Solving Waste One Step at a Time!
Did you know that the average American produces nearly 500 pounds of trash yearly?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 230 million to 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris are produced annually. This staggering statistic, especially given that it is only a fraction of the waste produced, highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices.
The implications of failing to manage waste are significant. Overflowing landfills, depletion of valuable resources, and the release of harmful pollutants into the environment are among the challenges we face.
Here is a look at how the waste is divided up in the United States:
Sustainability is easy in theory, but how can you incorporate these practices in your day-to-day routine?
Ways to incorporate sustainability practices:
Employee education: Fostering a culture of sustainability in the workplace can create habits that transcend beyond the workplace while also exemplifing corporate social responsibilty.
Sustainability Partnerships: Sharing resources in an effort to drive innovation.
Waste audits: Regular waste audits help identify areas where waste management practices can be improved.
With sustainability, the most important step is to start. It’s time for businesses and individuals to unite to reduce waste, make more sustainable choices, and preserve our planet for future generations.
Resources:
To learn more about what constitutes as waste so that you can better understand how to create sustainable practices, click here: https://wastewiseglobal.com/what-constitutes-as-waste/
Click here to learn more about corporate social responsibility: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/sustainable-business-practices
Click here to learn more about sustainability partnerships: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevitasek/2024/02/15/sustainability-partnerships-what-they-are-why-they-matter-and-how-they-work/
References:
Park W-J, Kim R, Roh S, Ban H. Identifying the Major Construction Wastes in the Building Construction Phase Based on Life Cycle Assessments. Sustainability. 2020; 12(19):8096. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198096