Reduce Facility Costs

RecycleDo you have facility costs that you haven’t factored into your bottom line? Every production facility has waste. It’s unavoidable. But knowing how to adequately reduce its footprint, its hauling cost and potential for possible injuries can make all the difference in the world. If you have cardboard boxes coming into your production area filled with components or supplies and you are still breaking them down by hand, you have room for improvement. Cardboard is recyclable. It’s also messy if not properly dealt with at the point of taking out components. If you’re chasing after savings in your facility by parring down production costs, it might make sense to first examine how you are dealing with excess cardboard.

It’s Simple…Reduce Costs That Are Adding Up

Does dispersing components/supplies received add to the problem of disposing of the packaging materials in your plant? Some areas may be in foods or medicines processing areas where disposing of the packaging there is not permitted.  Many locations that receive components/supplies may not have the space there, especially if it is expected to separate the trash from the packaging that can be recycled. In addition, unpacking on the production line may have an effect upon production.

What You Can Do to Reduce Facility Costs

An effective way to solve these problems may be to consider unpacking components where they are received. This can have a number of the following benefits:

  1. Save space in the production area
  2. Reduce the cost of collecting the packaging material
  3. Make it more cost effective in compacting for disposal of the packaging material
  4. Reduce traffic of persons and/or forklifts in the plant

KenBay has been providing companies with the ability to package the materials more cost effectively by reducing labor and achieving much higher compaction.

Turn to KenBay for a Better Compactor

There’s a lot of compactor options out there to reduce your facility costs. It may be tempting to think that bigger is better. But buying a large bulky compactor is no guarantee of power. Instead, why not try one of KenBay’s RotoPacs? The RotoPac is portable, so you can transport it easily across the floor to wherever you need. Put it right at the source of your waste for maximum effect. And you can bet that the RotoPac has a fantastic compaction rate! If you want to try out a RotoPac for yourself, visit our website to try one out for yourself. You’ll be impressed at it’s power . . . and your savings!

2 Surprising Ways to Encourage Waste Reduction

waste reductionWe here at KenBay are all about the environment. We promote a zero waste initiative and encourage waste reduction whenever we can. If you are one of those people who agree that you need to do your part for the environment, then hey, we salute you! You may want to help encourage others to do their part as well. But how can you make a difference? It seems that waste is just such an ingrained part of our culture. Many people throw their garbage in landfills without giving it a second thought! Well, if you want your manufacturing plant to promote waste reduction, here are some great ways to get the ball rolling.

Become Involved in the Community

They say that one person has the capability to bring about change. With enough determination, this is definitely possible. However, why stop at one? We think a better way would be giving that one guy a break and getting the entire community involved. As a major business, you definitely have the power! Perform a bit of research and learn about the environmental needs of your community. Perhaps the local park suffers from a littering problem. Or maybe the community generates too much waste. What are the causes of these issues?

Once you understand the issues, work with local leadership to help correct them! Organize and fund park clean up day, for example, or set up recycling bins around high traffic areas to encourage recycling and waste reduction over landfill use. Also, think about setting up events that educate the public on what they can do at home and at work to help the environment. Also, consider donating to a non profit or charity that you think makes a difference. What takes one person a lot of effort to do by himself, an entire community can do easily! Not to mention it gets your company a lot of great press.

Become an Example for Others

Another great way to encourage waste reduction is to be an example of it yourself. This isn’t always easy, but with a little extra effort, you will find responsible waste management is definitely doable. Track your material flow and learn where your products come from . . . and where they go. Ensure that you are doing everything you can to recycle your materials, and look into options like waste to energy to see if it’s feasible for you. Finally, make sure that switching to an environmentally conscious mindset isn’t slamming your finances. Use a solid compactor and reduce your spending on the labor and hauling of your waste.

As it so happens, KenBay compactors are exactly the thing you need to promote fantastic waste reduction! Our compactors are small and portable, and you can use them right at the source of your waste. Simply toss it in and forget about it! Additionally, our RotoPacs continuously press and compress the waste into a cube shape, which is easier to haul and transport. You won’t have to waste money hauling empty space on the truck, and you’ll have fewer trips overall! If you are interested in experiencing a KenBay RotoPac for yourself, we offer you the option to Try it Before you Buy it! If you like what you have, just pay for the one we already sent you and be done with it. If you want to promote more waste reduction, trust KenBay to have your back!

