by Brianna Crandall — April 27, 2016 — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center issued a new report earlier this year detailing the value businesses can find in viewing waste as a resource and engaging in the “circular economy.”
The report, titled Trash to Treasure: Changing Waste Streams to Profit Streams, examines the weight and impact of waste on American business. It features business case studies that illustrate the power of the circular economy to increase efficiency and profitability.
Businesses that understand, measure, and manage their waste and take action to eliminate, reduce, or reuse that waste can open up new revenue streams, increase efficiency and unleash innovation, the report concludes.
Jennifer Gerholdt, director of Environmental Initiatives for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, explains:
The circular economy offers a wealth of opportunity for the American business community. As companies confront the realities of today’s economic environment, it’s easy to overlook the value and the potential for growth that lies in ordinary, everyday waste. Our “Trash to Treasure” research illustrates the business case for the circular economy, encouraging all enterprises to follow the lead of several businesses already putting this regenerative, restorative way of thinking to work.
The full Trash to Treasure: Changing Waste Streams to Profit Streams report is available for free download on the Foundation Web site.
For more information on the circular economy and how the private sector is putting best practices to work, visit the Corporate Citizenship Center’s Web site.
