Here are 7 ways to reduce manufacturing waste in South Africa

Implement these 7 smart ways to reduce manufacturing waste and save money. Learn more about waste reduction efforts in South Africa here.

Every manufacturing plant has the responsibility to reduce manufacturing waste. The type of waste products produced by manufacturers includes inventory waste, unnecessary transportation, defects and overproduction. Other causes include delays in production times and over-processing.

Could your company reduce the amount of waste it produces? We discuss 7 ways companies can reduce manufacturing waste in South Africa. The solutions range from effective inventory management to on-site waste management.

1. Effective inventory management

   Your manufacturing plant can reduce manufacturing waste by reducing the amount of raw materials you keep in stock. Only buy what you need for a specific time and you won’t have to throw away as much over a longer period of time.

   You can reduce hazardous products by limiting excess inventory to minimise the amount of waste generated. Think of this as a form of “lean manufacturing” that reduces inventory waste and your contribution to the waste stream.

2. Minimise packaging materials to reduce packaging waste

   Creativity is the key to minimising waste. Reduce your product packaging materials through clever innovations and smart designs. This is a great time to think outside of the box and draw on the creativity of employees. For example, PET plastic bottles (they have the number ‘1’ stamped into the plastic on the bottom) that package dishwashing liquid can and are being recycled. However, the plastic squeeze tubes labeled with the number ‘7’ that package liquid soaps are not recycled. Could the non-recyclable plastic of these products not be better packaged in recyclable plastic?

   Try to use recyclable packaging materials wherever possible and ensure they are recycled in South Africa.

3. Separate waste at source to ensure recyclables aren’t sent to landfill

   Clean recyclables that are not contaminated with non-recyclable waste significantly increase the likelihood that they are recycled. They have more value and don’t get caught up in a stream that ends up in landfill. Our on-site waste management service for manufacturing companies in South Africa can assist with the process. It helps companies effectively separate out the valuable resources for collection, which then can be made into new products and reduce the burden on our nearly-full landfills.

4. Make money from your waste.

   By allowing us to help you manage your waste with our on-site waste management services you also help us reclaim the value that would have traditionally ended up in landfill. Our full on-site solution can be customised to suit your needs, whatever the size of your business. Choose our professional services to recover as much waste as possible on site.

   We use a wide range of methods to ensure recyclable materials are turned into money. As much waste as possible is sorted at the source, and only non-processable items are sent to landfill, massively reducing your waste outputs.

   South Africa’s landfills are already overflowing, so anything your manufacturing company can do to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill will benefit the future of our country.

   Recycling items made of paper, plastic, glass and cans have many benefits. Recycling these materials to prevent them from ending up in landfills is environmentally beneficial. As part of our service, we can assist with the responsible disposal of hazardous materials through a number of sources.

   We don’t view waste as being trash. Instead, we think of it as a valuable resource. Let us show you how your manufacturing business can benefit from on-site waste management. Using waste as a resource for other businesses can be beneficial to all concerned.

5. Machinery maintenance and reduced downtime

   To reduce waste production in a manufacturing business, it is important to maintain the machinery on your production floor regularly. This will minimise downtime; cut costs; and waste produced in the manufacturing process. Minimising downtime will save time and money in the long run, because an efficient production process produces more products with less waste materials.

   For the waste that you then do produce, having an equally efficient waste management company sorting and baling the recyclables from your manufacturing waste and disposing of your non-recyclable waste effectively, can help ensure the entire process runs like a tight ship.

6. Organised warehouses

   Keep your warehouse organised at all times. It is important for goods, inventory, raw materials, supplies and tools to be marked clearly and be easy to access. This will save time and money. If goods are well marked, there will be no unnecessary ordering of supplies or raw materials you already have.

   New employees will find this useful. Warehouses that are not organised could result in incorrect goods being shipped to customers. Save time and money with a well-marked, organised warehouse.

7. The Mpact Waste Management on-site solution

   We offer a free waste audit to gauge what your individual needs are. Our on-site waste management service will ensure that little waste ends up in South Africa’s full-to-capacity landfills. You can also greatly benefit from a greener footprint and a smarter production cycle that is low on overproduction waste.

   Contact us today to start your greener waste management journey. We offer a complete menu for on-site waste management for manufacturing companies in South Africa.