Construction and demolition waste recycling business Mike Davidson Enterprises has been forced to close its doors after an investigation by the Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control Department cited the operation for over twenty waste regulation violations, many  of which were determined to be on-going and blatantly non-compliant.

As a result, the business was forced to stop accepting and processing C&D waste materials and recyclables as a result of having its business permit suspended.

The twenty two violations included the following:

* Improper storing of recyclable materials.

* Failure to submit the required annual reports to the Natural Resources and Environmental Control Department.

* Failure to maintain and provide fire protection as required by their permit.

* Failure to maintain the required records of environmental testing of ground, air, and water in the vicinity of the facility.

As the violations have been long-standing, it is uncertain if a compromise can be reached that would allow the recycling service to re-open for business.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When it comes to waste and recycling, following environmental rules and regulations is a “must do” for your business. Take the time to learn which laws apply to you and your services and follow them! Failure to do so can result in fines, expensive court costs, and maybe even having your business permit suspended.

Two independent small businesses are taking advantage of consumers desire for more recycling and expanding their presence in their local communities while creating new jobs and economic opportunities.

In South Carolina, Recleim, is building a new operations facility for electronics waste and unwanted appliance recycling. Located in Aiken County, the plant will be hiring upwards of two hundred new employees and will be working closely with municipal governments and other businesses to enhance and improve recycling in their areas of specialty.

In Pennsylvania, PGA, a local plastics recycling outfit specializing in PET, PVC, and polyethylene, is also feeling the need to increase their operations and will be moving to a larger facility within its existing community of White Haven. It is expected that PGA will increase employees from the current number of thirteen to over forty within the next few years. PGA started in 2006 as a two person business and has steadily grown over their years in operation.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Whatever business you’re in, it’s important to remember that job and wealth creation is happening in recycling. Are you adding this lucrative sector to the services you provide? If you don’t do it, someone else will!

The United States Zero Waste Business Council has started a third-party certification program to verify zero waste status for businesses of all sizes located within the country.

The Zero Waste Business Council is a not for profit organization located in California that was created in 2011. The organization’s goal is to work with businesses wanting to achieve zero waste goals by diverting waste materials from local landfills and incineration options by reducing consumption, reusing materials throughout their natural life-cycle, exploring recycling and re-sale opportunities  and composting organic waste and food scraps. The organization requires a minimum diversion rate of ninety percent for zero waste classification.

The group recently awarded zero waste classification to Whole Foods Market grocery stores in the San Diego area. The organization also offers educational tools for businesses and community groups interested in learning more about the importance and process of achieving zero waste status. The group hopes to provide some much needed credibility and verification to claims of “zero waste” allowing consumers to develop trust that the statement is more than simply marketing language used by businesses eager to be seen embracing environmentally-friendly trends.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If your business has already started down the road of reducing waste and increasing recycling, looking into certification programs may be your next smart move in setting your offerings apart from your competitors!

There are several different ways manufacturing and distribution businesses can enhance their profits and at the same time help to preserve the environment and improve quality of life for their community.

For example, in New Hampshire, an owner of an independently owned electrical distributor improved the businesses bottom line by implementing several environmentally aware initiatives. The business decided to offer free light audits to their commercial customers, will recycle their unwanted or used thermostats and light bulbs, and tries to educate their  customers about the benefits of lighting products that are energy-efficient. By increasing their knowledge of green products, they are also helping their customers to save money as well.

The company also started a recycling program in-house that has reduced waste disposal fees by almost seventy five percent – simply by putting less trash in the dumpster every day!

The new going green program as also helped to boost employee morale and both new and long time workers have commented that they take pride in seeing their company take a positive approach to environmental issues – as well as the increased revenue and job security being generated from returning customers pleased with the enhanced services being provided to them.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Even if it costs your business a little bit of money in short term start-up costs, in the long run, providing your customers with environmentally friendly knowledge and services will serve you and your employees well!

While city government and municipal budgets are still in a hiring freeze in most parts of the country, there is one area where employment growth is starting to heat up and generate opportunities  – recycling. From increases in curbside pick-up to the creation of composting facilities  this is one area where both local leaders and businesses are thinking outside the box and trying new systems that will ultimately save money in garbage disposal fees and landfill costs.

For example, the state of Florida has recently implemented a seventy five percent waste diversion rate, and in California new laws are going to effect which require both multi-unit residences and commercial business space to recycle.

Based on recent research conducted throughout the country, it is believed that if the nation’s waste recycling rate increased to seventy five percent, over one million jobs would be created in the recycling and waste disposal industry.

Current business practices have identified that processing recyclables requires two full-time positions per one thousand tons of recycled material. Organics waste and food scraps requires one half of a full-time position per one thousand tons of material. Trash disposal, on the other hand, only requires one tenth of a full-time position for the same amount of weight.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When you and your business support the development of recycling facilities and the expansion of community wide recycling programs, you are not only supporting good environmental stewardship but you are also helping to create local jobs that strength the regional economy!