Not every dollar that leaves your business adds value.
In fact, many local companies quietly lose thousands each year in everyday service categories that rarely get reviewed — waste disposal, telecom, and freight.

These aren’t glamorous areas, but they often hold the most practical savings opportunities for Wood River Valley businesses working to stay competitive and community-minded.

Waste & Recycling

Landfill fees, recycling surcharges, and container charges have crept up steadily in recent years.
It’s common for businesses to be billed for service levels that no longer match their current volume — or to miss credits they’re owed for recycling offsets.

• Review service frequency and container size
• Ask about recycling rebate programs
• Verify fuel and environmental surcharges

“Even small billing errors can add up to big annual savings.”

Typical Results: 10–25 % annual savings without changing vendors

Case Snapshot:
A regional manufacturer discovered $14,000 in annual overcharges after a simple service-level reconciliation.

Telecom & Internet

Telecom invoices are full of complexity — and, as national studies show, most billing errors favor the carrier.

Even here in the Valley, many small firms still pay for unused lines, legacy data plans, or double-billed services.

• Audit monthly statements against current use
• Retire unused numbers or plans
• Compare market rates for similar bandwidth

“Telecom costs rarely go down on their own — but they can, once you know what to look for.”

Typical Results: 15–30 % savings through simple plan realignment

Case Snapshot:
A local food processor reduced monthly wireless costs by $2,400 by eliminating redundant data plans and securing missing credits.

Freight & Shipping

Shipping and logistics costs often fly under the radar. Small shifts in rates, zones, or carriers can quietly add up.

• Check for unclaimed delivery refunds
• Balance parcel vs. LTL freight for efficiency
• Review carrier accessorial fees annually

“Every shipment is a small opportunity to protect your margin.”

Typical Results: 8–15 % improvement through contract and mode optimization

Case Snapshot:
A consumer goods company uncovered $27,000 in refund-eligible shipments by auditing delivery guarantees and rebalancing carriers.

Local Perspective

Across dozens of Idaho businesses, the pattern is consistent:
Most savings don’t require switching vendors — just paying attention to where value slips away.

In a community where every business dollar supports local jobs and growth, recovering that hidden 10–30 % can make a real difference.

Next in the Series

Article 5 — How to Build a System for Ongoing Expense Reduction

John Rumasuglia works with Schooley Mitchell to help Idaho businesses improve margins and free up resources for growth. From Hailey, he supports manufacturers, nonprofits, and service providers across the Wood River Valley. More information is available at www.schooleymitchell.com/jrumasuglia