• News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Well Being
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
Twitter LinkedIn YouTube
Trending
  • Document Management Company Celebrating Award Success For Third Consecutive Year
  • Podcast advertising: A lesser-known secret to marketing success
  • 7 effective tips for achieving a better work-life balance as a self-employed professional
  • Education and Culture: Tools against workplace stress
  • Ensuring Ethical AI Practices Tailored to Your Industry’s Needs
  • European Business Lenders Forecast Spiralling Fraud Rates
  • Autumn Statement sparks SME hope, but there is more work to be done
  • Why Too Much Ego is Disastrous in a Transformation Project
Twitter LinkedIn YouTube
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
You are at:Home»Environment»How SMEs can raise the bar on global climate goals
How SMEs can raise the bar on global climate goals

How SMEs can raise the bar on global climate goals

0
By sme-admin on April 21, 2023 Environment

Sustainability has now become a driving force for businesses as they face increasing pressure to lower their carbon footprint and fulfil Environment Social Governance (ESG) objectives. Time is ebbing away, as is the hope of achieving NetZero, but it’s a race which can still be won if organisations, including SMEs, actively work towards that goal by pledging their green commitments through setting targets and measuring their environmental impact.

Take manufacturing for example, an industry historically known for its overproduction and waste which have been significant contributors to emissions. However, manufacturers are now taking crucial strides to reverse this trend by setting ESG standards and also embracing the circular economy. Sustainable manufacturing is now being seen as not just environmentally, but economically viable.

Companies across many sectors that have developed robust ESG standards are seeing better profitability and stronger financial performance. Not only that, but it is promoting improved wellbeing among employees. Going green and growing long-term profits is no longer a choice. It is vital for businesses, no matter how small, to act now. The consequences of not taking action are becoming graver, with climate change expected to cause even more catastrophic damage to economies and negatively impact us all. This is the message underpinning this year’s Earth Day on 22nd April, with the theme ‘Build a Healthy Economy’.

Small changes, big impact

For businesses yet to take steps towards building a stronger ESG strategy, they can start by considering what small changes they could make this Earth Day. Small, incremental adjustments will accumulate over time, potentially leading to an increase in their recycling rates and a decrease in the purchase of new goods & equipment, ultimately leading to more profit on the bottom line.

Audits are a great way for businesses to streamline their waste management and ensure that their waste gets to the right place. A recycling and waste management specialist can review an organisation’s collection schedule and frequency, identify potential economies of scale and cost saving opportunities, to ensure the best value. Resource efficiency can also impact on profitability. An audit not only identifies areas of opportunity for what’s going in the bin and how it’s processed but also how choosing an optimal waste storage solution (bin, container etc.) and quantity of waste output can impact on the operational activities. It’s important to consider factors such as whether staff are spending time moving waste or having to travel a distance to dispose of certain waste streams, as this can impinge on resources.

A firm can also review its IT provision and before purchasing new stock, consider whether poor performance can be combatted by good hardware processes and a clean-up, rather than adding to the e-waste increase. If electrical goods need to be disposed of, it’s important for businesses to ensure it is done so safely and by using a professional company. Recent research from Uswitch found that the UK is the second largest producer of e-waste at 23.9 kg per person, as e-waste increases 98% since 2008.

Contamination of materials is significant in the recycling industry, so one key element for business owners is to work in partnership with their waste management provider to train staff and add notices to encourage the right items to go into the right bins, therefore increasing the quality of a company’s recyclate.

What items can be collected?

A waste management specialist should be able to collect a range of materials from businesses including:

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Cans & Metal
  • Cartons
  • Coffee Cups
  • Glass
  • Hazardous waste
  • Plastics
  • Polystyrene
  • Wood

Royal Agricultural University: Cultivating a greener waste strategy

Working with the RAU since 2012, Printwaste have supported the university’s zero to landfill objectives to ensure sustainable waste management through a multi-site solution.

