In large business settings, waste is inevitable, but there is an opportunity to control the amount of waste you produce and stay environmentally friendly. Smart grocery store waste management is the place to start.
Minimize Your Store’s Food Waste and Packaging
A zero-waste supermarket that encourages shoppers to reduce their carbon footprint is very achievable. It’s imperative to do what you say others should do. All markets produce paper and container waste. However, wherever possible, you can try to cut certain high-volume waste products on both the producer and shopper sides.
Review your store’s waste tendencies to see where you can make changes. Use reusable containers to avoid the emissions that come from producing and disposing of packaging. If your suppliers can’t reuse containers, reuse packaging in-house where possible.
Reduce Waste by Composting
Among its many benefits, composting is a great way to reduce methane production in landfills and restore soil contaminated by hazardous waste. Consider placing compost bins in your store where shoppers can put food scraps. This will limit the amount of waste going to landfill and redirect it to gardens and soil companies for fertilizer. Local haulers can provide compost bins, so you don’t have to manage that process yourself.
Surplus food can also be donated to a local food bank. If you have extra perishables, you can use them (unexpired, of course!) at your deli counter or in prepared foods.
Buy From Zero-Waste Suppliers
Many food distributors ship food in external packaging, such as cardboard boxes or Styrofoam, which is yet another source of waste. To create a zero-waste environment, you need to order from suppliers who practise zero waste. Be sure to choose suppliers that provide reusable shipping containers instead of boxes triple-wrapped in Styrofoam.
Create Incentives for Reusable Shopping and Produce Bags
Increasing awareness can be easy when you create the right advertising. Incentive programs and signs throughout your store can help persuade shoppers to bring their own bags and reduce plastic bag use.
Increase In-Store Zero-Waste Advertising
In-store guides with tips on how to reduce waste can also help with grocery store recycling and trash. Reducing waste should be a joint effort between the store and its shoppers, and in-store advertising helps make that happen.
Simple ads at checkout or right beside certain items can help persuade shoppers to choose the more environmentally friendly option.
Let AC Waste Help
In a grocery store, trash is bound to accumulate. AC Waste makes grocery store waste management simple with convenient, sustainable compactors and bins to help you control your waste output and carbon footprint. Speak to one of our team members to learn more about how we can help you reduce your waste.
About The Author
Nic Ahola is the Director of Operations for AC Waste Services over the past 10+ years. With multiple years of experience in the industry Nic’s wealth of knowledge to discuss key industry topics is never-ending.
He works directly with businesses to implement waste management systems that are convenient to a business’s operations while reducing the unnecessary costs and common problems associated with waste.