Is your business waste efficient?

According to global statistics, our world has a sobering waste problem. We are set to hit 34 billion tonnes of waste by the year 2050. Eight billion tonnes of it has been produced in the last 15 years. This is a problem which should be of concern to every citizen. It is certainly a priority for certified environmental educator and waste consultant Sian Cuffy-Young who has worked in environmental management systems and environmental education for 13 years. She is committed to addressing the issue and helping businesses become more waste efficient.

The more productive a company, the more waste it can produce. Plastics are a good example. “According to Valerie Craig at the Waste Management Sustainability Forum this year, it is undeniable that plastic has changed the world for the better,” illustrates Cuffy-Young, “but it has also created a pollution problem at an unimaginable scale. It is a visible problem that we know is harmful and global but also solvable.”

Highlighting the situation in Trinidad and Tobago, Cuffy-Young reveals “85% of the waste reaching our landfills is recyclable, but only 1% actually gets recycled. The future is rife with opportunity for us as businesses to truly make an impact and manage our waste in a responsible manner.”

Cuffy-Young advocates for waste efficiency for businesses to minimise the quantity of waste leaving the site and choosing the right disposal destinations that have the least environmental impact. “In other words, the less you throw away, the better it is for the environment and your business.”

The value for the business owner is profound. Cuffy-Young stresses the benefits which include saving money, improving a company’s public image and reducing your overall environmental footprint.

For real, impactful and sustainable change to be made, Cuffy-Young declares that a whole change in mindset is essential. “In principle, we must change the way we think and act towards waste completely. Because of the myriad of impacts that it has on our natural environment, we must look at moving from a linear economy to a circular one where one’s waste becomes the input for someone else’s process.”

To find out more, contact Cuffy-Young at sian.young@sielenvironmental.com or call 1-868-381-9937. You can search for @sieltt on Facebook.