These solutions include:

  • Confidential shredding service compliant with GDPR legislation; collected from eight locked consoles for maximum security.
  • Dry mixed recycling including plastic packaging and drinks cans, paper, as well as cardboard. These items are collected in mixed recycling bins and sorted at a materials recycling centre for repurposing into new products.
  • Management of hazardous waste and non-recyclable waste streams as required, including batteries, laboratory waste and cleaning products. Where possible Printwaste deconstructs items into component parts for recycling, or employ energy recovery (Waste to Energy) for any items which have no current methods for recycling.
  • Sustainable management of end-of-life, bulky household items from student housing on campus, including furniture and mattresses for example. These are diverted from landfill as standard, and sustainably recycled where possible or sent for energy recovery if not.
  • Event-specific waste management, deploying additional bins and units to provide extra capacity for specific events or busy periods.

Andy Hughes, Estates and Facilities Administrator for the RAU says, “As a university with a focus on rural and environmental education, sustainability is a core focus for us and finding a single supplier to help us achieve zero to landfill was a must. Printwaste has provided an effective, efficient process to our waste management that tackles the everyday waste as well as the hard-to-recycle items. They have implemented it with our needs and students in mind, and have given us a comprehensive, cost-effective solution.”

Just by updating waste management practices to achieve zero waste to landfill and deliver efficiency gains is a step all businesses should take now to start shaping their ESG strategy, so that by the next Earth Day, prospects for the planet may just be a little brighter.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Two-thirds of UK firms still unclear about their carbon footprint

The road to sustainability: One tech business’s journey to net zero and beyond

Major Businesses From Across The South West Convene For “Big Green Conversation” At The University Of Bath

Comments are closed.

Follow SME Today on Linkedin and share all the topics you find interesting

The Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from SMEToday
Read our Latest Newsletter:

Sign Up
Events Calendar
    • Marketing
    November 24, 2023

    Ten Red Flags to Look for When Hiring a Marketing Agency in 2024

    November 13, 2023

    The Power of a Name – Expert Tips for Naming Your Business

    • Finance
    November 29, 2023

    European Business Lenders Forecast Spiralling Fraud Rates

    November 27, 2023

    Autumn Statement sparks SME hope, but there is more work to be done

    Protean Inbound Marketing
    • Health & Safety
    November 21, 2023

    Fire Safety: How to Protect Your Business With 5 Simple Steps

    September 5, 2023

    The Importance of Preventing Falls in the Workplace

    Discover Maximizer
    Discover Maximiser
    • Events
    November 15, 2023

    The Great Christmas Raffle Raising Vital Funds For Charities

    September 28, 2023

    Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races Returning in 2024

    • Community
    November 17, 2023

    Cherishers 811 CIC Wins Bronze & Silver Stevie® Award In 2023 Stevie Awards For Women In Business

    November 15, 2023

    The Great Christmas Raffle Raising Vital Funds For Charities

    • Food & Drink
    November 8, 2023

    Brownie business reaches ‘epic’ proportions with support from Delivered UK and The APC network

    August 8, 2023

    London’s Remote Work Coffee Shop Guide: work-friendly independents and small chains closest to every tube stop in London’s Zone 1

    • Books
    November 27, 2023

    Why Too Much Ego is Disastrous in a Transformation Project

    November 16, 2023

    The Fenton Elliott Business Book Club

    About

    SME Today is published by the same team who deliver The Great British Expos’. We have been organising various corporate events for the last 10 years, with a strong track record of producing well managed and attended business events across the UK.

    Join Our Mailing List

    Receive the latest news and updates from SMEToday.
    Read our Latest Newsletter:


    Sign Up
    Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Most Recent Posts
    November 30, 2023

    Document Management Company Celebrating Award Success For Third Consecutive Year

    November 30, 2023

    Podcast advertising: A lesser-known secret to marketing success

    November 29, 2023

    7 effective tips for achieving a better work-life balance as a self-employed professional

    November 29, 2023

    Education and Culture: Tools against workplace stress

    November 29, 2023

    Ensuring Ethical AI Practices Tailored to Your Industry’s Needs

    Categories
    • Books
    • Community
    • Education and Training
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Features
    • Finance
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Safety
    • HR & Recruitment
    • In Profile
    • Legal
    • Marketing
    • News
    • Property & Development
    • Sponsored Content
    • Technology
    • Transport
    • Well Being
    Copyright © 2020 SME Today.
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Privacy
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.