Businesses making green efforts pay off

NJBIZ, May 11, 2009

COMPANIES ARE DISCOVERING "green" can mean cost savings as they reduce and recycle solid waste. See story on Page 19.)

At its corporate offices and warehouses, Burlington Coat Factory is now keeping 92.3 percent of its solid waste out of landfills. The retail chain has made moves ranging from recycling hangers to asking suppliers to eliminate unnecessary packaging from shipments. The Burlington-based company has reduced more than waste - it has also cut its trash disposal costs by 80 percent or more.

New Jersey Resources recycles about 100 items, from cell phones to toner cartridges. The solid-waste recycling efforts have reduced operating costs by $130,000, not to mention saving nearly 1,000 trees and keeping more than 688 tons of material out of landfills.

The savings can come at a price. Companies must devote employee time to the efforts, time not spent on their normal duties. Staff constraints can make recycling efforts even more difficult for smaller companies.

Perhaps the biggest upfront cost can be fees and changes in procedures so a company can obtain a green certification, an increasingly coveted credential. See story on Page 22.) The designations can lead to new contracts for companies. But businesses need to ensure they are pursuing respected certifications, and then adequately marketing the honor, if they want it to lead to profits.

Otherwise, the certificate will be just one more piece of paper to recycle.

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