What is zero waste

Zero waste has become a common topic of conversation for businesses in recent years, and sustainability objectives have never been so crucial to meet. It isn’t just businesses becoming more environmentally conscious, it’s consumers too. A recent study conducted by Forbes confirms this, with findings telling us that 88% of consumers asked wanted brands to help them make a difference through their sustainability efforts. So now more than ever, businesses need to be targeting sustainability objectives as a priority, and becoming zero waste is a great way to exceed your consumers expectations.

So, what does zero waste look like?

Well, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any waste in the environment, it focuses on how we use it. It is a concept that looks at how we turn waste into resource, with an end aim of zero resource wastage. This means all items of waste produced must have the ability to be turned into a future usable resource, rather than contributing to landfill, or any other environmental wastage.

This is a concept that is relevant to all sectors, although different sectors will produce different waste types, which need different solutions when it comes to turning items of waste into a valuable resource. An example Reconomy find is a clear difference in construction waste to business waste, which requires different forms of disposal – or reuse on site- to help our clients on their way to a zero-waste target. Businesses are more likely to need to find ways of turning office waste into a valuable resource, which is a different challenge entirely to construction waste.

What is the difference between zero waste and zero waste to landfill?

Firstly, what is zero waste to landfill? Much like the zero-waste concept, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any waste in the environment .

When we say zero waste to landfill, that’s exactly what it means, that no waste can go to landfill. Like the zero-waste concept, although it still means that some waste isn’t turned into a valuable resource and ends up incinerated or contributing negatively to the environment. Zero waste to landfill is a great sustainability objective to start with, however businesses should then target becoming completely zero waste in the future.

How you can start your zero-waste journey 

Your businesses can start aiming towards a zero-waste sustainability objective by working with waste management experts Reconomy. For a good starting point to get a flavour of where you are currently on your journey, and receive some basic hints and tips, look out for our Zerowasteometer tool, launching soon. By working with Reconomy, you can experience our industry leading technology solutions, and even focus on improving your social value efforts.