Sometimes, for a business, it can feel next to impossible to prevent waste outright. It really doesn’t matter what size the business is, such as a small business or a full-on massive corporation; waste will essentially always be there. Yes, even now, in a time where sustainability is everything and more governments around the globe are pushing for more sustainability, there will always be waste.
Now, when it comes to waste, it doesn’t inherently need to be bad. In fact, these businesses don’t want to do what their predecessors did decades ago, like dumping it into the water supply, putting it into landfills, digging a hole to set it in, or even pawning it off to other countries to deal with. Organisations know that this isn’t going to work, and it causes so much harm, not just to the environment but to communities, too.
Thanks to this global shift in sustainability and finally focusing on bettering the planet, there has been more innovation. In fact, there are even waste companies and various waste management professionals who are outright trying to help lower waste and reuse waste for other purposes (so it will no longer be waste). In fact, there are even businesses that focus on oil waste collection, if that gives you an idea of how serious this operation is. But when it comes to your business, what type of waste management professionals would be needed? Well, here are a few essential ones that you should definitely know!
Waste Management Consultant
Cue The Sopranos joke, but in all honestly, hiring a waste management consultant could actually be very helpful. But how, better yet, why? Well, you have to keep in mind that waste management consultants are experts in assessing, planning, and implementing waste management strategies tailored to businesses’ specific needs. No, what’s shown in The Sopranos isn’t exactly how it works (not that it ever shows Tony doing that in the first place).
So, their work entails conducting audits to analyse current waste generation and disposal practices, identify areas for improvement, and develop comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs. Another thing to note is that these expert consultants also stay updated on environmental regulations, helping businesses remain compliant while minimising their environmental footprint.You can hire them in-house or even just hire one from an environmental-based firm; it’s up to you.
Environmental Engineers
They are all about designing and implementing solutions to environmental challenges, including waste management. They go beyond what waste management consultants do because they leverage their expertise in engineering principles, chemistry, and biology to develop innovative waste treatment technologies, design sustainable waste disposal facilities, and optimise waste collection and transportation systems. Is this a critical role?
Yes, by all means, it is, as they are helping businesses adopt eco-friendly practices and mitigate environmental risks associated with waste disposal.
Waste Management Software Providers
Well, technically, it’s the waste management software itself, but technically, the providers of these are pretty important, too. So, basically, waste management software providers offer advanced software solutions to streamline waste tracking, reporting, and compliance management.
Again, it’s technically the software, but this article is about the professionals, so they deserve some attention, too! Their software platforms enable businesses to digitize waste management processes, track waste generation in real time, generate comprehensive reports on waste metrics, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Disposal Contractors
This professional is also known as a “waste hauler,” but when it comes to this profession, you can absolutely count on their job to be just as important as some of the others listed here. Their work is all about collecting, transporting, and disposing of businesses’ waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. They don’t just put it into a landfill, throw it into the water, or basically anywhere that’s going to cause environmental impact.
A lot of these haulers work closely with other companies, and they try to recycle and reuse anything possible. On top of that, depending on the business, some of these professionals offer a range of services, including curbside pickup, dumpster rental, hazardous waste disposal, and landfill management. The scale of this business really just depends. But before hiring one, just make sure they properly dispose of the waste or check to see if they work with companies that properly dispose of and reuse the waste.
Recycling Coordinators
Now, this is an incredibly important position, especially if you’re adamant about getting every bit of waste recycled. So they’re the ones that usually work closely with haulers to see what can be recycled, but you can also hire them as consultants or as someone who is in-house.