Waste management has been a rising concern for the masses. The amount of waste that is generated by us on a daily scale has caused severe hazards to the environment on every level, ranging from microorganisms to humans. Wastes have caused a significant impact on the way we function; it has irreversibly depleted the ecosystem, making it hard for the environment to get back on track.
When talking about retail businesses or shops and godowns, waste management has caused much more severe problems in their performance than one might imagine. The rising costs of waste management have rolled out several programs that when improvised with heightened consumer awareness, leads to new and improved purchasing decisions. The modern-day customers have taken a step towards such wastes and raise their voice for the same. While they are doing their bit on improving the management of waste, there’s a clear and undeniable need for proper waste management for the shops and godowns.
Listed below are five solutions to help you tackle the retail waste:
1. Recycling of products:
You could adapt to this rising model that is being used by many growing businesses. Under this, the shops and godowns at the retail level can ask their customers to use the product at their maximum shelf life and safely dispose of it once their active life ends. Settling such programs helps you form a lower waste footprint that ultimately lays a great significance on a global scale. Interestingly, you could also introduce exciting offers to your customers for initiating the recycling process.
This specific recycling model is known to improve the customer base. Taking an example of the famous shoe manufacturer Adidas, they also introduced a similar business model and ended up catching the attention of more customers in due time.
2. Buy-back programs:
While buy-back programs are generally focused on the collection of e-waste, you could also take some notes and adapt this model to reduce the waste generated.
A take-back or buy-back program usually requires the retailers in buying back their sold products after they have met their life cycle. Traditionally used in e-products, this step ensures proper disposal of such wastes and often leads to effective recycling as most of the waste products require repair to start working as new.
This business model serves both the retailers and the customers as most of them usually sell it off to scrapyard to get rid of the junk. By giving it back to their retailers, they ensure proper disposal of the waste. Interestingly, these programs also add on to to the revenue for the retailer.
3. Ensuring minimal packaging for products:
The rise of e-commerce has also introduced us to the packaging of products. Since shopping online contributes to a significant section of the economies, it is no hidden fact that the products often come with overwhelming packaging to ensure the safety of the product. While this feels like a smart move, these carton packages add on to the price of the product and also increase deforestation.
While this has been a significant problem for a number of companies, many eCommerce giants like Amazon are looking forward to utilising the cardboard packaging in ways more than one. This step is meant to be used as a leading solution to ensure proper waste management on the trim levels.
Suggested above were some of the most common ways to reduce the waste that is generated in the retail sectors. The present competition in the retail segment has changed the ways businesses operate as most of them are striving to make their business a hit in this competitive market. Retailers need to think outside the box to survive such competitions and are often advised to employ new tips and tricks for the same. Improving waste management in the smaller levels can be of added advantage for the global levels.
Looking at the present conditions of rising levels of waste, the recycling factories are running at an all-time high. However, the amount of garbage that is generated by humans on a daily level is beyond the treatment of these plants. To ensure success at this mammoth task, we need to come together and start over with the basics of waste management.
Essential tips on proper waste management:
Listed below are some of the practical tips that are important for proper waste management:
1. Rethink and Reuse:
One useful tip for waste management is re-thinking over what are the articles which are necessary. If we ensure maximum usage of all the papers at our home, office, or stores, we provide full use of a single product and push back its sale for some time.
However, once the product has reached its shelf life, the next step that needs to be followed in disposing of it in a proper manner. There are different types of wastes that require special treatment to ensure that they don’t harm the environment. Next time you throw your garbage, ensure that you dispose of it properly.
2. Reduce:
Another important and useful waste management tip is to reduce the total amount of packaging that is purchased and put to use. While you step out of your house, try and encourage a no to the use of plastic bags and carry the bags made of earthly materials. Try and say a ‘NO’ to plastic bags as and when necessary.
3. Recycle:
Probably a gigantic step of them all, recycling is as simple as using the right bin to put the right waste in. It is one of the best and proven ways of reducing waste. Interestingly, you could put away all the leftover eatables like egg, milk, fruits, vegetables, and salads into your very own organic pit at the convenience of your backyard.
You should also be aware of not littering around the surrounding spaces as that also counts for waste management.
4. Re-educate:
Lastly, re-educating is an essential component of the handling and management of waste. Re-education bridges the gap between the masses who are not so aware of the ultimate damage they are doing to the environment. While most of us have an idea of the basics around recycling, many of us often forget about following them, thanks to our busy lives.
Effective waste management starts at home first, so make sure that you, along with your family, educate yourself on the topic and stay committed to cleaning the environment.
Re-education is also relevant in our schools and workplaces. The young toddlers should be taught about the importance of effective waste management.
Reducing the amount of waste and how we handle the waste that we dispose into the environment is undoubtedly under our control. Every individual should come forward and take active participation in the same.
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FAQs
Q. How do I safely dispose of a waste cylinder?
A. The first step is to ensure that the gas is empty, then only will you be able to dispose of it safely. Once done with clearing the gas inside, you can hand it over to your gas agency as they know best about the situation.
Q. Should I exchange my e-waste with online sites?
A. Yes, you can easily exchange them as they know best what needs to be done.