5 Ways Industrial Waste is Costing you Money . . . and What to do About it!

industrial waste wastes moneyIndustrial Waste of Money?

Some people may believe that disposing of industrial waste costs very little money as opposed to recycling it. In reality, this idea couldn’t be farther from the truth. It doesn’t matter whether you are dumping your waste in a landfill or recycling it properly, you will need to spend some money. Nothing good comes for free! Of course we here at KenBay prefer that you choose the more responsible option and recycle it. We have a zero waste initiative and encourage other companies to follow suit. It’s better for the environment, and helps save you money!

“Now wait a minute,” you ask, “Recycling is expensive! Isn’t it better for my company if I throw my industrial waste into the scrapyard instead of paying money to send it somewhere else?” You may think this is the case, but here are some hidden costs you might not have considered.

Labor

So the first question you need to ask is: who’s going to be picking up and hauling the waste? Because, unless technology has advanced significantly in the last 24 hours, we don’t have an army of robots to handle our trash. What we do have are flesh and blood humans, and those still need to be paid.

Transport

“Ok,” you say, “So I’ll need to hire some folks to handle my garbage. That’s fine, I’m sure they have families to feed.” That’s true, and now have you thought about how they will get the waste to the landfill? Because it’s doubtful that they will be walking the entire way. The cost of transport is also a factor!

Inefficient Handling/Packaging

“Well of course they’ll need to use trucks!” you say next. “It’s perfectly reasonable to pay for that.” That it is, but is it reasonable to pay for all that air you’re hauling around? Most of the time, industrial waste is just thrown into the truck. Think about what happens if you just throw clothing haphazardly into a suitcase. Are you able to maximize the use of that potential space? Of course not! It’s the same here: if you’re just throwing the waste on the truck, you end up paying for more trips to haul everything. This compounds the cost of the labor and transport as well.

Consumption of Resources

Consider this also: the waste still needs to be “managed,” as it were. The process involves consuming resources. Energy is used. Water is needed. You still end up paying for this, every time you ship your waste off to a landfill.

Potential for Lawsuits

As you can see, a lot of small hidden costs end up adding to a large money sink. By now, you’re probably wondering how much of your waste you can dump into that pond nearby before anyone notices. Unfortunately for you, the greatest cost of all is handling your waste irresponsibly. You leave yourself vulnerable to a lawsuit. It’s a time consuming process which can irrevocably damage your company’s reputation, on top of the costs for your legal team. Recycling doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

Saving money and recycling is entirely possible. Just look at companies like GM, who save $1 billion a year through responsible waste management. “But I’m not nearly as large as GM, I can’t afford to start practices like that!” you (probably) just griped. That’s true, so why not try out a KenBay compactor? Our RotoPacs reduce the need for labor because they are portable and can be used on site. Additionally, crushing your waste and recyclables into cube shapes saves you money on transport. You won’t be hauling air when everything is stacked tightly into the truck! If you are interested in a KenBay compactor, you can try one before you buy it. Switch to KenBay, and find out how much money recycling can save you!

It’s Time to Take Another Look at Your Waste Products

Evaluate your waste products today!When was the last time you conducted a waste audit for your business? 3 years ago? 5? Maybe, never? If that’s the case, it’s time to take another look at your waste products. Every business creates waste, that’s almost a certainty, but what is done with it, where it’s sent, and how much time, money, and resources are devoted to it can vary dramatically. All businesses handle waste management in different ways. But, the businesses that manage their waste most successfully all have one thing in common. They aren’t complacent, they aren’t stagnant, they don’t continue to do the same things they’ve done for years and years.

Rather, they examine their waste products and processes with regularity. They also take a strategic approach to waste management. They examine and decide in advance how waste products will be handled, before their waste lands in a landfill!

Luckily, you can do the same for your business. If you haven’t ever evaluated your waste management processes, now is the time! Here are a few things you should consider:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It may seem simple, but many businesses often forget that they can ease the burden of waste management by simply reducing the amount of waste their business creates. There are plenty of ways to reduce waste products in businesses that you should consider.

Can you recycle some of your waste? Or, can you donate excess material instead of throwing it away? Can you purchase materials in bulk to reduce packaging waste? Is it more cost effective to send your waste to a Waste to Energy plant than a landfill? We all know that reducing, reusing, and recycling are great ways to help the environment. But, in businesses, these steps can also save valuable time, resources, and ultimately money.

