It’s no secret that the waste industry has a bigger influence on the environment than most other sectors. Of course, reducing carbon footprint is everyone’s responsibility, but those in the waste management niche have an obligation to explore new ways of processing garbage and implementing new recycling initiatives. What are some of these initiatives that warrant exploration at the dawn of this new decade?
The Zero Waste Program
C40 is a nationwide program consisting of participating cities that pledge to adopt an eco-friendlier solution in accordance with the Zero Waste principle. Municipalities that partake in the C40 program pledge to reduce solid waste in their respective locality by 15% or more by 2030. They also pledge to divert waste away from landfills and incinerators by 70%, also by 2030. As of the date of this post, C40 cities include major U.S. metropolitans, such as Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York City, Portland, and Philadelphia.
Investing in Composting Programs
Currently, organic products, such as paper, make up 66% of the country’s solid waste, according to the EPA. This can be greatly curtailed by composting organics instead of discarding them in the waste bin. More government bodies are already taking action at the state and municipal levels. California, for example, has passed laws requiring restaurants and food manufacturers to recycle or compost food waste. More cities are also implementing curbside recycling programs. Scientists from Purdue University are even exploring the conversion of food waste into hydrogen fuel.
Innovative Recycling Containers
What if garbage and recycling containers could be designed to be more energy-efficient? A company called Bigbelly has developed trash and recycle containers with a built-in compactor that’s powered by solar energy. The compaction enables eight times the normal storage. This enables trash collectors to reduce the number of scheduled pickups, in turn reducing fuel and truck emissions.
Let Us Streamline Your Waste Management Initiative
Waste companies at the local level also have a duty to minimize their carbon footprint. At Big Truck Rental, we provide refuse management truck solutions suitable for daily residential and commercial pickups. This streamlines pickup times and reduces time on the road, thereby lowering fuel expenditure. Contact us today to learn more.