by Bryony Sharma, Recorra

Imagine a zero-waste world.

What do you think this looks like for you and your business? Would reusable coffee cups be the norm? Are you walking to work through litter-free streets?

Or do you see inconvenience? Produce rolling loose on shelves and carrying containers with you everywhere you go?

Or maybe, the term zero waste means nothing to you.

The concept of zero waste is thrown around in sustainability, procurement, and waste circles regularly, but it is often unclear what the term really means.

What does zero waste mean?

The term zero waste, put simply, means designing a society where everything is reused, recycled, or composted so nothing ends up as waste.. That means no materials going into general waste, landfill, or incineration. In this ideal world, everything is created with the intention of being reused and recycled.

Zero waste aims to design waste out of the system. In this way, it is not just better recycling; it is prevention, reuse, and redesign.

In the day-to-day, zero waste might mean carrying a reusable water bottle, choosing products with minimal packaging, and reusing containers rather than throwing them out. On a systemic scale, it involves rethinking supply chains and product design so that materials remain in use for as long as possible.

As Kirsten Zoe Smith, Environment and Net Zero Strategist at Recorra, explains “In a literal sense, this objective means the banishment of bins: a complete transition to a world where we reuse, rent, and repair everything. However, this vision must be balanced with reality, where budgets are limited, and business models often push waste onto the consumer.”

Why zero waste matters

The environmental case for zero waste is clear. Reducing waste preserves natural resources, lowers reliance on landfill, and cuts carbon emissions from both manufacturing and disposal. For example:

• – Recycling one tonne of paper saves around 17 trees and 26,000 litres of water.
• – Recycling plastics uses up to 70% less energy than producing new plastics.
• – Recycling one tonne of cardboard saves nearly seven cubic metres of landfill space.

But the benefits extend beyond the environment. For businesses, zero waste supports:

• – Reputation: Customers, employees, and investors increasingly expect credible sustainability commitments. Zero waste demonstrates leadership.
• – Cost savings: Reducing landfill waste cuts disposal costs, while reuse and recycling can lower the need to purchase raw materials.
• – Future proofing: With regulations such as Simpler Recycling coming into effect, businesses that separate recycling effectively will be ahead of compliance requirements.

Practical steps for businesses today

Zero waste is not an overnight transformation. It is about setting a clear direction and taking achievable, incremental steps:

1. 1. Audit waste streams: Understand what is being disposed of and identify areas for improvement.
2. 2. Segregate recycling: Keep materials clean and high-quality; for instance, separating paper towels can reduce general waste by up to 20%.
3. 3. Invest in reuse systems: From refillable office supplies to reusable catering ware, small changes add up.
4. 4. Work with suppliers: Reduce unnecessary packaging and choose recyclable alternatives where possible.
5. 5. Engage staff: Clear signage, training, and communications help embed new behaviours.

Waste less, achieve more!

So, what if your business aimed for zero waste? While eliminating all waste overnight may be unrealistic, embracing zero waste ideas shifts the conversation from “how do we manage waste?” to “how do we prevent it?”

For businesses, this approach can reduce costs, enhance sustainability credentials, and contribute to ESG goals. For society, it means fewer emissions, less waste, and a step closer to a circular economy.

Zero waste may feel like an ambitious ideal, but it is not about perfection. It is about progress, systematic change, and making better choices today that collectively create a measurable difference. While systems are changing to be less wasteful, business today can take action to become zero waste through their everyday choices.

Finding the right waste management partner is key to progressing toward zero waste. If you’re looking for expert support, Recorra can help guide your next steps.