Saving $1,000 a month – and the environment

"The main outcome that stood out after becoming involved in the Bin Trim program was the question it raised for the company: 'What else can we do now?' There is more to do – including recycling wood, aluminium cans, plastic bottles and solar energy. Furnware Group is doing its bit for the environment, saving the planet and saving a few dollars along the way."

Furnware Group

Furnware sells components and hardware to kitchen manufacturers. Soft plastic waste is generated by two sources in the business. Imported stock is wrapped in soft plastic. It is also generated when pallets are wrapped in plastic before storage. This is a work, health and safety requirement to remove the risk of injury from falling goods. The plastic wrap cannot be re-used, therefore Furnware was sending the plastic to landfill.

In total, the company was sending 16 wheelie bins* of general waste to landfill every week.

How Bin Trim helped

After visiting the business and undertaking a waste assessment, the Bin Trim assessor suggested Furnware Group invest in a baler. Furnware bought the baler with the help of an $11,500 Bin Trim rebate, saving 50% of the cost. The baler supplier also provided training for staff in machine operation.

The baler bundles the company’s plastic and cardboard waste into blocks, which are then collected by a waste management company. Around four bales of cardboard a week are collected and one bale of plastic per fortnight, paying Furnware $10 per bale.

Results

As well as receiving money back for their bales, Furnware now saves at least $1,000 per month from reduced bin collections.

Furnware’s involvement with the Bin Trim program has also inspired the business to recycle their other waste. The company now collects cans, bottles and glass and all staff are involved in separating rubbish which is then sent to a container deposit scheme collection point.

Next steps

The company is now working on a solution to keep their wood waste out of landfill with help from Bin Trim.

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy. epa.nsw.gov.au/bintrim

You can hear more from NSW Department of Planning,  Industry and Environment at the AWRE 2019 Speaker Series, simply register online for free