Making your business more sustainable is not just good for the planet; it’s good for your bottom line. An effective recycling program can reduce waste disposal costs, generate revenue from recycled materials, and enhance your brand’s reputation. But the success of any recycling initiative hinges on having the right tools for the job. Choosing the appropriate recycling equipment is a critical step that can transform your waste management from a cost center into a value driver.
Before you can choose the right equipment, you need a clear picture of your company’s waste stream. A thorough waste audit is the best place to start. This process involves analyzing the types and quantities of materials your business discards.
Identify Material Types
What are you throwing away? Common commercial waste materials include:
Cardboard: Corrugated boxes from shipping and inventory.
Paper: Office paper, newspapers, and magazines.
Plastics: Bottles, jugs, film, and packaging materials (PET, HDPE).
Metals: Aluminum cans, steel containers, and scrap metal.
Glass: Bottles and jars.
Organic Waste: Food scraps from cafeterias or production.
Each material has unique properties and requires specific handling. For example, bulky cardboard boxes need a different solution than dense plastic containers.
Measure Volume and Frequency
Once you know what you’re recycling, you need to determine how much. Ask yourself these questions:
How much of each material do you generate daily, weekly, or monthly?
Is the generation steady, or does it fluctuate with seasonal demand?
Where does the waste accumulate? Is it in one central location or spread across multiple points in your facility?
Answering these questions will help you determine the necessary capacity and placement of your equipment. A small retail store generating a few bags of cardboard a day has vastly different needs than a large distribution center processing several tons of it.
Choosing recycling equipment is a significant investment, and you don’t have to make the decision alone. The most reputable equipment suppliers act as consultants. They can perform a free waste audit, analyze your needs, and recommend the right solutions. By partnering with an experienced supplier, you can be confident that you are selecting equipment that will not only meet your needs today but also support your business’s growth and sustainability goals for years to come. Investing in the right recycling machinery is a powerful step toward a more efficient, profitable, and environmentally responsible operation.
At Viking Logistics LLC, we are standing by to sell and deliver modern recycling equipment for property owners in Buffalo, Batavia, Jamestown, Amherst, Lockport, Rochester, Niagara Falls, NY; and Erie, PA.
Contact us today to learn more about our selection of recycling equipment or place an order!