Sustaining Small business through waste reduction
In 2023, with the help of a generous grant, WasteCap will be piloting a community program to provide six free waste reduction workshops and online resources to support our local small businesses. We aim to engage an initial cohort of 10 local community businesses and restaurants in low-income neighborhoods throughout Milwaukee, with priority given to serving BIPOC-owned businesses.
By focusing on waste reduction issues, this program aims to to increase access and reduce existing cost barriers to sustainable operations education and resources to build a diverse, equitable movement for waste reduction across Milwaukee’s small business community; to improve the health of local communities by decreasing environmental pollution and reducing waste; and to raise community awareness of local waste reduction policy issues and efforts in the City of Milwaukee.
By focusing on waste reduction issues, this program aims to to increase access and reduce existing cost barriers to sustainable operations education and resources to build a diverse, equitable movement for waste reduction across Milwaukee’s small business community; to improve the health of local communities by decreasing environmental pollution and reducing waste; and to raise community awareness of local waste reduction policy issues and efforts in the City of Milwaukee.
Waste reduction benefits for small businesses
Waste reduction strategies have incredible benefits for businesses of all types and sizes to improve bottom lines and support long-term growth, while also strengthening local communities & environments.
Reducing costs through reducing waste
Waste prevention and reduction strategies can help save money at every level of operations from
reducing purchasing to processing, hauling, and disposal costs. Small businesses around the country
and across industries have reaped big savings benefits:
reducing purchasing to processing, hauling, and disposal costs. Small businesses around the country
and across industries have reaped big savings benefits:
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“The Herald Review/Itasca
Shopper in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, saved BIG by reducing waste, landfill disposal fees, and purchasing costs, including: -$18,000 less in hauling & disposal expenses -$2,600 saved by reusing ink -$900 saved by reusing toner cartridges, -and more, at no extra cost!” |
“Prestige Cleaners of
Scottsdale, Arizona reduced hazardous waste & saved through reuse. To encourage their customers to reduce waste, the company provides reusable garment bags and offer an economic incentive for them to return hangers. The hanger reuse program saves the company an estimated $18,000 per year.” |
“A review of 114 restaurants of
all sizes across 12 countries found that nearly every site achieved a positive return, with the average restaurant saving $7 for every $1 invested in reducing kitchen food waste.” |
Customer & Brand loyalty
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Employee safety & retention
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Environmental health
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An online survey found that 81
percent of customers across generations strongly believed that companies should be helping to improve the environment. 68% of U.S. consumers say a company’s social responsibility reputation influences their purchasing decisions. |
Businesses that took
sustainable actions and involved their employees in these initiatives increased employee satisfaction, retention, motivation, and productivity. 83% of employees are more loyal to environmentally responsible companies. |
Small business sustainability
initiatives can have a positive impact by reducing waste and pollution in their own communities. Small businesses make up 99.9% of U.S. businesses & also have a global impact on our planet’s future. |
Program Partners
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