Recycling Works for Businesses
Recycling works by eliminating waste and increasing the value added, keeping your employees engaged and loyal, and bringing more customers to your business.
Recycling creates jobs, saves money, & conserves resources
Between 2013 and 2015, Texas saw increases in the statewide recycling rate and in jobs related to recycling activities that had an overall economic impact in excess of $3.3 billion (Burns & McDonnell, 2017).
| Economic Impact of Recycling in Texas |
| |
2013
(Burns & McDonnell, 2015) |
2015
(Burns & McDonnell, 2017) |
∆ |
| Recycling Rate |
18.9% |
22.7% |
3.8% |
| Jobs |
12,678 |
17,037 |
34% |
Recycling practices drive the circular economy. Recycled materials are used in the manufacturing and consumption of products rather than going to waste in a landfill.
Businesses can help make recyclables more valuable by choosing products made from recycled materials over those sourced from natural materials and by finding new and innovative ways to reuse materials that can be recycled. A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses to find value in their waste “and make changes to their processes to take greater advantage of cost savings and new profit streams” (Bowdish, 2016).
Adopting this circular model of recycling materials rather than using natural resources will improve the economy and make businesses more sustainable and resilient.
Recycling helps to attract and keep employees
Businesses are always looking for ways to attract and retain talent. Recycling can help.
As early as 2011, more than half of businesses were integrating sustainability efforts into their culture, messaging, and values (McKinsey&Company, 2011). Now, the majority of young people entering the workforce want to improve the environment, but feel they cannot do it alone. They feel more empowered when working toward sustainability at work. 76% of millennials believe business can drive positive social impact (Deloitte, 2017). Recycling helps employees stay and have a greater positive impact on your business.
Creating an employee led recycling program that provides employees the opportunity to be engaged in something they care about at work will help keep them engaged day to day (Makower, 2014). These “Green Teams” afford employees a chance to gain new skills and influence in your organization while emphasizing teamwork and collaboration.
Recycling is important to San Antonio
88% of consumers surveyed in a 2010 study agreed that companies should practice corporate responsibility with regard to improving “society and the environment” (DoWellDoGood LLC, 2010). Today those sentiments still exist (Deloitte, 2017).
One of the most visible ways for businesses to communicate their commitment to sustainability is for businesses to offer recycling onsite, but only a fraction of businesses in San Antonio currently have recycling programs.
Research shows that overall San Antonio residents value a company’s environmental record when purchasing products and services (Esri, 2017). More than half of San Antonians have used or purchased recycled products in the past year and will pay more for environmentally safe products.