How You Can Promote Reuse In Your Business

Julie Starr • January 4, 2022



The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that America’s landfills are filled with a whopping 139.6 million tons of waste annually. Businesses are undoubtedly one of the most significant generators of this waste, so it is crucial for them to modify their purchasing and current processes to reduce waste volume. Reusing materials is one of the best ways your company can lower the amount of waste it contributes to landfills every year, making it more sustainable. Here are some ideas to promote reuse in your company.

  • Use envelopes and packaging again

It is vital to note that your average envelope begins as a tree or several trees. Additionally, transforming raw materials into envelopes demands top-notch equipment and renewable and non-renewable resources. Consequently, reducing your need for new envelopes through re-usage lessens the waste that ends up in landfills and the resources required to produce them. You can reuse envelopes sent to your company by detaching the glue that holds them together. Then, fold these envelopes in the opposite direction to obtain a clean area where you can write any relevant addresses.

You can also use masking tape to conceal envelopes’ original addresses and write new ones with a black marker. Furthermore, a reported 91% of all packaging waste ends up in landfills or the environment. Therefore, consider reusing your packaging waste to make your enterprise more sustainable. For this, you can use packaging like cardboard boxes, jiffy bags, and wooden pallets again, as long as they are durable. Similarly, you can keep old bubble wrap to reuse as packaging, so keep this in mind.

  • Use a VoIP system

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an excellent communication technology that enables you to make voice calls with a broadband internet connection instead of an analog phone line. This technology is also highly flexible, allowing you to readily integrate it into your present office hardware through software development. As such, your company can continue using its original telephones and connect them to its VoIP system, allowing a rapid change over from one system to another. On the other hand, traditional landline systems require regular upgrades because they lack features like video calls and screen sharing that modern businesses need. These upgrades are costly and often wasteful. Replacing a telephone system requires removing critical equipment and wiring, which eventually ends up in landfills where it will take several years to completely break down. Consequently, consider searching for the best VoIP phone system provider for your business to ensure that you can reuse your telephone system and avoid contributing to landfill waste. These IP phones are wire-free, and it takes just one phone call to your provider to upgrade your VoIP service.

  • Refill your toner and ink-jet cartridges

You have likely thrown away a printer cartridge more than once a month if you do a lot of printing daily in your business. However, numerous experts agree that doing this isn’t always the best option; you can save good money by getting your empty printer ink cartridge refilled instead of purchasing a new one. In many cases, you can save up to 70% of the price of a new cartridge if you choose to refill instead of buying new ones. Additionally, refilling your printer cartridge instead of putting it in the trash will help the environment. For starters, refilling diminishes the overall amount of garbage that ends up in landfills. Also, remember that many printer ink cartridges are made from non-biodegradable materials like plaster. It would take hundreds of years for even the smallest ink cartridges to disintegrate. Therefore, refilling your cartridges will reduce soil destruction as well as air, land, and water pollution.

  • Donate your old office furniture and used equipment

It isn’t uncommon to get rid of various old furniture and equipment around your office occasionally. However, you can donate these unwanted items to various non-profits, schools, and charitable organizations that reuse them instead of sending them to landfills. Donating your furniture also ensures that fewer raw materials are required to produce new ones, preventing unnecessary pollution. Furthermore, donating your office furniture and equipment ensures that these items can be used throughout their entire life cycle. Many consumers get rid of items that can still be used because they are no longer deemed aesthetically attractive. Therefore, donations ensure that things you don’t consider useful or pleasant don’t end up in landfills simply because you don’t fancy them anymore. Instead, you can make your waste items a gift for someone who needs them, promoting longer usage.

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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