Dig Deeper with Waste Optima’s Blog Posts

Explore Waste Optima’s industrial recycling blog for practical guides, examples, and frameworks on landfill diversion and beneficial reuse. Articles help manufacturers, warehouses, and EHS teams improve costs, operations, and environmental performance across plastics, metals, chemicals, organics, and surplus inventory.

Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis

A Summary of Environmental Pragmatism

Environmental pragmatism is a branch of environmental philosophy—rooted in classical American pragmatism—that prioritizes democratic problem-solving over winning abstract debates. Consolidated in the 1996 volume edited by Andrew Light and Eric Katz, it embraces moral pluralism, policy “experimentalism,” and Bryan Norton’s convergence idea to keep action moving while disagreements about ultimate values continue.

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Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis

Why “Industrial Recycling Near Me” Isn’t Always Local

Searching “industrial recycling company near me usually surfaces nearby scrap yards, cardboard recyclers, or municipal MRFs. Those can be great for pallets, OCC, and basic container service. But most manufacturers and warehouses also generate streams that are heavier, more complicated, or more specialized than the local shop is built to handle. That’s where a wider outlet network and a national operating model often outperform “closest to me.”

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Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis

Waste of Industries: A Guide to Definitions, Types, & Solutions

The waste of industries—sometimes called industrial refuse or factory waste—is one of the largest and least understood contributors to global waste streams. While municipal solid waste (household trash) often dominates public discussion, the reality is that industrial waste represents over 50% of total solid waste generated in the United States each year.

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Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis

Industrial Byproducts: Complete Guide to Managing Manufacturing Waste

Industrial byproducts are secondary materials generated from manufacturing, agricultural, and commercial processes that can be transformed from waste into valuable resources. This comprehensive guide covers what industrial byproducts are, how to manage them in accordance with regulatory requirements, and proven strategies to maximize their economic and environmental value for your facility.

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Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis Industrial Waste Overview Derek Michaelis

Industrial Recycling for Sustainable Manufacturing

Industrial recycling plays a pivotal role in modern manufacturing, helping facilities reduce waste, lower costs, and promote environmental sustainability. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industrial recycling programs have helped divert over 75 million tons of materials from landfills annually in the United States alone.

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