Businesses that prioritize recycling can reap incredible benefits. These benefits range from reducing waste management costs to improving their brand image in customers’ eyes.
Before purchasing commercial recycling bins, business owners should determine their collection requirements. Conducting a waste audit will help them understand what type and capacity of the container is needed for their specific facility.
Invest in High-Quality Containers
There are several things to remember when purchasing or leasing containers, whether for recycling or other uses. First, it is important to invest in high-quality commercial recycling containers. It means ensuring the containers are wind and watertight, in good condition, and defects-free. A defective container could damage your goods or the cargo you are shipping and cost you a fortune to fix.
Another thing to consider is the cost of the container. Container prices vary depending on location and condition, so get a ballpark estimate before committing to buying or leasing. Also, make sure the price quoted includes delivery and tax. It will avoid any surprises down the road.
Finally, be sure to work with a reputable supplier. There are a lot of fly-by-nights out there, and it is easy to get ripped off by unscrupulous companies. Look for a supplier who purchases directly from the steamship lines and sells containers to customers. This way, you can be assured of quality containers at competitive prices.
Finally, be sure to keep in mind that containers are best located in clear and convenient locations throughout the facility. It will help employees find the right bins and avoid unnecessary trips across the warehouse. It is also a good idea to include signage on containers to make it easier for employees to identify them.
Create a Recycling Program
Whether for the environment, to cut operational waste management costs, or to appeal to a growing number of consumers, a business needs to prioritize recycling. This is not only a green initiative that helps the planet; it also saves companies money on supplies like reusable glassware and cardboard boxes, cuts carbon emissions by reducing landfill disposals, and reduces energy costs through less waste incineration.
Establishing a comprehensive recycling program requires a lot of research and planning. Start with a waste assessment to understand the type and amount of material your business generates. It will help determine capacity requirements for bins and what materials should be collected in each.
Next, create a team to coordinate your program. Ideally, this should include someone who has a strong interest in sustainability and will work to promote the program throughout the company. Choosing people from different departments allows the group to take on projects aligned with their skills and expertise.
For example, a purchasing associate would be perfect for buying new bins and coordinating with waste companies to set up an outside recycle bin. In contrast, a marketing associate could help communicate the program’s benefits to employees.
Finally, ensure your recycling & waste stations are clearly labeled with easy-to-understand graphics and images of what should go where. It will make it more convenient for your employees and reduce the likelihood of misplaced or discarded items.
Create a Recycling Bin Location
Many companies have multiple recycling bins throughout their facility, and in some cases, employees need clarification on where to place different items. One way to optimize your recycling containers is to centralize them. Doing so makes it easier for people to separate waste from recyclables, which helps reduce contaminants and keeps your recycling program running smoothly.
Before you decide on a central location for your recycling containers, determine what type of waste and recycled materials your business produces. It will help you choose a recycling bin with openings and graphics that match your collection needs. In addition, you should also look at your waste hauler’s collection requirements, as some require separation. In contrast, others collect single-stream recycling (e.g., newspapers, cans, and bottles are collected together).
A centralized waste bin system can save your business money. It can help you avoid a tipping fee, which is the charge your waste management provider charges for hauling your trash and recycling away. It can also reduce carbon emissions by reducing the number of vehicles making trips to your landfill, which reduces greenhouse gases.
You can make your recycling bins visible to workers by placing them in highly trafficked areas like copy rooms, breakrooms, and cafeterias. Make sure your bins are easy to find, and consider using colored containers or a customized logo to help distinguish them from your trash cans. A custom logo can also convey to your workers and customers that you take sustainability seriously.
Encourage Recycling
You and your family carefully sort paper, plastics, aluminum, and natural food waste to separate recyclables from landfill trash. You repurpose items around the house that can be used for new purposes, and you use reusable plastic bags when shopping at your local grocery store. You even try to buy recycled content products to support the local economy. But you’ve noticed that others in your neighborhood would prefer to avoid cycling. Many throw trash and recycling in the same dumpster.
Encourage your employees to recycle by giving them measurable, specific goals for their sustainability performance and celebrating their achievements. It will motivate them to keep striving for a greener business model. And it will also send the message to like-minded customers that you are a responsible and eco-friendly company.
The most important step you can take to make sure your staff follows through with your green initiatives is to teach them the basics. It means creating clear signage and messaging to explain what can be recycled, how it should be sorted, and why it’s important to recycle.
You can also encourage your employees to recycle by promoting the products they buy from your business made with recycled materials. For example, you can promote reusable lunch containers, washable cloth napkins, and nickel-cadmium batteries.
You can also speak at local business and community events to educate the public about buying recycled products.
