When Metro Waste Authority's Curb It! residential recycling program went single stream – meaning residents could throw paper, cardboard, plastics and glass all in one container without all the tedious sorting – it made it more cost-effective for businesses to make the switch as well. Until recently, recycling plastics, glass and cans meant doubling your collection cost because it couldn't be thrown in with cardboard and paper recyclables.
If you are considering how to start a single-stream recycling program at your work or business, below are the key steps to take and plan for as you implement a program.
1. Finding a Solid Waste/Recycling Contractor
Currently Recycling Cardboard and Paper
Simply call your existing solid waste or recycling contractor (look for the name on the dumpster) to see if you can start including plastics, glass and metals in the same dumpster or container and how the cost might vary.
No Recycling in Place
Calling your solid waste contractor (look for the name on the dumpster) and get a quote for a recycling container. They should also be able to help you determine how much waste and recyclables you generate and adjust your collection accordingly. For example, you should be able to reduce your solid waste collections (lowering the cost) and add a recycling collection (adding a cost) to create the most cost-effective service.
Consider Other Existing Contracts & Agreements
Businesses often work with a variety of vendors for disposal and recycling. Some considerations:
- Solid Waste Contract (most of these contracts state that you must use them for recycling as well)
- Document Destruction Services (shredding and recycling of confidential documents)
- Redemption Programs with Vending Service
For many businesses, space is a challenge. Space is needed outside for an extra dumpster, if you don't one for cardboard and paper recycling already. For the interior collection, determine the size and number of containers needed to implement the program. A rule of recycling is that where ever a recycling container is, there needs to be a container for garbage directly next to it to reduce contamination.
Employee & Custodial Considerations: To make collection easier, pinpoint areas where recycling can be combined into a larger container. No program is complete without the assistance of the custodial staff. Determine who will be responsible for moving recyclables from under desks to larger containers. It's often costly to have custodial staff collect under every desk (along with trash). To create a sustainable program, have employees dump their recyclables at main collection points. Be sure to train both employees and custodial staff on the new process.
3. Signage & Education
Education is never-ending. At the start of the program it's essential to communicate the guidelines of what is recyclable and what's not. But it's equally essential to keep communicating it as guidelines change and the chasing arrows on containers are often misleading. Signage on or near desk-side containers, main collection points and the dumpster are also critical. And symbols and pictures are most effective. Download a sign for our local recycling guidelines. Other education opportunities include:
- Employee Orientation – Incorporate the recycling policy and guidelines in employee orientation materials.
- Lunch & Learns – Go over the do's and don'ts and invite questions on what can or can't be thrown in. Download a PowerPoint presentation that outlines our local recycling guidelines and why guidelines vary across the country.
- Staff Newsletter – Devote an area of the newsletter to educate on recycling guidelines.
- Bin Dive – Inspect bins as a group and decide if items should have been placed in trash instead.
4. Ongoing Promotion
Employees make the recycling program happen, so get them engaged by starting a Green or Sustainability Team. The team should communicate positively, clearly and often. Consider:
- Identify "Recycling Champions" – Find someone enthusiastic about the program and let them sell it to other employees.
- Create Friendly Competition – Set up teams among departments, floors or company divisions. Organize competitions to determine which team is recycling the most or understands the guidelines.
- Incentives – Motivate employees with contests and rewards for achieving recycling goals.
- Monitor bins – Inspect bins, create a system to remind employees about contamination and praise employees for a job well done.
5. Measure & Continuous Improvement
Tracking the results of the recycling progress demonstrates the merits of recycling and motivates employees to continue recycling. Viewable progress achieves momentum and creates buy-in. Achieving recycling goals, lowering costs, realizing environmental benefits or improving participation lead to creating a positive work environment. Consider these suggestions when tracking results:
- Track – Quantity of recyclables collected in pounds to report to the office, the quality of recyclables collected and the costs or savings that have occurred since the inception of the program.
- Communicate Results – Spread the word about achievement of the program to employees and the community. You can enter the recycling program in a local or national competition to bring additional recognition.
- Employee input – Survey and ask employees for feedback on the program. Find out what is working and what needs improvement and how to increase participation.
- Set goals – Reaching goals and setting new goals will constantly build progress in the program.
