Solid Waste Removal - Prioritizing For The Future
I have been in the waste industry for some time now. I still have to scratch my head in wonder when it comes to how low of a priority waste disposal and its costs are for manufactures. Not to mention the affect it has on our environment.
I meet with companies every day that do not make there trash disposal a priority until it becomes a problem. Even then the priority is to get rid of the waste. Not, what would be the most economical and environmentally friendly way to do it.
The majority of companies that I have been asked to look at, have put waste at such a low priority, that they do not even know what they are spending on the waste removal. They are so focused on what is going out the front door that they do not see the enormous affect it has on the company bottom line profits. Until that is, someone like me points it out.
One of the reasons that this is happening is that when a company first starts manufacturing they probably do not produce that much waste. As the production increases, so will there waste. In most cases the invoice will go to accounts payable. It is there job to make sure the invoice is paid. Not to monitor how much is being spent on waste removal. So as the production increases so do the costs of waste removal. And even if someone in accounts payable was to question the increased costs, they would probably be told that it’s the cost of manufacturing and I think we have the best deal we can get.
So, from then on it just spirals up and up unchecked. Invoice comes in payment goes out. Waste Haulers love this phenomenon. And believe me when I say they know all about this. They will do everything they can to keep it going. But, that is another subject.
In todays world, with over flowing landfills, global warming, and all the issues that these things are forcing us to look at, I truly believe that manufactures need to raise there awareness and prioritize for the future. Once the awareness of what they are producing as waste and what affect it has on the environment along with what it is costing them to dispose of. Then they can start to discover ways to lessen there impact on the environment and there bottom line profits. Becoming responsible leaders in there community and having a positive impact on the environment that we all need to work on protecting.
I realize that this all sounds like lofty ideas and who has the time to do all this when you have a production quota to hit. Let me ask you to do one thing that I think will convince you that it will be worth the effort. Go down to your account Payables people and ask to look at the waste invoices for the last year. Add the twelve months totals together and then really look at what your waste costs are. And then ask yourself, how many of what ever you manufacture would that figure purchase. And how can I reduce this cost and our impact on our bottom line profits. I think that then you will see how important it is to prioritize for your future.
Mr. Robert Kamppi has been in the Waste industry here in the United States and in Europe for over 20 years. He has worked with National Waste Haulers, Equipment Manufacturers and as consultant to Manufacturers and industry. He has also become an independent, trusted and valued expert nationally on waste hauling efficiency and reduced environmental impact strategies for many companies. He is currently involved with the introduction and placement of next generation High efficiency waste control equipment. Mr. Kamppi firmly believes that Manufacturers and Industry leaders that are looking to lessen there impact on the environment and lessen the impact of waste removal on there bottom line profits should investigate this new equipment. You can contact Mr. Kamppi at his web site for more information or to ask any questions http://home.comcast.net/~robert_kamppi/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
Tags: lean manufacturing, manufacturing waste, productivity, recycling, reduction, robert kamppi, solid waste