Evaluate Your Sources of Waste Repeatedly

If you create an effective waste management strategy, your business won’t just reduce costs associated with waste management. If fact, you might even transform manufacturing waste into profits. However, to do so, you first need to create an effective waste management plan. Then, you need to evaluate it, along with you sources of waste, repeatedly. At the start of every quarter, set aside time to take a look at the waste products in your business. Then, look for new ways to improve your waste management strategies.

Manage Your Waste Products with KenBay

We know that waste management can be a burden. But, with KenBay, you’ll have the tools you need to help make the job a little easier. The next time you evaluate your waste products and waste management strategy, consider integrating one of our industrial trash compactors into your processes.

Trash compactors like KenBay’s RotoPac are ideal waste management products for industrial settings. They allow companies to reduce the volume of their trash at a ratio of six to one. The RotoPac can handle all kinds of waste from food to recyclables, and even solid hazardous waste. Because trash compactors will reduce the weight and size of your waste, they are a great way to cut down your waste removal costs and improve the efficiency of waste management.

Don’t let something like a waste get in the way of your business operations. If you’re interested in trash compactors or finding a committed consultant to help you reduce your waste, call KenBay. We can tell you more about our services, no matter what industry you’re in, or how much waste you are creating!

Photo credit: Getty Images / humbak

How to Save Money in Your Pursuit of Zero Waste

You can save money in your pursuit of zero wasteThere’s one question that every business asks when it considers becoming a zero waste organization: how will this affect our bottom line? For many skeptics, the assumption is that  “going green” costs money. We are here to tell you that these assumptions are wrong. Zero waste companies, ones that implement measures to keep their waste out of landfills, often find that saving money and being environmentally friendly can go hand in hand. To help you understand how you can implement zero waste programs into your business and save money, here are a few of our best tips:

Ensure Your Equipment is Reliable and Safe

It goes without saying that unsafe working conditions lead to a number of problems. But, it’s often worth repeating. When you begin a zero waste initiative, you will likely look for new tools and equipment to help you in your pursuit.  Whether you implement new equipment or continue to use your existing tools, ensure that your equipment is reliable and safe. Addressing safety concerns and expensive maintenance and repairs will cost you money and will hurt your bottom line. To avoid this problem, be sure that the machinery and equipment your zero waste business uses is the most reliable on the market. The less time, energy, and resources spent on repairs and updates, the more cost efficient you will be in your pursuit of zero waste.

Evaluate the Efficiency of Your Tools

If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it again, ineffective tools will cost you money. How does this tip differ from what we’ve already mentioned? Glad you asked. Evaluating the efficiency of your tools  is much more than just being aware of their reliability and safety. Even if the machinery you use, or may implement in zero waste initiatives, is reliable, safe, and low maintenance, ask yourself this: Is it also efficient? If you were building your processes today, would you choose this the machinery? Does your equipment get the job done quickly? Are there other options on the market that do the job better and faster? Plain and simple, wasting time wastes money. When you pursue zero waste initiatives, seek out the time and money saving options available to you. Stay vigilant and do your research to make sure that the tools you use are the most efficient ones on the market.

Consider Labor Costs

When you reduce the time it takes to get a job done, you also reduce your labor costs associated with the task. For many businesses, this reduction in transportation and labor costs is the easiest way to save money in the pursuit of zero waste. From the first step of your operation to the last, evaluate your procedures and always be on the lookout for ways to minimize your labor costs. Can a task be performed faster? Is there a tool on the market that will make labor easier to complete in a timely fashion? Being mindful of these questions will help your business save money that might be spent unnecessarily on labor costs. This is another strategy for saving money that you can implement in your business when you pursue a zero waste initiative.

Let Us Help You Save Money in Your Pursuit of Zero Waste

With KenBay, you can minimize costs and save money at the beginning of waste management. KeyBay’s commercial trash compactor models offer a safe, reliable, easy to use option for compacting waste before transport, thus saving you money in your pursuit of zero waste. Our RotoPack trash compactors address all the money saving tips we’ve suggested for you.

1. Reliability and Safety

The RotoPac trash compactor by KenBay is easy to use, made of quality construction, and implements several key safety measures. Because of this, you will save money on the safety and maintenance costs associated with trash compacting.

