Studies have shown that small businesses have a positive attitude regarding recycling and waste reduction and yet there has not been a significant improvement. It’s difficult for small businesses to contribute in waste reduction since their small size impact their “capacity to engage in waste management practices, such as their lower level of resources and flatter management structure may not have been given due attention” (Redmond, Walker and Wang, 2008). Nevertheless, whether it's office paper, cardboard, food scraps, aluminum, or bottles and cans, there is always an opportunity to capture the business's recyclables.
Recycling and waste reduction can give small businesses a competitive edge in the market. It also provides them with the opportunity to save money by reducing the amount of waste they produce. Other advantages include reduced costs in raw materials, office supplies, and equipment. Therefore, it is clearly shown that the potential benefits of engaging in recycling and waste reduction activities outweigh the costs.
Our research indicates that 68% of the small businesses surveyed in Rhode Island do contribute to waste reduction and recycling practices. Therefore, we plan on increasing awareness of these green business practices in order to be able to increase this percentage to 100%.
The following sites provided below can help any business gain any further information about recycling and waste reduction practices.
*Refer to the Helpful Resources page for links to more information on Recycling*