While individuals do their part to reduce their environmental impact, businesses—especially those operating in industrial, remote, or regulated environments—have a greater opportunity and responsibility to lead. Implementing sustainable waste management practices is not only essential for environmental stewardship but also for ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term business success.
This blog explores how sustainable waste management benefits your organization, identifies common industrial waste streams, outlines best practices, and highlights a case study showcasing KBL’s approach to waste diversion and circular economy solutions.
The Business Case for Sustainable Waste Management
Adopting sustainable waste management strategies can drive value well beyond environmental impact. Businesses that integrate these solutions often experience improved regulatory compliance, reduced operational costs, enhanced ESG performance, and stronger stakeholder trust.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency
Sustainable waste management contributes to more efficient workflows. When materials are better organized and waste handling processes are optimized, operational delays, safety incidents, and unnecessary disposal costs are minimized—especially critical for complex sites or remote locations.
Reducing Disposal and Procurement Costs
By diverting waste from landfills and reusing residuals, businesses can significantly reduce disposal fees. Over time, this also leads to lower procurement costs, as fewer raw or consumable materials are needed. KBL supports clients in identifying reuse opportunities and implementing cost-effective waste strategies across their operations.
Strengthening Brand and ESG Value
Environmental responsibility is increasingly a requirement for doing business. A 2023 Deloitte study found that 60 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, and 34% have stopped supporting brands that fail to prioritize the environment. The same trend is evident in B2B and institutional sectors, where ESG compliance and sustainability reporting are now key decision-making factors.
Best Practices for Effective Waste Management
For organizations looking to improve their waste management strategy, the following best practices offer a structured and measurable approach:
1. Conduct Routine Waste Audits
Waste audits are essential for understanding the type, volume, and source of waste generated by your operations. These audits provide the data needed to implement targeted waste reduction initiatives and support continuous improvement through measurable KPIs.
KBL supports businesses by performing detailed waste audits and offering custom dashboards that help track disposal metrics, identify diversion opportunities, and support compliance with regulatory and ESG frameworks.
2. Set Clear and Measurable Goals
Setting measurable waste reduction goals enables your organization to track progress and maintain accountability. Goals might include reducing hazardous waste volumes by a certain percentage, increasing diversion rates, or achieving ISO 14001 certification.
Using waste audit data, businesses can set SMART goals tailored to their operations and monitor performance over time.
3. Implement Site-Specific Recycling and Diversion Programs
Recycling programs go beyond separating office paper and plastics. At KBL, we help clients establish customized diversion programs for industrial, hazardous, and organic wastes. These include onsite collection systems, staff training, and secure, compliant offsite transport and treatment.
Educating staff on recycling guidelines and the rationale behind each diversion stream is key to long-term success.
4. Partner With an Experienced Waste Management Provider
Selecting the right waste management partner is essential. KBL provides safe, compliant, and efficient waste disposal solutions across Western and Northern Canada. Our team supports a full range of services, including hazardous waste transfer, residual recycling, landfill operations, and soil and water treatment.
As a leader in circular economy innovation, KBL offers value-added solutions such as paint recycling, metal transfer, and residual repurposing—all while ensuring full regulatory compliance and alignment with ESG goals.
Understanding the Common Waste Streams for Businesses
Different industries generate different types of waste. Below are some of the most common categories we see across KBL’s client sites:
General Waste and Recyclables
This includes non-hazardous materials such as paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, and packaging waste generated from day-to-day operations. These materials are often easily diverted through well-designed recycling programs.
Organic and Hazardous Waste
Organic waste, such as food scraps and biodegradable material, is common in hospitality and landscaping. Hazardous waste—such as batteries, solvents, paints, and chemicals—is highly regulated and must be managed through licensed facilities. KBL ensures proper handling, storage, transportation, and documentation under TDG and ECCC guidelines.
Electronic and Industrial Waste
Electronic waste includes end-of-life IT equipment and other obsolete electronic devices. Industrial waste may include metals, process by-products, concrete, or contaminated soils—often found at construction or remediation sites. KBL offers integrated services for both waste streams, including onsite segregation, treatment, and recycling.
Case Study: Mazeppa Sulfur Pit Removal
A prime example of KBL’s innovative waste management practices is the Mazeppa sulfur pit remediation project.
Originally built in 1986, the Mazeppa Gas Plant processed sour gas, generating sulfur by isolating hydrogen sulfide and converting it into a solid. When the facility was shut down in 2008, thousands of tonnes of solid sulfur were left onsite, creating a significant environmental liability.
KBL was engaged to manage the removal and repurposing of the sulfur in a sustainable, low-impact manner. Rather than relying solely on landfill disposal, our team:
- Mixed the sulfur with phosphorus rock to create a natural fertilizer, repurposing 4,800 tonnes.
- Diverted an additional 2,500 tonnes of waste materials from landfill.
- Recycled all remaining concrete as aggregate and sent recovered metals to certified recyclers.
This project is a model for responsible decommissioning and material reuse—highlighting how sustainable waste management can drive both environmental and economic value.
Conclusion: Building a Greener Future Together
Sustainable waste management is more than a trend—it’s a strategic business decision that improves efficiency, reduces costs, supports compliance, and positions your organization as a responsible leader in your industry.
By conducting waste audits, setting meaningful goals, implementing targeted recycling programs, and partnering with experts like KBL, your business can reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to a circular economy.
Contact KBL at 780-452-7779 or contact us online to learn more about how our waste solutions can support your operations.