Transforming Waste into Revenue: Opportunities in Recycling

Certified Waste Solutions

According to the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 Report, the total direct and indirect costs of negligent waste management in 2020 reached a staggering $361 billion.  It is important to note that these “indirect” costs of waste management, e.g., pollution and climate change, are in fact a direct cost to society, human health, and the environment.  Businesses, such as yours, have a huge influence on these numbers, and paying attention to your own spending is the perfect place to start. Not only does it benefit your financial performance, but it can bring about opportunities to adopt sustainable practices and build a strong, positive reputation.  

If you're a business owner, waste fees and inefficient management could quietly be eating into your profits—expenses that can be reduced with the right strategies and smart waste solutions. This guide will lead you through actionable steps to cut waste spending, save money, and contribute to a healthier planet.  

Why You Should Pay Attention to Waste Spending  

Waste isn’t merely a byproduct of business—it’s an untapped resource. When we blindly discard and allow valuable materials to end up in landfills, we promote inefficient waste management practices that lead to billions of dollars in annual losses. Imagine instead, those materials being viewed as resources capable of creating new revenue opportunities for your business. 

Sustainability is imperative and treating it as a buzzword is a disservice. Beyond the environmental benefits, recycling and effective waste management are proving to be smart financial decisions for businesses across industries. Willing to rethink waste? Continue reading to discover how recycling goes beyond eco-friendliness and see how it can be an avenue for innovation and profit. 

This blog will explore why waste management matters, share real-life examples of businesses turning trash into cash, and lay out actionable steps to help you transform waste into valuable assets for your company.  

Why Waste Management Matters for Businesses  

For many businesses, waste can be both a hidden expense and a missed opportunity. The cost of disposal can add up quickly, eating into profit margins while contributing to environmental degradation. Additionally, when valuable materials like metals, plastics, or electronics are discarded without thought, the likelihood of these resources being recovered is slim.  

However, the narrative around waste is changing. By adopting recycling solutions, businesses not only save on disposal costs but can also reclaim valuable resources that can be repurposed or sold. This dual benefit is driving companies of all sizes to rethink their approach to waste.  

Consumer expectations are another factor businesses can’t afford to ignore. Today’s customers increasingly demand sustainable practices from the brands they support. Regulatory pressures are also mounting, with governments incentivizing responsible waste management through policies and penalties. Implementing recycling practices isn’t just a goodwill gesture; it’s a competitive necessity and should be approached as such.  

Examples of Turning Waste into Revenue  

Metals produced with defects, are at their end of use phase, and/or are generated as a byproduct during manufacturing are often called scrap. This scrap metal has value, value that your business can turn into revenue.

For example, rebar, a ferrous metal commonly used in construction, may need to be removed when rebuilding, modifying a structure, or become bent upon installation. This being an iron-based material, can accumulate weight very quickly. When recycling instead of landfilling, you earn money for the material's weight rather than paying to dispose of it. A construction company separated this material from their landfill bins and received an offer from a nearby recycling company to purchase it at a rate in dollars per ton. This approach not only eliminated disposal costs but also generated profits that could be reinvested into their business.   

Converting Organic Waste  

According to the EPA, an estimated 60% of all food waste ends up in landfills, which is upwards of 80 million tons when you include food and beverage manufacturing and processing sectors.  Common alternatives to landfilling include using it for animal feed, biochemical processing, anaerobic digestion, and composting. Companies can opt to send their food scraps and/or various organics to local farms, composting facilities, and/or facilities with digesters. Through these pathways, the costs and impacts of landfilling can be displaced and usable products can be created as materials are converted into energy/fuel or nutrient rich fertilizer. 

Creative Repurposing (Upcycling)  

Retail and e-commerce businesses are embracing upcycling by transforming unwanted and/or used materials into new, desirable products. One platform you can find a lot of upcycled examples on is Etsy. Additionally, there are several brand names that are taking PET bottles or leftover fabrics and using them to produce shoes, clothing, bags, rags, decor, etc. Taking something that once was and giving it a new life as something else not only supports sustainability, but also helps businesses stand out in competitive markets.

Practical Steps to Start Benefiting from Recycling  

If recycling sounds like an opportunity worth exploring for your business, here’s how to begin the transformation process step by step.  

Audit Your Waste Stream  

A waste audit helps businesses identify recyclable or reusable materials in their waste stream, uncovering hidden revenue opportunities. By tracking types and quantities of waste over time, patterns can reveal valuable items for recycling or resale. 

Partner with Recycling Solutions Experts  

Businesses can simplify waste management by partnering with recycling experts who not only offer tailored solutions but just as importantly, have a deep understanding of the intrinsic value of different materials. There are companies that can accept an array of materials and then there are more specialized firms that will only handle specific types of material streams, like electronics or organics. 

Invest in Technology for Recycling Efficiency  

Efficient recycling requires efficient tools. Investing in equipment like compactors, balers, or conveyors, will help streamline your recycling processes and improve profitability. While some shy away from considering equipment because the initial investment may seem high, it is worth noting there are special financing, leasing, and rental options for much of today’s equipment. Having the right partner in your waste management endeavor will be key to helping identify what equipment makes sense for your business and calculating your ROI. 

Market Your Sustainability Efforts  

Recycling isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a marketing opportunity. Eco-conscious customers value businesses committed to sustainability. Again, finding the right partner is essential here. Having a dependable team that can track, report, and help you promote your recycling and waste management efforts is invaluable. Integrating best practices in combination with transparency not only strengthens client trust and loyalty but also opens the door to new business opportunities. 

Small Changes, Big Impact  

Changing how your business views and manages waste can unlock opportunities you never knew existed. By implementing effective recycling strategies, you’re not only saving costs and discovering new streams of revenue—you’re playing an active role in building a sustainable future.  

Progress happens one step at a time.  Whether it’s being more aware of our upstream and downstream practices, finding a recycling and waste management partner, or repurposing materials into new products. If you’re ready to see your business’s waste as resources, contact CERTIFIED to explore customized recycling strategies tailored to your industry.  

Together, we can make waste a thing of the past—and profitability a part of your future.