They say waste management is the process involved in managing waste from cradle to grave. It is also a necessary and unavoidable cost of doing business. After all, companies produce waste daily, which needs to be removed quickly so that it doesn’t take over office space and outdoor areas. However, many companies aren’t aware that they are paying too much for waste management, whether because of inefficient waste collection schedules, hidden fees in service contracts, a lack of recycling initiatives, or a host of additional inefficiencies somewhere in the middle.

Many businesses may assume there is no way around these and other issues, but we politely disagree. Fortunately, there are strategies to reduce waste removal costs and improve your profits and bottom line.

Here are our top 8 tips to reduce your company’s waste management costs.

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8 Tips To Reduce Waste Management Costs

Recycling benefits our environment AND our economy. But as much as we all believe that, the reality is that not enough of us are putting those thoughts into action. One recent survey found that 94% of Americans support recycling, but only 35% do it. The result is increased contamination and more recyclables entering the ocean, our landfills, streets, and more. Waste management is there to ensure none of this gets out of hand. That said, why is your current contract so expensive? What can you do about it?

With a bit of forethought, you can make a significant dent in how much your company spends annually on waste management costs without pulling back on your recycling initiative and goals.

1. Understand the contract

If you have a waste removal contract with a vendor, thoroughly review it so that you and your team fully understand the contract terms. Can costs go up every year? Are there fuel surcharges and container rental fees that are capped, or do they often fluctuate at an increasing rate? Does the contract auto-renew, or is there an opportunity to renegotiate terms before resigning?

2. Consolidate into one provider

If your business has multiple locations, look at a single, centralized contract with one waste removal company instead of many individual, local companies. Moving to a single provider for waste management can save money and be far more efficient than managing numerous relationships. Do the math and see if it works for your situation. Conversely, if you are a single location business, working with a local provider instead of a large, national company, may save you money. Review invoices. Check that charges are accurate, as outlined in your contract. Keep an eye out for any over-billing and non-contractual surcharges and increases.

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3. Ongoing comparisons

Regularly get quotes from other companies. This doesn’t mean you have to cheat on your current vendor, especially if you love them. That said, looking around is smart business—especially if you are unnecessarily overspending. Awareness of current market rates is important to be sure that you are not being overcharged and paying too much. If your current company keeps raising your prices and won’t match current rates, switching your waste removal company may be time.

4. Re-evaluate schedule and container needs

Look at your current waste schedule and container sizes. Can any adjustments be made to fit your needs better? In other words, are your number of trash pickups and container sizes in line with how much waste your business produces?

5. Find the hidden costs

Unfortunately, some waste removal companies have hidden fees that customers don’t notice or assume are non-negotiable. For instance, are you being charged for having a lock on your container? Are any costs the waste management company incurs for doing business in your area being passed on to you as fees? These are essential to snuff out and eliminate, either through renegotiating with your current vendor or switching to someone else and avoiding those hidden fees altogether.

6. Purchase a trash compactor

Compacting trash will reduce the number of pickups and/or the number of containers required for waste management. This makes their job easier. It also makes your job easier as you navigate more inventive ways to increase your recycling rate.

7. Work with a waste management consultant

They will audit your waste costs to see if you are paying too much for waste removal. They will customize a waste management plan that fits your needs. By cutting unneeded services, negotiating contracts and pricing, monitoring efficiency, and initiating recycling programs that pay you back for your waste, a waste management consultant can help save money.

Setting up a Recycling Program is our best tip for reducing waste management costs

8. Recycling eligible materials

Depending on the volume and type of recyclable material you have, there may not be a charge for disposal. With a proper commercial recycling program, you may even earn a few dollars. In other instances, there could be a nominal transportation or handling fee for items such as glass, plastic, and kitchen waste.

In addition, recycling helps the environment, reduces quantities going to landfills, and improves your company’s public profile for being eco-friendly. By educating your employees to use designated recycling bins and setting up a recycling program with an established recycling company, your company can potentially save money on waste management. For example, Texas Instruments recycles 81% of non-hazardous solid waste in its operation in the United States. This saves them a minimum of 10% every quarter or $16 million.

By following these tips and evaluating your current waste removal program, including who you are working with and doing a deep dive into hidden fees, reducing waste removal costs is possible. With time, research, and recycling, you can save your company money and stop paying too much for waste management services.

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