biodegradable materials.

Employee training and engagement

For waste management programmes to be successful, employee involvement is essential. Retailers can invest in training programs to educate employees about sustainable waste management practices:

• training programme – conducting regular training sessions on waste segregation, recycling practices and sustainability initiatives helps employees understand their role and the difference they can make.
• incentive programmes – recognising and rewarding employees who actively participate in and contribute to waste reduction efforts can be really motivating for the rest of the company.

Monitor and report

Regularly monitoring and reporting on waste management and recycling initiatives helps track progress and identify areas for improvement. This is a great way to keep improving and becoming more sustainable. Try to set clear, measurable sustainability goals and timelines, implement easy to track tools to collect and analyse data on key metrics and share progress reports with the stakeholders that matter. Transparency is so important in today’s business world, so don’t shy away from it!

Brown Recycling is the leading waste management and recycling company in Staffordshire and South Cheshire. We have a proven track record of helping retailers throughout the region hit their recycling targets and reduce their waste management costs in the process. If you want to learn more about how we can help just get in touch. Call our expert team on 0800 998 1069.