Reduce, reuse, and recycle - are three simple yet powerful words that can significantly impact our planet. These practices have gained immense importance today when environmental concerns are increasingly pressing. They help to reduce waste, conserve resources, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable future. This blog post will discuss the strategies and benefits of the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" practices employed at Slippery Elephant. Reduce
The first step in the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra for a company is reducing waste. This goal is achieved through a variety of strategies, including:
- Reducing overproduction: Overproduction can lead to excess waste and unnecessary use of resources. Companies can avoid overproduction and reduce waste by closely monitoring inventory and demand. As an online and direct-to-consumer-only company, Slippery Elephant closely models and projects demand and can produce additional batches within one business day.
- Using bulk purchasing: Purchasing in bulk reduces the amount of packaging waste and the company's carbon footprint by reducing the number of deliveries.
- Energy-efficient equipment and their responsible use are significant energy savings sources. These practices not only save cost on utility bills but also reduces our carbon footprint.
Reuse
The second step is to find ways to reuse items whenever possible. Some strategies for companies managing ingredients and supplies include:
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Packaging such as cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and glass jars can often be reused instead of discarded. Slippery Elephant users report creative uses for the tin jars our hand balm is delivered in (stay tuned for community ideas in an upcoming blog post).
- Repurposing containers and packaging: Slippery Elephant reuses buckets and bottles in which our ingredients are delivered. One "reuse" example is employing the smaller plastic and glass containers used as we scaled up to break down the larger shipments we now receive. While a 44-pound block of shea nut butter efficiently delivers this product to us with minimal waste, we frequently break this down into 7-pound sealable buckets that we reuse over and over.
- Shipping material: While Slippery Elephant takes a minimalist approach to shipping material, we sometimes need additional packaging for larger orders. Since we receive many of our materials and containers packaged with craft paper, we save this and reuse it in customers' orders. So, if you place a larger order, the craft paper protecting your items is likely enjoying a second life!
Recycle
The final step is to recycle as much as possible. Implementing and enforcing a recycling program can help ensure that materials are properly sorted and recycled. The Slippery Elephant waste stream is primarily comprised of cardboard and plastic, which we bundle for our waste partner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "reduce, reuse, and recycle" practices are essential for companies managing ingredients and supplies. These practices can help companies reduce waste, conserve resources, and improve their reputation as good corporate citizens while saving money. It is up to each company to take action and make these practices a part of their daily operations. By doing so, Slippery Elephant and other responsible companies contribute to a more sustainable future.