Fragrance Manufacturer Reduces Costs and Boosts Sustainability

Founded in 1981 in Somerset, NJ, a full-service fragrance design and manufacturing company has long been a beacon of quality in the fragrance industry. With a mission to provide the quality of an international fragrance house while delivering the personalized service of a boutique, they’ve cultivated a loyal customer base over multiple decades. However, as they expanded operations, new challenges emerged that threatened their operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

Challenges

As operations grew, they faced challenges managing their waste efficiently. They needed to increase municipal solid waste (MSW) container pickups to keep up with increased production but struggled with frequent contamination charges for their dumpster for old corrugated containers (OCCs), leading to frustrating negotiations with their vendor.

In 2019, they took a bold step toward a sustainable future by signing the IFRA-IOFI charter, committing to support fragrance industry sustainability. However, several challenges undermined their sustainability efforts:

• Inefficient waste processes: As operations scaled, they needed to increase the frequency of MSW container pickups. Their previous provider was unable to offer flexible scheduling, especially for weekend operations.

• Cost concerns: With increased waste pickups and operational growth, their waste service costs were rising without any visible increase in value or efficiency.

• Frequent contamination charges: They experienced regular contamination charges for their OCC dumpster, contributing to unnecessary fees and inefficiencies.

• Sustainability goals: They wanted to enhance recycling efforts but lacked a clear strategy, as their provider only handled cardboard recycling.

• Budgeting: They found it increasingly difficult to manage waste service costs as rates fluctuated unpredictably. The lack of a consistent and transparent billing process made it hard to budget, and dealing with their vendor to understand these fees became time consuming.

Without addressing these issues, they risked not only escalating costs but also inefficiencies in their waste handling process—particularly on weekends—and missed opportunities for sustainability improvements.

Solutions

Sourgum stepped in to provide a tailored waste and recycling solution that addressed these pain points and aligned with their commitment to sustainability.

• Increased MSW container frequency: We enabled more flexible scheduling by providing weekend pickups and adding an additional service day. This ensured their waste needs were fully met and helped streamline their weekend operations, reducing redundancy and labor expenses for the weekend crew. On top of that, we delivered cost savings compared to their previous provider.

• Expanded recycling initiative: After conducting a comprehensive waste analysis, we expanded recycling efforts from solely cardboard to a single-stream recycling system. This allowed the manufacturer to recycle a wider range of materials, which minimized contamination charges and helped them align better with their sustainability goals.

• Smooth implementation: Our waste service implementation was designed to ensure minimal disruption to their operations. We overcame the logistical challenges of adding weekend pickups and implementing single-stream recycling with a quick turnaround, allowing them to experience immediate operational improvements.

• Consistent, predictable invoicing: To eliminate the frustration of fluctuating rates and hidden fees, Sourgum provided a clear, agreed-upon rate invoiced each month. This streamlined their accounting process and ensured they never received any unexpected charges, providing much-needed stability in their budgeting.

Results

By partnering with Sourgum, the manufacturer cut costs by 40% compared to their previous provider. They enhanced recycling by switching to single-stream recycling, reduced contamination charges, and improved operational efficiency with weekend pickups that minimized labor redundancy. Overall, they streamlined waste processes for smoother, more sustainable operations.

Working with Sourgum Waste for our trash and recycling has been a seamless and positive experience. Their reliable service and commitment to sustainability have made managing waste easier and more efficient for our organization.

— Paul R. Mazar, Facilities Manager

Outcome

By addressing their waste challenges, Sourgum not only provided a more efficient and cost-effective waste solution but also helped further their sustainability commitments. The expanded recycling initiative and weekend service days streamlined their operations, ultimately saving the company 40% in waste-related costs.

Ready to optimize your waste services?

Contact us to learn how Sourgum can help your business achieve similar results and improve operational efficiency.