Yesterday we started a series focusing on the Four R?s of Waste Control beginning with a focus on ?Reduce? as the first R.? Today we will be looking at ?Reuse? and how it can fit into the culture of your business.

Next to reducing your waste amount, reusing your waste is the next best thing for creating a ?greener? world.? Reusing an item once its initial purpose has been fulfilled changes it to no longer being waste.

Practical examples of the ?reuse? principle are found more frequently in a person?s home however there are still some great ways to incorporate the ?reuse? principle into your business.

Printer cartridge and toner reuse ? Many printer companies have programs in place to collect empty ink and toner cartridges and refill them at the factory readying them for resell.? This process reduces the number of plastic shells that need to be manufactured by the ink and toner companies, reducing waste.? Some companies are even able to buy ink kits that allow them to fill their own cartridges.

Pallet reuse ? Wood and plastic pallet reuse has long been a practice employed by companies to help reduce waste and cost and today there are several programs in place to ?pool? pallets that can be shared among many companies without having to incur the cost of using brand new pallets with every shipment.

Reusable transport totes ? Like pallets more and more companies are moving toward plastic totes to transport goods within the organization instead of cardboard boxes.? The cost up front is slightly higher, but the savings is huge compared to the waste and cost of using cardboard boxes with only a few uses.

Suppliers that reuse ? One of the biggest ways companies can support the ?reuse? philosophy is by selecting to do business with and supporting organizations and vendors who are in a position to ?reuse? on multimillion dollar scales of volume and economy.? These companies have developed processes and have access to the manufacturing process that allow them to reuse waste savings millions of dollars.? There are thousands of suppliers who have been certified through one organization or another for excelling in this area and can be included when sourcing products.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist your company with sourcing with companies that have a commitment to ?Reusing? waste and/or have been certified as a leader in this area, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week?s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Last week we talked about how the four R’s of preventing waste specifically affects corporate waste disposal and that we would be starting a 5-part series this week on breaking down each of the 4 four R’s and what they mean to your company.Traditionally the four R’s have referred to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy with equally important recover, replenish and rethink being 3 more that could be added to the list.  Today we are going to focus on Reduce, with the rest of this week focusing on Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy on the other the honorable mentions.

Reducing your waste is arguably the most important of all the R’s as it deals directly with the issue of waste.  The less waste you produce the less you need to worry about the other R’s in this equation.

Reducing waste can come in many forms that include the basic processes of change like having employees bring their own mugs and wash them after use instead of continuing to purchase paper or Styrofoam cups to using both sides of printer/copy paper for simple print jobs that do not require a clean sheet of paper.

As a corporation some of the important ways you can begin reducing your waste are:

Purchase more durable goods – By purchasing goods that last longer and come with stronger warranties you can create fewer purchases of that product which equal less waste.  In the process of choosing your vendors and products these two factors should be as important in the selection as price.  While we are on this topic, make sure you are checking the warranties of products before disposing of them.  Many times this option exercised with a repair can drastically reduce unnecessary waste.

Low-waste packaging – Select products (both for individual items and cases) that have the least wasteful packaging.  Avoiding packaging with unnecessary plastic bubble wrap or double packaged products can significantly reduce the waste generated not only your company but that of your customers too.

Energy efficient electronic equipment – The selection process is your opportunity to ensure you are choosing companies and products that support a more energy efficient mission.  These can easily be specified by you during the RFI, RFP or RFQ process in order to evaluate as another important aspect along with price.

Rechargeable batteries – Using rechargeable batteries instead of normal one-time use batteries will require an initial investment up front but will return a greater savings in the long run and reduce the waste generated by multiple battery purchases. 

Tomorrow’s blog will focus on “Reuse” and for more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist your company with sourcing with companies that have a commitment to “Reducing” waste, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Last week we talked about how the four R?s of preventing waste specifically affects corporate waste disposal and that we would be starting a 5-part series this week on breaking down each of the 4 four R?s and what they mean to your company.Traditionally the four R?s have referred to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy with equally important recover, replenish and rethink being 3 more that could be added to the list.? Today we are going to focus on Reduce, with the rest of this week focusing on Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy on the other the honorable mentions.

Reducing your waste is arguably the most important of all the R?s as it deals directly with the issue of waste.? The less waste you produce the less you need to worry about the other R?s in this equation.

Reducing waste can come in many forms that include the basic processes of change like having employees bring their own mugs and wash them after use instead of continuing to purchase paper or Styrofoam cups to using both sides of printer/copy paper for simple print jobs that do not require a clean sheet of paper.

As a corporation some of the important ways you can begin reducing your waste are:

Purchase more durable goods ? By purchasing goods that last longer and come with stronger warranties you can create fewer purchases of that product which equal less waste.? In the process of choosing your vendors and products these two factors should be as important in the selection as price.? While we are on this topic, make sure you are checking the warranties of products before disposing of them.? Many times this option exercised with a repair can drastically reduce unnecessary waste.

Low-waste packaging ? Select products (both for individual items and cases) that have the least wasteful packaging.? Avoiding packaging with unnecessary plastic bubble wrap or double packaged products can significantly reduce the waste generated not only your company but that of your customers too.

