Waste management and reduction guide for retail industry

204.1 Avoiding waste(most preferred)Complete removal of components orpackaging from production; changesto production processesPotential waste areasProduct design■ Where possible, encouragechange in product design toreduce materials consumptionPackaging/materials■ Avoid the need for plasticshrink wrapping■ Encourage suppliers to providecrates instead of pallets■ Negotiate with suppliers toremove unnecessary packagingfrom products■ Encourage retailers to useproducts made of recyclablematerial and packaged inrecycled materialGarden design■ Create mulched gardens insteadof lawns around centres■ Use native plants to reducewater useWays to avoid wasteOffer alternatives■ Encourage the use of reusableand refillable productsEducate/raise awarenessIn partnership with recognisedenvironmental organisationsorganisations such as KESAB:■ arrange community awarenesspromotions on waste streamsand public action■ introduce displays of availablereusable and recycled productsfor retailers and shoppers4.2 Reducing wasteChanges to a product or processto reduce the waste it produces orgeneratesPotential waste areasProduct design■ Encourage manufacturers tochange product design in orderto use fewer materialsPackaging/materials■ Encourage suppliers and retailersto use only as much wrapping orpackaging material as required■ Discourage the use ofpolystyrene boxes and filling■ Reuse cardboard boxes beforepurchasing new ones■ Encourage the use of reusableplates and cutlery in food courts■ Use signs as a reminder toreduce waste and recycle.Potential savingsEnergy savings■ When purchasing newequipment, select the mostenergy efficient item■ Adjust timing switches to suitseasonal needs■ Evaluate public lighting areas■ Use energy efficient lightingWater savings■ Check for dripping taps andfaulty cisterns■ Encourage the use ofenvironmentally preferred and/orbiodegradable cleaning agentsSection 4.Identifying wasteminimisationopportunitiesMaterials savingsIn the office introduce proceduresthat limit waste:■ encourage the use of recycledpaper■ organise collection of officepaper for recycling■ print documents on both sidesof paper■ reuse the blank side of used paperfor notes or in-office memos■ recycle used print/copycartridges■ reduce paper use by using email■ limit printouts to necessaryitems only.In the shopping centre■ provide information to retailersand shoppers to encouragesupport for waste reductionA green checklist for retailers (Form4) and a green guide for shoppers(Form 5) can be foundin the appendix.