WASTE ORIGIN: Recyclable Materials
WASTE TYPE: Shipping/Packing Materials, Office Papers, and Food and Drink Containers

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING METHODS:

• Office operations can reduce or eliminate waste from the start:
  • Choose suppliers who provide recyclable packaging and packaging with recycled content in it, reuse shipping/packing materials;
  • Improve purchasing and inventory management to prevent overstocking unnecessary supplies that may have limited shelf life;
  • Remove company name from direct mail lists;
  • Make double-sided copies; reduce number of paper copies of receipts; use recycled copy and register papers;
  • Buy products or materials with recycled content; reuse materials that would have been tossed after one use;
  • Buy in bulk quantities when appropriate;
  • Save polystyrene "peanuts" to return to supplier for reuse, or donate;
  • Shred non-recyclable paper items for packing materials;
  • Enclose a note in packages asking recipients to reuse packaging materials;
  • Encourage employees to get involved in waste reduction programs; use incentives to involve staff; encourage suggestions to improve programs.
• Make recycling easy for staff and office patrons:
  • Provide separate bins for trash, one for paper/cardboard, and one for mixed recyclables:
  • Create a list of waste items, laminate it, and hang it in clear view to tell staff or patrons the exact destination of every item.
• Implement a recycling and source reduction program that can include the following key features:
  • Management must support the program by allocating staff time and supporting ideas generated by employees;
  • Select a lead person to act as contact to manage the program; duties could include planning, implementing, and monitoring the program;
  • Involve employees by encouraging ideas for waste and energy reduction, and encourage using e-mail and suggestion boxes for ongoing communication;
  • Keep employees involved:
  • Publicize attained goals, reward these efforts, and use promotions and incentives.
• Join forces with business neighbors to create cooperative hauling of trash and recyclables; sharing the same trash and recycling bins and disposal costs saves everybody money and promotes cooperation.
• Donate usable wastes and recyclables to community groups. This fosters goodwill, protects the environment, and is a positive marketing strategy:
  • Donate recycled aluminum cans to a school's environmental awareness program; the money can go to teach students about the environment.
• Contact area or local recycling companies about possible free pick up of collected recyclables on a regular schedule.
• Work with state, city, or county solid waste officials to get contacts and ideas for reuse and recycling programs; these agencies can provide technical or financial assistance in setting up a program.
• Use the phonebook and network with other businesses to learn about their programs.
• Use your recycling and source reduction efforts as a marketing tool:
  • Local business or government agencies frequently recognize these efforts by sponsoring awards and recognition programs.

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