2. Efficiency

The RotoPac is small enough to place directly at the source of your waste. Instead of transporting waste elsewhere, you can compact it right away, saving you time, energy, and ultimately money. In addition, the RotoPac allows for more efficient, continuous trash compacting. Never again will production halt because of waiting time at the trash compactor.

3. Reduced Labor Costs

Although the RotoPac is smaller than traditional trash compactors, it compacts trash at such a rate that you don’t need to empty the compactor as often. In addition, trash is compacted more tightly in a RotoPac than in a traditional compactor. This tight compaction means you can fit more waste into a single bag and make fewer trips to dispose of waste.  A trash compactor like the RotoPac that allows you to spend less time collection and transporting waste will reduce your labor costs and raise your cost efficiency.

KenBay produces innovative equipment that maximizes safety and sustainability and minimizes the financial and global impact of solid industrial waste removal. Heavy hitters like the U.S. Navy, Purolator, and Boeing use our cost and work efficient tools daily. We’ve helped these organizations improve their efficiency and save money. Now, we can help your business do the same. Contact us today!

Unlock the Magic of Using a Crusher for Your Waste Management

CrusherWhen it comes to that point in the year when things are dialed in and it’s time to start doing some assessments that you now have time for, waste management is always a good place to start. Great things can come from rethinking your waste management practices including time and money savings. Though you don’t necessarily need to make the investment, a crusher is one of the surest ways you can have the most impact in changing your waste management by reducing its size and therefore the costs you are paying to have it hauled off.

What is a Crusher?

Also known as a trash compactor, a crusher is a mechanical device used across many industries to reduce the size of various types of waste. A crusher is made of material that is molecularly stronger than almost anything it will come in contact with. This means that the two solid surfaces of the crusher, when effected by mechanical force, can break down and reduce in size nearly anything it will compact, with few things able to dent or even scratch it. Crushers are used for everything from cardboard boxes and aluminum cans, to rocks.

Why Use a Crusher?

No matter what industry you’re in there is a crusher that will work perfectly for you without taking up any more space in your facility than a standard sized pallet. For example, the small footprint RotoPac by KenBay only needs a space of 4 by 5 feet to fit comfortably in your workspace. While it takes up very little room, it actually increases your space for waste management as it compacts everything from food waste to general manufacturing waste. When you optimize your waste management with a crusher, you will also significantly reduce your waste removal costs, as your trash is reduced at a ratio of six to one, compacting up to 300 pounds per hour. Not only does a trash compactor reduce the volume of your waste, but it can also significantly increase your workflow efficiency.

A Crusher Can Increase Safety Too

Inefficient waste practices can also result in unsafe work environments cluttered with hazards. Without assessing your waste management practices your facility is prone to waste buildup in places where either a waste can is overflowing, or where there isn’t one at all. When considering making the investment of purchasing a crusher, start by considering the flow of waste management in your workspace. When you do this you will undoubtedly notice that there are many things you can do not only to reduce the amount of waste you’re producing, but also increase productivity by making disposal more convenient for workers, thereby decreasing the number of hazards found throughout the workplace.

Don’t let waste management in your workplace go overlooked just because you aren’t ready to invest in a crusher. There are so many other measures you can take to increase workflows, safety and efficiency when it comes to finding ways to reduce waste. Whether you need to start with a simple waste audit to see where your biggest problems lie, or are ready to bite the bullet and invest in a crusher, there is always something more you can be doing to decrease the amount of waste you are sending to the landfill each year. If you want to talk to some waste management experts, call KenBay to learn more about our extensive line of trash compactors.

Smart Money is on a High Quality Trash Compactor

Trash CompactorWith the new year well underway, it’s time to start thinking about those small business investments you’ve been wanting to get to one of these days. With a minimal investment, waste management can be a crucial step in streamlining manufacturing processes as well as reducing costs. A trash compactor is one of the surest ways to get a return on your investment quickly while minimizing your environmental footprint by sending less waste to the landfill. With a little bit of innovation and the right equipment, you can completely makeover your waste strategy for the better of both your business and the world.

