How to Reduce Scrap Waste

In an age where being green is not only fashionable but practical, scrap waste such as metals, chemicals, plastics, and glass offer new chances to reduce, reuse and recycle. Below are a few ideas that could help any business or individual reduce scrap waste.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose recycled steel for industrial production. By recycling your household appliances, you can add to the amount of recycled steel available for industrial production.

2. Reuse industrial material from buildings undergoing remodeling or destruction. By reusing bricks, foam insulation, aluminum window frames, and steel framing, the amount of scrap waste decreases along with the cost of new construction.

3. Create a compost heap in your garden or office recreation area to recycle food scraps. You also can donate food scraps to an animal feed plant in your area. Food scraps account for almost 12 percent of waste produced in the US each year and is one of the easiest products to recycle.

4. Redesign manufactured products and production to reduce the amount of waste produced in the creation of new products. Engineers and designers have a major role to play in creating sustainable products for the future.

5. Stop drinking bottled water and reduce the plastic waste generated by this product. Use filtering technology on faucets at home or in the office to improve water quality. Purchase other products with little or no packaging.

6. Advocate for the elimination of raw materials subsidies and the promotion of carbon taxes. Reducing profits for businesses that use precious raw materials will force changes in manufacturing practices.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your local solid waste and recycling office to discover recycling or reduction programs utilized by businesses and individuals in your area.