First, let's have a look at some figures. Who is responsible for what percentage of waste? (Source: https://afvalmonitor.databank.nl/)

Waste: why bother?

Climate goals demand that we find ways to lower these figures. By actively pursuing this goal, companies would enjoy several additional benefits:

1. Image boost

Today's climate-conscious customer is likely to favor your products over those of your competitors.

2. Motivated employees

Many people enjoy working for a sustainable company with clear, long-term environmental objectives. If they can contribute to society as a whole, they are often willing to work harder, and earning a little less won't bother them.

3. Possibly cheaper

If you adopt a well thought-out approach to purchasing and recycling raw materials, you could reduce the expenses associated with your process.

4. Better future

When materials run out, you already have proper solutions in place: you've learned how to work with less product and/or you're recycling materials, so you'll always have what you need to stay in business.

Towards a circular company: what can you do?

Ready to reduce industrial waste? There are several measures you can take. We will discuss them below.

1. Produce less waste in the chain

First, you can collaborate with the chain, like the Carlsberg Circular Community does. Second, it's possible to discharge less waste during your production process by:

• Recycling waste in your own process.
  
• Using products that cause less waste.
  
• Looking for parties that use your waste as the source of their chain. Vitens, for example, reuses waste from ground water to fertilize agricultural land. While this so-called humic acid only used to cost money, it is now sold as a fertilizer to the agricultural sector, which noticeably benefits from it - the use of humic acid results in a 10% harvest increase.
  

What is your packaging made of? If it's plastic or another difficult-to-decompose material, you're actively contributing to more waste. Opt for paper packaging instead to be more environment-minded.

However, it doesn't end there. Once you've embarked on the recycling train, make your customers aware of it and encourage them to do the same. Only then, your efforts will bear fruit. After all, consumers need to recognize your sustainable packaging as kitchen and garden waste so they can throw it into the right receptacle!