Why a Trash Compactor

No matter what industry you’re in there is a trash compactor that will work perfectly for you without taking up any more space in your facility than a standard sized pallet. The small footprint RotoPac by KenBay only needs a space of 4 by 5 feet to fit comfortably in your workspace. While it takes up very little room, it actually increases your space for waste as it compacts everything from food waste to general manufacturing waste. When you optimize your waste management with a trash compactor, you will also significantly reduce your waste removal costs, as your trash is reduced at a ratio of six to one, compacting up to 300 pounds per hour. Not only does a trash compactor reduce the volume of your waste, but it can also significantly increase your workflow efficiency.

Trash Compactor Options

KenBay offers a trash compactor for nearly every industry from the chemical industries to the food and beverage industry. Here are some of our best specs.

  1. RotoPac
    The most versatile trash compactor of the bunch, the RotoPac works in manufacturing and assembly plants, marine environments, food and beverage, distribution centers, aerospace facilities and on ships. It is good to handle all non-metallic solid waste, anti-theft materials, recyclables, hazardous solids and much more. With a trash compactor bag the RotoPac can handle just about any kind of waste you are producing and reduce its size significantly.
  2. HazPac
    Whether you’re disposing of your solid hazardous waste in approved bags or boxes, the HazPac can handle it ensuring that you are disposing of it safely and compactly. All three types of solid hazardous waste are approved for this model.
  3. BlastPac
    This is the explosion proof trash compactor designed to operate safely in environments where there might be flammable gasses or vapors present. There are two classes of BlastPac depending on whether your facility may have flammable gas or dust.
  4. SacPac
    Perfect for any food manufacturing environment, the SacPac is the ideal trash compactor for both food packaging and recyclable materials.
  5. SeaPac
    The marine trash compactor is built to withstand extreme environments like oil rigs in the tropics and meets the worldwide standards for these circumstances.

Will an otherwise easily overlooked thing like waste really inhibit your productivity? Most people don’t even realize it until they start considering new waste management methods to reduce costs, but find that they are also increasing productivity and safety as well. Call KenBay to learn more about the perfect trash compactor for your business.

Food Manufacturing has Unique Waste Management Needs

Food ManufacturingThe food manufacturing industry is one of the biggest producers of waste out there, weighing in at an almost unbelievable 7.1 billion pounds annually. Of the largest food manufacturing organizations in existence – like grocery stores and international chain restaurants – the majority of this waste is diverted from landfills. With the food waste itself, there are many avenues to follow in order to reduce the amount that goes in the trash, but packaging is the real kicker. There isn’t a way to avoid packaging when you’re working in food manufacturing, so it’s time to find the most efficient way to dispose of it. First, let’s look at ways to repurpose food waste.

Recycle Food Waste

If you have foods that are not yet inedible, but rather just a tad past the date that you’re comfortable selling them, look for shelters in the area that take donations and get that food into someone’s belly. With all the hungry people in our country, it’s a shame that any food goes to waste. When food does pass the point of being edible for humans, consider animal feed. There are plenty of farmers around you who would gladly take your gallons of scraps and old food to feed their livestock. If you haven’t already considered a collaboration with farmers, many businesses work on trade in this way with their producing counterparts. Compost is another great use for food scraps, and farmers would probably be just as glad to add your food waste to their compost piles to get their fields growing.

Recycle & Reuse

When it comes to packaging, the first step should be to recycle and reuse whatever you can. Buckets and other containers are great for both freezer and cooler storage, and are typically quite durable. When you’ve used them until they’re falling apart, make sure they make it into the recycling bin where they will be broken down and made into other products, instead of in the trash where they will end up in the landfill. Most people aren’t aware that most plastic wrapping can also be recycled. Whether it’s the bags that your veggies come in or the plastic wrap you used to seal something up, get it all in that recycling bin.

Compact It

Now let’s talk trash compaction. Trash compactors are ideal for the food manufacturing industry. The RotoPac SacPac, made by KenBay, is designed specifically for food manufacturing, and will reduce your waste by six times, and take up no more room in your facility than a standard pallet. Made completely out of stainless steel, they will also stay sanitary. How many trash bags of loosely packed plastic wrapping have you thrown away? Why waste your trash can space and pay for waste removal in such an inefficient way? When your waste is sufficiently compacted, your waste removal will be less frequent and more efficient, and end up saving you money.

Don’t take waste management in your food manufacturing facility lightly. A well thought out and efficient system will make all the difference in both your production and the cleanliness of your space. For more information on the incredibly feasible option of purchasing a trash compactor for food manufacturing, call KenBay.