The reason is simple. You should recycle the organic waste at your manufacturing facility to help save the planet.

You probably already recycle some industrial materials at your facility. You might have separate recycling bins for plastic and glass and metal. Or cardboard, electronics, batteries, or bulbs. Or hazardous materials.

Organic Waste Recycling is Good Corporate Citizenship

You can increase your corporate and community sustainability efforts by starting an organic waste recycling program. Many different types of manufacturers in a wide variety of industries have organic waste that should not end up in a landfill decomposing into methane. There are already too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The process of starting an organic waste recycling program will be similar to when you began previous waste reduction and recycling programs. The primary difference is now we’re talking about separating, storing, and transporting organic wastes, food wastes and bio solids. It basically just takes your facility’s waste management process to the next level.

Here is an overview of the process your manufacturing facility would undergo if you begin an organic waste recycling program:

1. Define Your Waste Stream and Internal Activity

Depending on your business, you can probably identify a primary source of organic waste at your facility. You might have landscape waste, such as grass, leaves, and the trimmings from your trees and brush. Or you have old drywall from construction and renovation sites. Or filter cake, paper pulp, food waste, brewers/distillers grains, or bio solids. Or manure.

If you’ve identified an organic waste stream, you need to determine how your action plan will match with your basic implementation options:

• Do it yourself. You can allocate resources to learn the process of sorting, storing, and transporting your organic waste to a local recycling facility.
• If you have the space and wherewithal, you can take the big step of recycling on-site at your facility. You can then use and/or distribute the composts and mulch you create.
• Partner with a local organic waste recycling service. Your current solid waste and recycling vendors may also provide organic services. Experts in organic waste recycling can help you evaluate your waste stream, set-up accessible space in your facility with the needed containers, and haul away your waste.

2. Train and Reinforce Stakeholders

Like any new internal program, your team members will need to be integrated into the plan through proper training and ongoing reinforcement. If you partner with a local organic waste recycler, they should be able to provide your organization with support materials and proven internal training methods to establish and maintain a successful program.

3. Align Infrastructure and Assets

Ease of access to appropriate recycling containers is important for your staff and for the special trucks that haul your waste away. Your service provider will ensure the infrastructure and assets provide maximize usability and convenience for all stakeholders.

4. Contribute to Better Community and Environment

No matter which option works best for you, the end result of your actions benefit your community, your company, and the environment. Rather than contribute to the creation of destructive pollutants, you will convert organic waste into energy, compost, and other useful products.

Take the First Step

Are you ready to begin your organic waste recycling program? Do you still have a few questions or concerns? One of our organic waste recycling experts would be glad to have a conversation with you about any aspect of your program. Just contact us.

We are certified by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to accept a wide variety of organic wastes, food wastes and bio solids.