Inc.com reports that, “In the average workplace, about 80 to 90 percent of solid waste is actually recyclable, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” In addition to doing your part for the environment, it may also save your business money. If your office is not currently recycling, here are five steps to get you started.
1. Figure out what is in your trash at work.
2. Contact your trash hauler to determine what recylables they will collect.
3. Get recycling containers. They are available in a wide variety of attractive, space-efficient designs and colors to coordinate with your office decor. Clearly marked lids and labels assure that recyclables will be sorted properly. Place the recycling bins where they are most likely to be used. They need to be where the most trash is generated, such as copy rooms, near printers, in break rooms, and cafeterias. Small deskside recycling containers are also available. Every trash can should have a recycling bin next to it.
4. Recycling containers for paper products and beverage containers are a good place to begin, without overwhelming your co-workers. Later, you may consider adding bins for cans, drink boxes, bottles, styrofoam, ink cartidges, and more, depending on your business needs.
5. Even if you are the perfect recycling program coordinator, a successful initiative may need to come from the top in order to motivate your co-workers to participate. In addition to getting a motivating email from the CEO, make sure all employees are aware of the recycling program and goals. Keep track of the amount of recycled materials, and let everyone know what they are helping to accomplish. If your company is large enough, you might even try adding incentives or rewards to the department or branch with the largest amount of recyclables.
An office recycling program is one step toward sustainable and green business practices. Combining a recycling program with an effort to reduce office waste and reuse existing products can be a smart business strategy to help save money.
Contact Waste Wise Products today so we can help you choose the best containers and bins for your recycling program.
Image: http://https://www.wastewiseproductsinc.com/recycling-bin/fiberglass-quad-stream-recycling-bin/
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Good post on how one might start an office recycling program. I wonder how many people realize how much waste is actually recyclable. Thanks for the post.