Making the world a cleaner place

In the manufacturing sector, production process management can lead to a massive waste reduction. To be precise, reducing the waste at the source through recycling, and sustainable sourcing can be one of the many solutions. The first solution is waste reduction in the supply chain process attainable when businesses implement lean manufacturing techniques in their system. For cases when waste cannot be reduced, recycling the used material serves as a great alternative solution. Manufacturing companies can establish standard recycling programs for scrap materials, packaging, and other by-products, and added to that, sustainable sourcing of recyclable and biodegradable materials can be used to reduce overall waste production.

The global retail sector produces 2.12 billion tons of waste yearly significantly contributing to land degradation, water pollution, and disruption of the eco-system. The improvement of supply chain sustainability and the implementation of an efficient recycling system are the best solutions to minimize the environmental impact of this industry. The retail sector should emphasize more on sustainability packaging made with minimal, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging materials to reduce the use of plastic. Another solution can be the implementation of product take-back programs which essentially means encouraging customers to return used products for recycling or proper disposal purposes, promoting the circular economy. Big companies such as Uniqlo offer such programs to save cost on raw materials which creates a greater impact on the environment. Likewise, fast fashion has been a big contributor to the over-production of clothing items globally as clothes are made in large bulks and discarded as quickly as they were made. Hence, efficient inventory systems are required to reduce overstock and waste from unsold products. Added to this, the industry can prioritize improving supplier partnerships through the development of sustainable and waste-reducing practices throughout the supply chain.

Waste produced in the healthcare field can be toxic and filled with radioactive components. Medical equipment such as needles and syringes which are used over 16 billion times a year needs to be discarded properly. To prevent the unintentional release of chemical hazards into the environment, waste management is extremely important. If waste is not properly managed in the healthcare industry it can be infectious and affect both our health and the environment. The way forward to minimize waste mismanagement is starting with reducing waste and then developing strategies to properly allocate resources and handle the disposal of waste.

The education sector has a significant potential to accelerate proper waste management by promoting sustainability initiatives and reduction of waste in educational institutions. Perhaps the most impactful solution would be to conduct awareness campaigns by educating students and the staff on waste reduction practices and the importance, and of sustainability. Utilizing digital resources to reduce any sort of waste can foster a sustainable environment. Likewise, implementing recycling programs such as setting up recycling bins across campuses for paper, plastics, and electronics and introducing composting programs for organic waste from cafeterias and landscaping activities can be other solutions.