Most businesses in the Fox Valley complete a carbon footprint assessment with good intentions. You pull together data. You answer questions about materials, energy, and waste. You get a final report. And then—there it sits. Another PDF no one opens again.
But your assessment is more than a report. It’s a tool. When you use it well, it guides decisions that cut emissions, save money, and strengthen your operations. At Becher Plastics in Menasha, we see this every day. Our work with recycled plastic and other sustainability services helps Wisconsin businesses take real steps forward. And many of those steps start with the results of a carbon footprint assessment.
Here’s how you turn that document into action.
Your assessment lists a lot of numbers. It’s easy to get lost in them. Start simple. Pick one goal based on the data. It can be small.
Examples:
You know your operation. Choose the area with the biggest opportunity. This gives you direction and stops the process from feeling overwhelming.
When you look through your report, you see emissions broken into categories. Some come from activities you influence every day. Others come from things outside your control.
Focus on what you control first.
You can adjust materials you buy. You can update processes inside your building. You can strengthen your recycling systems. These changes build momentum and show your team that action is possible.
This is especially important for businesses in the Fox Valley that want to support regional sustainability goals. When you focus on what you control, you see results sooner.
A carbon footprint assessment only matters when it guides choices. Here are a few ways to link your data to everyday decisions:
If your materials create a large part of your footprint, look at alternative sources. Recycled plastic resins help many Wisconsin manufacturers cut emissions without changing product performance. When you shift to recycled content, you lower both material-related emissions and landfill waste.
If waste stands out in your assessment, walk your facility and observe how materials flow. You might need better sorting bins, clearer labels, or a recycling partner who accepts more plastics. Small process changes add up fast.
If transport is a major contributor, look at routing, vendor distance, and load efficiency. Local vendors in the Fox Valley reduce transport emissions and keep your supply chain steady.
Your plan does not need to be long. One page is enough. Include:
This keeps everyone aligned. And it gives you a reference point you can return to as you make decisions.
Change works when people understand why it matters. Share key parts of your assessment with your team. Be direct. Explain the goal. Show how their work connects to the results the assessment highlights.
And ask questions. Your team sees problems and opportunities you might miss. Their daily experience helps you create solutions that last.
At our Menasha facility, we involve everyone in sustainability decisions. It keeps the process grounded and real. You can do the same.
When you set a goal, choose a number that tells you if you’re moving in the right direction. This number should be easy to measure.
Examples:
Track it monthly. When you see change, you stay motivated. When you don’t, you adjust your plan.
You don’t need a full audit every year. But take 30 minutes to revisit the assessment. Look at the categories again. Compare them to the progress you tracked.
Ask yourself:
This keeps the assessment alive. And it turns sustainability into part of regular operations—not an extra project.
Working with the right partners makes everything easier. If you want to reduce waste, partner with recyclers who offer clear standards and reliable service. If you want to use more recycled materials, work with suppliers who share your values and give you honest information.
Integrity matters. As a family-owned plastics recycler in Wisconsin, we built our business on direct communication and reliable commitments. When you have partners like that, your decisions become simpler.
Your customers care about sustainability, especially in the Fox Valley. When you take real steps—like switching to recycled resin or improving your recycling systems—share that progress.
Use plain language. Be specific. People trust details.
Sharing progress also holds you accountable. When you tell someone what you’re working on, you stay committed.
Sustainability is not one project. It’s a series of choices. Your carbon footprint assessment gives you the roadmap. When you act on it, bit by bit, your operations improve. You cut waste. You control costs. And you build a business that supports your community and the environment around you.
If you haven’t looked at your assessment since the day it arrived, take it out again. Pick one section. Choose one goal. Start there.
If your plan includes recycled plastic, waste reduction, or better materials sourcing, our team is here. Becher Plastics provides high-quality recycled plastic resins and full recycling services for Wisconsin businesses. We’re rooted in the Fox Valley, and we’re committed to helping local companies turn “sustainability goals” into real results.
You can reach us anytime to talk about your next step.
