3 Ways Companies Can Contribute to the Circular Economy

There is a movement afoot in the global business arena; a movement to transition to a more circular economy. This movement is based on the belief that our consumer-driven society is harming the planet on which we all live. If your company’s mission statement aligns with such thinking, you have an obligation to contribute to the circular economy.

You and your team cannot change the world all alone. Your actions will not single-handedly create a circular economic model the rest of the world will follow. But your small contributions become big contributions when combined with the efforts of others.

The circular economy is characterized by three things, according to Forbes contributor Walter Schindler:

• Reducing or eliminating waste and pollution,
• Prioritizing durability, reuse, and recycling of products and materials, and
• Helping the environment by regenerating natural systems.

It is easy to look at these things and assume they have nothing to do with your business. But if your company produces any amount of industrial plastic waste, there is at least one thing your organization can do to contribute to the circular economy. It is described below, along with additional suggestions.

1. Reducing Unnecessary Waste

It is not possible to run a business that produces absolutely no waste. In fact, it’s not possible for humans to exist without generating waste. We live in an imperfect world in which some amount of waste is unavoidable. Still, companies certainly can reduce waste by avoiding what is unnecessary.

Your industrial plastic waste does not have to be hauled away by your refuse hauler. It does not have to wind up in a landfill. We can take that plastic waste and recycle it. We accept plastic totes, pallets, and buckets. We buy baled plastic bottles and purge material.

We transform the plastic waste we buy into plastic regrind. We also have customers who purchase that regrind and use it in their own manufacturing processes. To be sure, industrial plastic recycling is the epitome of the circular economy.

2. Adopt Reusable Means of Production

Companies can further contribute to the circular economy by adopting reusable means of production. In a practical sense, this means producing things in such a way as to encourage reusing supplies and materials rather than disposing of them after just one use. For example, take a look in your office.

Does your company produce a lot of paperwork for internal purposes? If so, is your company’s practice to use just one side of the paper and then discard it after use? Try using both sides instead. You will cut your paper usage in half. If you recycle the paper when you’re done with it, your company will be contributing to the circular economy.

Elsewhere in your company, look for any single-use materials you can find. Any such materials that can be replaced by reusable substitutes represent additional ways your company gets to contribute.

3. Prioritize Efficiency

Finally, the circular economy has efficiency at its core. When companies are more efficient, they generate less waste and use less energy. They also enjoy benefits that go beyond the circular economy. For instance, greater efficiency should lead to a higher return on investment. Even without increasing revenues, improving efficiency results in more profit.

Here at Seraphim Plastics, we are doing our part to transition to a circular economy by recycling industrial plastic waste. If your company is located in one of the seven states in which we operate, feel free to contact us to learn more about the types of plastic we buy. We will come to you to pick up your plastic waste.