While landfill may be the easiest and cheapest waste disposal method for companies of any size, its negative impact cannot be understated. In the UK alone, landfill accounted for 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022.

Waste disposal and management is rarely a priority for companies, who on average only recycle 54% of their waste, but it holds immense potential for innovation and is essential for meeting global Net Zero targets. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation asserts that improving circularity could reduce global GHG emissions by 45%, a substantial contribution toward the 2050 emissions targets. If companies collectively want to decarbonise up to 2.8 billion tonnes, treating waste as a resource, rather than something to discard, is pivotal.

Both consumers and businesses, from startups to large corporations, need education on the integral role waste management plays in sustainability. If enough corporations understood that effective recycling and recovery of materials is a key pillar of carbon emission reduction, it could mean that governments would start to pay attention to recycling infrastructure – and in turn, we would see a significant reduction in carbon emissions. While poor recycling practices may not seem like the most pressing environmental issue compared to extreme weather (and is often overlooked as a topic), it’s an important problem that has to be tackled, and for which there are actionable solutions.

That’s where Resourcify comes in. Startups, particularly in the green tech sector, are at the forefront of developing these solutions. At Resourcify, we were driven to create a platform for businesses to optimise and digitise their waste management operations. We’re motivated by the idea of a Zero Waste future, and want to bring the circular economy – a system that optimises use of resources and minimises waste – to life across the business world.

Startups can face challenges when collaborating with large corporations – but they don’t often have to explain their offering to said corporations first. Education about the circular economy and the importance of effective waste management is still thin on the ground, so a number of people are unaware of the impact that effective waste management can have on our environment. What’s more, they’re unaware of the role that digitisation plays in building more sustainable waste management practices for organisations. Bringing the waste management sector, which is primarily analogue, online can transform operations, meaning that corporations can understand their waste for the first time. With increased visibility of the materials in their waste through a digital platform like ours, businesses can streamline their waste management and make it more sustainable. Resourcify’s solution isn’t just about putting the right item in the right bin - it’s about how companies manage their waste, and what in their waste can be reused. We believe that every material matters, and that waste should be viewed as a resource.

These corporations are also frequently either unaware of innovative solutions within the startup sector or do not see the incentive to integrate climate solutions. The cheapest option remains landfill disposal – which is equivalent to environmental neglect. It’s up to startups, particularly in climate tech, to demonstrate the business case for waste management, emphasizing the urgency of the problem and viable solutions. With an offering like ours, digitising waste management isn’t just introducing sustainability, but it’s improving operational efficiency and allowing companies to identify areas where they can save money. It’s a true business advantage rather than a drain on their money and resources. Large organisations may need more convincing, but the change they can create is tangible, even influencing potential government involvement. It can be difficult, but it’s worth the while.

One compelling reason for incorporating waste management into corporate sustainability initiatives is the increasingly pertinent need for ESG reporting. While primarily applicable to multi-national corporations, ESG reporting is also relevant for startups, particularly those developing innovative climate solutions, to prove their worth.

For startups, ESG reporting can seem daunting at first – but regulation is not to be feared. Increased regulation is actually levelling the playing field, allowing smaller companies to be rewarded for meeting climate targets and quotas and for recycling as a waste disposal method to be an affordable option. Without regulation, there would be no incentive to recycle; they can feel drastic in the short term, but long term they’re beneficial for business. Effective waste management is a key strategy to meet these quotas and is accessible to businesses at any stage.

Startups have an edge over larger businesses when they leverage technology to enhance sustainability and increase the ratio of materials that can re-enter the production cycle. In contrast, established manufacturing and retail giants need to overhaul decades-old processes to become sustainable. Moreover, startups can implement sustainable practices right from the beginning, learning from the mistakes of larger companies and adopting digital processes early on.

Although Resourcify was developed with large companies in mind, there is nothing preventing startups from adopting a solution like ours. In fact, it’s vital for startups to commit to sustainability initiatives early, laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.

The act of incorporating circularity into a business model is possible for companies of all sizes, but it starts with education. Learning about the basics of a circular economy, or speaking to circularity experts, can help founders assess what’s most important to include in their strategies. Research and self-assessment are also necessary steps, so founders can decide what is realistic and attainable for the business, and what the right price for sustainability is.

Waste management and circularity are not just sustainability buzzwords, nor are they trivial conversations about bins. They are integral to any business’ sustainability strategy and to our global sustainability efforts. For companies, addressing waste management is about creating sustainable business models, not merely meeting compliance and reporting requirements. Startups have a unique opportunity to lead in this space, leveraging technology to make a significant environmental impact. In short: don’t trash-talk waste management. It could be your business’ environmental secret weapon.