Waste management is an increasingly important topic in organizations, both from an environmental and economic point of view. In addition, this work is strongly related to the company's image before investors and consumers.

In this article we will address five essential practices to optimize processes and reduce waste generation. Check it out:

1. Classify the waste generated;
2. Analyze environmental legislation;
3. Implement recycling and reuse methods;
4. Optimize processes to reduce waste generation;
5. Choose suitable suppliers.

1. Classify the waste generated

The first step to good waste management is to identify and classify them according to their characteristics and particularities:

Solid waste

They are those that are no longer of use to the company and need to be discarded. They can be divided into:

• organic: derived from materials of biological origin, such as food scraps, leaves and grass, these wastes are compostable and, when properly treated, can be transformed into organic fertilizer and used to fertilize the soil;
• inorganic: those that are not derived from biological materials, such as plastics, metals, and glass, which can take decades or even centuries to decompose in nature.

Liquid waste

They are those that have a predominant liquid phase and can be divided into:

• industrial effluents: wastewater generated by industrial activities and which may contain toxic substances, heavy metals, chemicals and other pollutants harmful to human health and the environment;
• washing waters: they result from the cleaning of surfaces, equipment, utensils and facilities in general, and may contain detergents, chemicals, dirt and other contaminating substances;
• rainwater: rainwater that can become polluted if it comes into contact with chemical substances or toxic materials present on urban surfaces.

Gaseous waste

Generated by the burning of fuels and industrial activity, these wastes can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Among them, we can mention:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2);
• Carbon monoxide (CO);
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2);
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx);
• Methane (CH4).

2. Analyze environmental legislation

Another essential practice for waste management is to analyze current environmental legislation and verify what measures need to be taken to avoid possible sanctions and fines. Among the main Brazilian legal provisions related to the topic, we highlight the following:

• Resolution No. 430/2011 of the National Environmental Council (CONAMA), which establishes quality standards for the release of effluents into water bodies;
• National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), which establishes guidelines for integrated management and solid waste management, including shared responsibility between government, companies, and the population;
• National Water Resources Policy (PNRH), which establishes guidelines and instruments for the management of water resources in the country;
• Environmental Crimes Act (Law No. 9,605/98), which defines crimes against the environment and their penalties.

3. Implement recycling and reuse methods

The implementation of recycling and reuse methods contributes to the preservation of the environment and can also generate savings for organizations, reducing the need to purchase raw materials and the disposal of waste. These practices are related to the concepts of circular economy and reverse logistics.

Recycling consists of the transformation of waste into new products or raw materials, while reuse refers to the reuse of waste in other production processes.

Water reuse, for example, saves drinking water and minimizes environmental impacts resulting from the collection and disposal of water resources.

4. Optimize processes to reduce waste generation

Production processes can be optimized by adopting measures aimed at energy efficiency and waste reduction. In the specific case of wastewater treatment, the application of more efficient and less polluting technologies can significantly reduce environmental impact.

In addition, employee awareness is essential. It is necessary to encourage practices such as the separation of waste, the reduction of energy and water consumption, and the use of less polluting materials.

5. Choose suitable suppliers

Finally, choosing suitable suppliers is essential for waste management. Your business partners need to be aligned with good environmental practices and implement appropriate measures in their own operations, so it's important to establish selection criteria. Check that the vendor:

• has recognized environmental certifications that attest to the company's commitment to environmental management;
• has a clear and well-defined environmental policy;
• adopts natural resource conservation practices, such as reducing water and energy consumption;
• is transparent about its environmental practices, sharing information about its environmental performance and disclosing sustainability reports.

These criteria have also been used by investors to direct resources to sustainable ventures. To learn more about this, check out our article on the ESG concept and how to implement it.