How to Select a Waste Provider and Maintain a Relationship with Them

Choosing a Waste Provider for Your Business

This blog post guides businesses through the process of selecting and maintaining a relationship with a waste provider. It covers assessing waste needs, choosing a provider, and fostering a productive ongoing relationship.

Understanding Your Waste Needs

If you're starting a new business, expanding to a different location, or looking for a new waste provider, understanding your waste needs is crucial. Conduct a waste audit to identify your most common materials. Generally, the best options include a landfill bin, recycling streams, and an organics bin. Separate as much as possible.

Choosing the Right Provider

Once you understand your waste streams, research providers in your area. Determine what materials they accept and don't accept. Discuss your specific requirements; they may offer solutions or alternatives. Since diverting from landfills is a priority, trust is essential. Read reviews to assess transparency.

Asking the Right Questions

Learn more about potential providers by asking questions such as:

• How do they process your waste (e.g., waste sorting facilities, incineration, landfill)?

• If they collect recycling, is it processed onshore or sent overseas?

• Does the waste generate any energy?

• Do you offer organics waste services, and if so, how is that processed?

• What other services (education, zero waste consulting, specialty recycling streams) do they offer?

• What streams are most commonly used by other customers?

There aren't any right or wrong answers, but alignment with your organizational values is key.

Building a Dependable Relationship

As with any business relationship, ensure your provider is dependable: on-time collection, excellent customer service, competitive rates, and reporting. Dependability is mutual; understand and meet their environmental requirements to reduce contamination. Designate a point of contact for ongoing communication. Waste management systems change, so having a contact person facilitates adapting to changes and suggesting improvements. Ask if your provider offers updates; if not, suggest they start.

Maintaining a Successful Partnership

Sticking with an unsuitable provider harms both businesses. If better options with more streams appear, explore them, especially if your workplace goals involve high diversion rates. Before changing providers, explain your reasons; they might accommodate your increased needs. Explore recycling alternatives for hard-to-recycle items; specialty recyclers may help. Diverting waste is crucial, but a good relationship based on mutual respect is equally important. Maintaining open communication with your waste provider is vital.