How A Fragrance Manufacturer Reduced Labor Costs and Improved Sustainability with Sourgum’s Flexible Waste Solutions

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 the decades. However, as they expanded its operations, new challenges began to emerge that threatened their operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

The Challenge

As operations grew, they faced challenges managing their waste efficiently. They needed to increase MSW container pickups to keep up with rising production but struggled with frequent contamination charges for their OCC dumpster, 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. Yet, they were now faced with challenges that undermined their sustainability efforts:

• Inefficient waste processes: As operations scaled, they needed to increase the frequency of MSW (municipal solid waste) 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 were experiencing regular contamination charges for their OCC (old corrugated cardboard) dumpster, contributing to unnecessary fees and inefficiencies.

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

• Budgetary Issues: They found it increasingly difficult to manage their waste service costs, with rates fluctuating 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 a time-consuming headache.

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.

The Solution

Sourgum stepped in to provide a tailored waste management solution that not only addressed these pain points but also aligned with their commitment to sustainability.

• Increased MSW container frequency: We met their need for more flexible scheduling by providing weekend pickups and adding an additional service day. This not only ensured their waste needs were fully met but also helped streamline their weekend operations, reducing redundancy and labor expenses for the weekend crew. On top of that, we were able to deliver 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 them to recycle a wider range of materials, which not only minimized contamination charges but also 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 the single-stream recycling solution within a quick turnaround period, allowing them to experience immediate operational improvements.

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

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The Results

By partnering with Sourgum, they achieved the following results:

• 40% cost savings compared to their previous provider

• Improved recycling capabilities by transitioning to single-stream recycling, reducing contamination charges

• Operational efficiency gains with weekend pickups, reducing labor redundancy

• Streamlined waste processes, making operations smoother and more sustainable

"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

Conclusion

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 service costs.

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