Reduce Landfills Increase Recycling
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010When it comes to helping our planet and the environment, most of us know that recycling is one of the best things we can do. But will the remedy for our waste problems in America come about through recycling alone? The answer is a simple “no”. There are many reasons why recycling alone will not be able to resolve all our waste problems. Producers and manufacturers have an obligation to their customers and the world to absolutely ensure their products are being recycled by doing things such as partnering and working in concert with waste management institutions. This is the only way real change will take effect to the degree that our planet’s environmental waste crisis demands it. We have to tackle waste problems at their source and so it is the corporations that produce the products that must play the biggest role in reducing the waste problems in our country and our world.
The Texas Campaign For The Environment (TCE), a non-profit, has recently brought this issue to center stage. Corporations must take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products according to TCE. TCE believes we must eliminate waste beginning with the source (the producer), and that this requires a complete renovation of the current system of “produce it, consume it, toss it out”. This is completely logical if you really think about it. The current system, for the most part, leaves the responsibility for recycling in the hands of consumers and basically gives manufacturers a free pass. Of course, since producers can’t force their customers to recycle, you would think consumers would always be ultimately responsible. But with the recent momentum of “producer take-back” programs that are mandated by environmental laws and pushed by “Zero Waste” proponents, things are really changing. “Producer take-back” laws already exist in some areas and with certain industries and products, and they require producers to work with waste management companies and government agencies to ensure products are recycled after consumption. This approach may make the most sense when it comes to ensuring long-term remedies for reducing the harmful effects of landfills on the environment.
TCE is also not waiting for “producer take-back laws” to become more widespread. They are doing everything they can right now to be a great asset for consumers irrespective of what manufacturers are doing. No matter what you’re trying to recycle, TCE funded TexasTakeBack.org is an outstanding resource for information on recycling all kinds of products from paper to household chemicals to batteries. It is always refreshing to see a non-profit group like TCE working so courageously to solve our country’s waste management problems, and it really shines the light on “for profit” corporations and helps to encourage them to finally go green.
What is your organization doing to step up to the plate when it comes to the recycling of the products you manufacture? As Bob Dylan said “Oh the times they are changing”, and now is more important than ever for your organization to be a leader in the Green Revolution, especially from a public relations point of view. As BP learned (the hard way), you cannot wait until you’re right in the middle of an environmental crisis to start on your journey as a green company. It just doesn’t’ work that way. There is no retreating from this issue. Taking action and going green in all phases of your company and doing everything in your power to protect the environment must begin right now.
Your brand name is at stake in this era of environmental disasters, the public will grow increasingly impatient with companies that are not doing everything they can to help heal this planet. The question of “how” and “where” your products can be recycled is something that should be easily answered by your customers as a result of the resources and tools your provide for them. Ask for feedback from your customers, blog about it and show the world you are actively working towards a solution to making sure all your products are recycled.
You can even go beyond your own products and remember to consider eco friendly supplies like sustainable pens and lanyards and eco promotional items like custom promotional bags for trade shows and job fairs or eco friendly shopping bags for your retail customers. This soft marketing tactic will definitely help show the world your commitment to go green. These kinds of products are truly eco friendly and will not harm the eco system if wasted. Center your community service events around the idea of doing things to help the environment like planting trees or picking up trash in the community on a reoccurring basis.
To help ensure the health of our planet for future generations, these types of efforts by companies and organizations are necessary and should be embraced. Consumer eco consciousness is at an all-time high due to so many recent environmental disasters, which means you can’t afford complacency. Take a lesson from TCE by going green now, and exemplify true leadership in your industry, no matter the state of the economy.
Albert Jefferson is a highly experienced author conversing about green and sustainability dilemmas and spreading the idea to companies to give out eco reusable shopping bags to promote both their trade name and support for the environment.