> Setting up a recycling system
> Options for Small Businesses & Organisations
> Hard to recycle products
> Keep publicity up
> Monitoring and communication
> Long-term success
> Questions to Ask a Recycler
> Sample Recycling Memo

Scotland produces around twelve million tonnes of rubbish a year. 95% of Scotlands waste ends up being dumped in the ground. A small proportion is incinerated, less than 3% is recycled.

The economic advantages of commercial recycling are clear. Commercial recycling programs can reduce waste volumes and disposal costs, provide revenue from the sale of recyclable material and reduce operating costs. Recycling provides raw material to make new products and creates jobs in collection, processing and manufacturing. Over time, recycling saves energy and natural resources and can enhance a company’s public image.

• Office recycling is the easiest scheme to involve everyone in.

• Do not start everything at once. It is best to have a gradual approach, starting small and working up to full recycling.

• Start with what you think will work best. The most obvious place is to start with paper. 70% of office waste is made up of paper. Most of which is high-grade white paper, the most sought after type for recycling.

While waste composition will vary from office to office most waste bins compose of the following:

Setting up a recycling system.

The basic rule is for collection boxes to be situated in visible areas close to workstations, printers, copiers or where staff often pass by.

• Maximise the convenience of use and collection. This will minimise the effort and contamination by non-recyclable material.

• Provide clear notices for what is and isn’t recyclable.

• If you collect ink jet and toner cartridges, put the old cartridge in the box of the new product. This protects the ink jet heads and avoids toner powder being spilled. If damaged these products will not be recycled.

• For hazardous products like fluorescent tubes, store unbroken tubes in protective containers prior to collection by authorised recyclers.

• Ensure there is a central area where colleagues can bring unwanted office supplies. These may include pens, staples, folders and other general office materials. Put these back in the stationery cupboard for future use.

Options for small businesses/organisations

If the amount of recyclables produced by your business is not enough for recycling collection service, you may wish to consider the following options.

• Speak to your current waste carrier to see if they offer a recycling service. Ask if diverting recyclables from your current waste stream will reduce your collection costs, freeing up funds to pay for the recycling scheme.

• Check with recycling vendors to see if they will accept material that you deliver to their facility.

• Check with your local council recycling office to see if commercial recyclables are accepted at public recycling drop-off centers.

• Store materials for less frequent collection – Ensure storage adheres to relevant health, safety and environmental regulations, i.e. Fluorescent tubes, waste oils etc

• Contact other businesses in your area to set up a co-operative recycling program.

• Contact property managers of multi-tenant buildings or business parks; talk to local chambers of commerce and network with your own business contacts.

• Contact local charities, schools and other groups who may be interested in picking up certain materials as a fundraiser or service project.

Hard to recycle products

Most products are now recyclable. However a few products prove more difficult. This may be due to the numbers of items, hazardous component or the lack of facilities to reprocess the material. This is common with certain plastics and packaging, batteries, TV and VCRs.

• If possible speak to the original supplier to find out if they have a take back policy or recycling scheme.

• Contact the number of waste exchange schemes to see if someone else can use your product.

• There are now specialist companies that will collect white goods, computers and other IT equipment. Often there is a nominal charge. If equipment is in working order contact local groups and charities to see if they can reuse it or refurbish it for resale.

• Reduce the amount of hard to recycle products that you buy, this will ultimately reduce your waste costs.

• As commercial recycling improves, landfill space reduces and consequently becomes more expensive it will be financially viable to recycle rather than dump.

It is important to recycle or dispose of products and components in an environmentally responsible manner. Always ask for written documentation on any service being offered.

Keep publicity up

• Make sure your recycling schemes get as much publicity as possible.

• Produce posters, flyers and use internal emails to remind everyone of how and what to recycle and how well its going.

• Special events, debates, talks and visits to other organisations can maintain the enthusiasm.

• Ensure there is a commitment from top management and that they take part in office recycling, put a bin by their desk/area.

Experience shows that any individual resistance from colleagues will reduce as the system gets underway and everyone sees how simple it is.

Monitoring and communication

Keep a record of how much the office recycles each week or month.

By recording how much you recycle the office can achieve a number of outcomes.

• Ink jet cartridge recycled and the volume oil saved in using remanufactured products

• Reams of paper per person recycled and equivalent energy or CO2 saved in production.

• Equivalent numbers of trees with habitats saved. It is generally assumed that a tonne of virgin pulp paper from an unsustainable source destroys up to 17 trees and their habitats.

Long-term success

To ensure long-term success of your recycling program, it is important to establish a contract or agreement with a reputable recycler. Recycling service fees and/ or payments tend to vary according to fluctuating commodities markets. Get some further information from your supplier

Questions to Ask a Recycler

• What authorisation or licenses does the company hold to collect, transfer and send to disposal the products in question? Ensure that you receive written confirmation of competency and conformity with relevant regulations.

• Will they be able to accept the amount of recyclables that we produce?

• How should materials be prepared (separated or mixed)?

• Who pays for the cost of the program?

• If there are any costs/charges associated with the program, under what conditions are they?

• Will there be a rebate for any of the recyclables, if so under what conditions?

• How will the pricing structure work (fixed price or price tied to market index)?

• Will assistance be provided for collection containers, promotional materials or training?

• Will recyclables be collected on a scheduled or on-call basis?

• If confidentiality is a concern, are document destruction or confidentiality assurances available?

• How must materials be prepared (consolidation in a central location or for pick-up from a pick up point)?

Do not let recycling hide the priority aim of reducing the amount that you consume in the first place.

Sample Recycling Memo

Scan your letterhead and use it here

TO: All Employees

FROM: [Chief Executive]

SUBJECT: Office Recycling Program
On (DATE), (OFFICE NAME) will begin an office recycling program. The objective of this program is to recycle (LIST PRODUCTS) that we generate in the (OFFICE/FACILITY).

The recycling program is simple and will require few changes in our daily habits. Each (DEPARTMENT/DESK) will receive a special recycling box in which you should place uncrumpled acceptable types of paper instead of throwing it in the waste bin. A list of the types of paper we are trying to recover is attached to this memo and is printed on the recycling boxes.

At your convenience, please take the accumulated paper to one of the nearby central collection containers. These containers are located (LIST-PRINTERS, COPIERS, OTHER LOCATIONS).

The material that we currently shred will continue to be shredded as usual and will be recycled. If you feel more comfortable tearing a document before placing it in the recycling container, please feel free to do so. The size of the paper does not matter.

There are also white boxes with lids and two holes for your used drinks containers. They are located in (LOCATIONS). Please make sure that the cans are completely empty. We are only recycling used beverage cans, so do not place food containers in the boxes. Please do not use the recycling containers for other waste. Soon we hope to have composting facilities for kitchen/ catering waste. (GREEN OFFICE TEAM NAME) is currently looking at other environmental impacts as a result of office practice. Your (GREEN OFFICE TEAM NAME) will be circulating an email on important forthcoming initiatives soon.

On (DATE), there will be a brief 15-20 minute training program for all employees. Training sessions will be scheduled every half-hour during the day, so that all employees can attend without disrupting business. We will distribute a schedule so that you can attend this important meeting.

The success of this program depends on you. (COMPANY) is doing its part to reduce the amount waste sent to landfill or inceration facilities and protecting our environment. Please join us and recycle!

Chief Executive

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