If you don’t know this already, trash is becoming a major problem with the world we live in. Landfills can only carry so much before affecting surrounding areas as well as the water table below. But plastic is not our only problem. Electronic waste is right up there with single-use plastics filling up those landfills. But what can companies do from their end?

What is e-waste?

While people are finally realizing the importance of recycling and segregation of trash, there is still a humongous amount of trash being generated daily. This ends up in landfills which eventually affects the area around. Among this trash is e-waste or electronic waste. This encompasses old cell phones, laptops, broken TVs, etc.

While individuals do contribute to e-waste a lot, it is the companies that play the biggest role in the accumulation of e-waste. This occurs both during production as well as post-consumption. The number of devices being manufactured has risen exponentially, which in turn means that the number of devices being disposed of is huge. This e-waste is becoming a real problem in our technologically advancing world.

What is Zero Waste operations?

Zero Waste operations is a concept that helps combat our growing electronic waste disposal problem. The idea is aimed at manufacturing industries that generate a huge percentage of total waste. With the growing use of electronics in almost every aspect of our life, e-waste disposal is already a problem on our hands.

The idea is two-fold. Zero Waste operations go beyond the reduction and prohibition of the use of single-use plastics. On one hand, it aims at the restructuring of production systems to generate less by-product waste. This will involve big changes in the way industries operate and naturally is not easy to implement quickly on a large scale.

On the other hand, the concept aims to eliminate end product waste or post-consumption waste. This is where the biggest problem lies. With the rate at which we are going through electronic devices, our landfills will soon be mounds of disposed cell phones and microwaves.

Zero Waste operations are a way to recycle and reuse previously disposed off products to reduce the imprint of electronic waste.

Why should businesses aim for Zero Waste operations

While we agree change should start at the user level, there is no doubt that electronic industries are major contributors to e-waste. Zero Waste operations will undoubtedly add a strain on production, with changes to be made in production as well as distribution. But over time the recycling model will benefit not just the earth, but the businesses too.

A huge factor that benefits the company is the elimination of waste management. Along with that comes regulations for disposal of various by-products. The Zero Waste model helps industries cut down drastically on these expenses.

The Zero Waste model encourages waste management at the initial set up right till the end product and after. With growing concerns about sustainability, employing a Zero Waste model for your company will only boost your standing.

Microsoft has recently made headlines for announcing that it aims for its operations to be zero waste by the year 2030. While this is a welcome step from a tech giant like Microsoft, we would love to see some other companies stepping up.

Benefits of a Zero Waste model

Reduces climate impact: There is no denying that we are headed for trouble. With the impact of climate change becoming more apparent by the year, it is of utmost importance to engage in reducing our footprint right now.

Conservation of resources: As the population continues to increase, we are feeling a strain on materials that we took for granted at one point. The Zero Waste model works to reduce the amount of resources required by companies.

Save on Waste Management: Waste Management is a huge drain on resources for industries. Over time, the Zero Waste model will reduce the dependence on waste management as well as the resources lost on it. Currently, not only do companies have to pay for dumping in landfills, but they also have to pay for lugging the waste around.

Get ahead of the curve: The change is already being heard. Consumers are starting to care about how their products were made and how it impacted the world we live in. The Zero Waste model is a Media goldmine. A simple Zero waste tag on a company could put it ahead of its competition.

What are your thoughts on the Zero Waste model to boost sustainability? Let us know in the comments below.

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