Energy efficient electronic equipment ? The selection process is your opportunity to ensure you are choosing companies and products that support a more energy efficient mission.? These can easily be specified by you during the RFI, RFP or RFQ process in order to evaluate as another important aspect along with price.

Rechargeable batteries ? Using rechargeable batteries instead of normal one-time use batteries will require an initial investment up front but will return a greater savings in the long run and reduce the waste generated by multiple battery purchases.?

Tomorrow?s blog will focus on ?Reuse? and for more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist your company with sourcing with companies that have a commitment to ?Reducing? waste, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week?s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

There has long been the concept of the three (and now four) Rs of preventing waste, and some argue that there may be a couple more you could add to that list (i.e. recover, replenish, rethink).  Next week will begin a 5 part series on the Four Rs, but today we are going to focus on how this concept applies to corporate waste disposal and how sourcing professionals can learn more about what some companies are doing in these areas to make a “greener” planet.

With so much trash being generated in the U.S. every day, it is increasingly important that business owners begin to look at what can be done to offset this trend and become more “green.”

Composting – Several Solid Waste Management Departments throughout the nation have introduced compost programs allowing companies and residents the chance to take their green waste (grass, leaves, brush) and have them converted into compost that is then used in the city parks and other city facilities.  These programs not only save landfill space in the process, but also help maximize the soil nutrient value and conserves water needed to maintain these areas.

Biomass energy – A few weeks ago we did a series on new green energies such as biomass energy, the processing of organic material to create energy, are how they are being embraced by the large waste disposal companies.  Waste Management, a leader in the waste disposal industry, has introduced several steps to increase creation of this new energy by supplying residents with recycling bags for them to fill with yard waste that will be turned into energy.

Education – As we move further into a new “green” millennium, it is ever more important for individuals and companies to get more educated on what they can do to become more observant of waste and what it means for our planet.  Companies such as Rumpke, are committed to this process by providing training sessions, videos and other material to help educate the public on what they can do to begin the “green” transition in their homes and businesses.

This list could go on, but the important thing is that there are companies that are serious about the long-term affects solid waste has on the environment and are committed to helping change the mindset and culture to begin protecting our planet.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist your company with sourcing with companies with this commitment, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

In Parts I and II of this blog series we covered a brief summary of five common types of Green Energy.? In today?s blog we will be looking at 3 more of the major organizations working to help offer Green Energy to other companies.

Nexant? Beginning in 2000, Nexant has become a leader in the energy solutions industry with its ?intelligent grid software? and multiple clean energy technologies.? Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Nexant was a pioneer in helping to develop and implement the very first energy efficiency certificate and is the leader in the ?monetization of energy efficiency.?

Nexant works with businesses to help them achieve their energy goals be it reducing energy or in the case of this BLOG, to help them reduce carbon emissions and select technologies and processes that lead to greener solutions that fit into many companies culture shift of being more concerned about the environment.

Sterling Planet ? Sterling Planet works with organizations, businesses and residential clients to bring them together with green energy supply and demand solutions to help them achieve energy solutions revolving around renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions.

Stering Planet?s mission statement of Reduce, Renew, Restore the carbon balance has resonated impressively across North America where their efforts have included 928 business clients, 43 colleges and univserities, 136 government agencies, and thousands of residents avoiding 25 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Green Mountain Energy ? Green Mountain Energy is a company offering traditional energy options, but is one that is 100% committed to offering its clients alternative energy options as well.? Green Mountain Energy services Oregon, Texas, new York and New Jersey, specializing in Solar, Wind and Hydro technologies in its ?green? portfolio.

The company, which was founded in 1997, boasts that every single product they offer has an environmental benefit and that since their beginning they have helped removed carbon dioxide emissions the equivalent of what 478 million trees could absorb in one year or 11.3 billion pounds.

Green Mountain helps residents and businesses alike prepare green energy solutions and migrations that allow them to drastically reduce carbon emissions protecting them against future increases in traditional non-renewable energy that constantly loom on the horizon.

For more information about how you can partner with companies that are involved with partnering with companies like these for alternative Green Energy sources for your sourcing needs please contact a SafeSourcing customer service representative today.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

In Parts I and II of this blog series we covered a brief summary of five common types of Green Energy.  In today’s blog we will be looking at 3 more of the major organizations working to help offer Green Energy to other companies.

Nexant– Beginning in 2000, Nexant has become a leader in the energy solutions industry with its “intelligent grid software” and multiple clean energy technologies.  Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Nexant was a pioneer in helping to develop and implement the very first energy efficiency certificate and is the leader in the “monetization of energy efficiency.”

Nexant works with businesses to help them achieve their energy goals be it reducing energy or in the case of this BLOG, to help them reduce carbon emissions and select technologies and processes that lead to greener solutions that fit into many companies culture shift of being more concerned about the environment.

Sterling Planet – Sterling Planet works with organizations, businesses and residential clients to bring them together with green energy supply and demand solutions to help them achieve energy solutions revolving around renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions.

