Starting an office recycling program

Almost every business has an office.  Recycling, even at small offices, can save natural resources, energy, landfill space and money. Make it convenient! Begin by strategically placing recycling bins near desks or even at a central office location. The bins should be clearly marked with the accepted materials 

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Recycle bin labeling solutions

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Make sure your employees and customers understand what should go into recycling bins. The recycling program in Minnesota created these free, downloadable visual reminders of what can be recycled. They provide bin labels for paper, cardboard, mixed plastics, glass, and many more materials. Thank you Minnesota Recycling Program! 

Click Here to download free labels.
Have you looked at your waste bill lately?
Waste creates unnecessary costs, increases your environmental footprint and can make your business vulnerable to risks, regulations and fines. 

Americans create more waste per capita than any other country in the world after Canada (source). This is largely because the current logic of how to manage waste relies on hauling and storing in landfills. 

A better way to manage waste is to reduce waste and environmental impacts while simultaneously reducing costs. Here are top 10 tips for reducing waste at your business.
1. Conduct a waste audit to identify waste that could be prevented or diverted from landfill

2. Grab your waste bill and call the company that services your locations to ask them:
  • What recycling options are available for my business?
  • Can I reduce the number of times my location is serviced?
    If you divert more material, you will not need as much service and this should reduce your costs.
  • What is each line item fee? 
    Ask for unjustified fees to be removed from your bill, such as a vague “environmental fee” or “fuel surcharge.”
3. Better manage your inventory
  • Avoid keeping too many items in stock that may expire or become useless and end up in the dumpster
4. Scrutinize the products you purchase for unnecessary packaging
  • Purchase products with less packaging and work with your vendors to take back and reuse the packaging
  • Avoid purchasing disposable products and tools
5. Track your waste online using EPA WasteWise 

6. Donate extra food and gently used items instead of throwing them away7. Work with neighboring business owners to implement recycling
  • Reduce costs through scale by sharing equipment and selling larger quantities of valuable recyclables
  • Host an electronic waste recycling event with nearby businesses. Protect your business by using Basel Action Network certified e-Steward recyclers.
8. Standardize recycling equipment and signage
  • Recycle Across America offers affordable standardized recycling signage for all types of waste in several languages 
9. Engage your employees 
  • Take time to share these efforts with your team through training, asking for suggestions and creating waste reduction incentives
  • Provide reusable mugs and water bottles
10. Engage your customers and your community
  • Share what you are doing with through signage and social media
  • Offer in store recycling and takeback programs

More business recycling pages

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    Do you have good business recycling links to share?  Let us know!

More Recycling Resources

Cut down on waste and save with these reusable office ideas.
Earth911 Reusable Replacements

10 Ways to Mark Earth Day at Your Company
Inc. Top 10

How to start a Recycling Program 
Inc. How To

Steps to starting a Recycling Plan
Small Business Trends