Stering Planet’s mission statement of Reduce, Renew, Restore the carbon balance has resonated impressively across North America where their efforts have included 928 business clients, 43 colleges and univserities, 136 government agencies, and thousands of residents avoiding 25 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Green Mountain Energy – Green Mountain Energy is a company offering traditional energy options, but is one that is 100% committed to offering its clients alternative energy options as well.  Green Mountain Energy services Oregon, Texas, new York and New Jersey, specializing in Solar, Wind and Hydro technologies in its “green” portfolio.

The company, which was founded in 1997, boasts that every single product they offer has an environmental benefit and that since their beginning they have helped removed carbon dioxide emissions the equivalent of what 478 million trees could absorb in one year or 11.3 billion pounds.

Green Mountain helps residents and businesses alike prepare green energy solutions and migrations that allow them to drastically reduce carbon emissions protecting them against future increases in traditional non-renewable energy that constantly loom on the horizon.

For more information about how you can partner with companies that are involved with partnering with companies like these for alternative Green Energy sources for your sourcing needs please contact a SafeSourcing customer service representative today.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

In Parts I and II of this blog series we covered a brief summary of five common types of Green Energy.? In today?s blog we will be looking at 3 of the major organizations working to help offer Green Energy to other companies.

3degrees? This organization helps businesses locate and procure Green Energy and also consults with businesses on how they can leverage that energy to offset some of the carbon emissions that their businesses create during the course of operations.?

3degrees works with manufacturers of solar, wind, landfill gas, livestock biogas, geothermal, biomass, low-impact hydro and sustainable forestry energies to bring their products to businesses like Kohls, Whole Foods, Starbucks and Safeway to qualify for government certifications and incentives for environmentally conscious efforts.

WM Renewable Energy ? Part of the Waste Management Solid Waste removal company, this division produces landfill gas (biogas) from its network of over 270 landfills that is equivalent enough electricity to power more than 400,00 homes.? In addition to this technology, the Renewable Energy Group offers expertise to other groups to create their own waste-to-energy projects with a goal of creating enough energy to power over 2 million homes by 2020.

Waste management?s Wheelabrator Technologies division has been a leader in safe solid waste to energy conversion since the early 1970s.? This division has been responsible for converting more than 170 million tons of municipal solid waste into energy that would be equivalent to 177 million barrels of oil.

Xcel Energy ? This company, based in Minneapolis, MN provides energy to homes and businesses in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin and the Dakotas.? Along with traditional energy Xcel has programs that produce energy from wind, solar, and hyrdo power as well as biomass energy.

These types of renewable energy technologies allow Xcel to better fix the energy costs for their customers as other non-renewable energy prices fluctuate from month to month.? In 2010, the company produced 10% of their energy from renewable energy sources, doubling that amount that they were producing in 2007.? Xcel has been the #1 provider of Wind-generated energy by the American Wind Energy Association and were ranked 5th in the U.S. by the Solar Electric Power Association with plans to grow their production 500% by 2015.

For more information about how you can partner with companies that are involved with partnering with companies like these for alternative Green Energy sources for your sourcing needs please contact a SafeSourcing customer service representative today.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

In Parts I and II of this blog series we covered a brief summary of five common types of Green Energy.  In today’s blog we will be looking at 3 of the major organizations working to help offer Green Energy to other companies.

3degrees– This organization helps businesses locate and procure Green Energy and also consults with businesses on how they can leverage that energy to offset some of the carbon emissions that their businesses create during the course of operations. 

3degrees works with manufacturers of solar, wind, landfill gas, livestock biogas, geothermal, biomass, low-impact hydro and sustainable forestry energies to bring their products to businesses like Kohls, Whole Foods, Starbucks and Safeway to qualify for government certifications and incentives for environmentally conscious efforts.

WM Renewable Energy – Part of the Waste Management Solid Waste removal company, this division produces landfill gas (biogas) from its network of over 270 landfills that is equivalent enough electricity to power more than 400,00 homes.  In addition to this technology, the Renewable Energy Group offers expertise to other groups to create their own waste-to-energy projects with a goal of creating enough energy to power over 2 million homes by 2020.

Waste management’s Wheelabrator Technologies division has been a leader in safe solid waste to energy conversion since the early 1970s.  This division has been responsible for converting more than 170 million tons of municipal solid waste into energy that would be equivalent to 177 million barrels of oil.

Xcel Energy – This company, based in Minneapolis, MN provides energy to homes and businesses in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin and the Dakotas.  Along with traditional energy Xcel has programs that produce energy from wind, solar, and hyrdo power as well as biomass energy.

These types of renewable energy technologies allow Xcel to better fix the energy costs for their customers as other non-renewable energy prices fluctuate from month to month.  In 2010, the company produced 10% of their energy from renewable energy sources, doubling that amount that they were producing in 2007.  Xcel has been the #1 provider of Wind-generated energy by the American Wind Energy Association and were ranked 5th in the U.S. by the Solar Electric Power Association with plans to grow their production 500% by 2015.

For more information about how you can partner with companies that are involved with partnering with companies like these for alternative Green Energy sources for your sourcing needs please contact a SafeSourcing customer service representative today.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.