06/ 14/ 2006
Recycling has become more popular over the last several years; a good thing, as in 2001 each American was estimated to produce 4.4 pounds of garbage per day, according to Keep America Beautiful. The energy- and resource-conserving process consists of collecting recyclable materials, processing those materials into new products and purchasing products made of recycled materials.
But recycling is much more than just cleaning up garbage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling conserves natural resources that help sustain the environment, reduces the need for landfills, saves energy and prevents pollution. This means that everything your business can recycle impacts some part of the earth's health—and, inevitably, yours.
Types of recycling programs
To go green in your office, start by figuring out what types of recycling programs are in your area. If your business is located in an office building, check with building management to see if they have a recycling program on-site. Some office buildings offer a central location where businesses can just drop off their recyclables, and the building management takes care of the rest.
If you're not located in an office building with a pickup recycling program, many times you can find an independent recycling company to pick up and recycle your collected items. Check with your local waste management service or public works department to find out if there are any in your area. Be sure to find out if and how much they charge for the service, too. Many cities or counties will pick up recycling at residences, but don't always extend that service to businesses.
If pickup recycling is not an option in your area, many cities have recycling centers where you can drop off what you have collected to be recycled. Because this means you'll be hauling it yourself, you might want to enlist some help. Many centers pay by the pound for your collected material, so you might entice employees to assist in the effort by using the money earned from recycling to purchase a gift card or other token of appreciation for the employees who help out the most.
What can be recycled
Once you decide which type of recycling program you'll use, the next step is to figure out what you'll recycle. The most commonly recycled office items include newspapers, boxes, paper, plastic and glass. Electronics such as computers and cell phones can be recycled, too, but you'll want to check with your recycling center to make sure they can be dropped off at the same location.
Encouraging employee participation
Once you know what you'll recycle, and how it will get to a recycling center, let your employees know the details. Ways to encourage participation include:
- Make it easy. Place bins or containers in locations near trash cans where employees normally would throw away recyclables. Be sure to label the bins so that the materials are put in separate receptacles.
- Remind them. Place signs around your office (not just near the receptacles) reminding employees to recycle. Use e-mails or newsletters to remind everyone what your office is recycling, where the bins are located, and how much they are helping the environment.
- Track your progress. If possible, calculate how much you are recycling every so often. Keep a progress chart in a common area that shows employees how many pounds of aluminum, glass or paper they've collected. You might also want to set goals and reward employees when they're reached.
Remember that recycling is only part of the battle. Reducing the amount of trash you produce is important, as is reusing items whenever possible. Purchasing recycled materials helps encourage global recycling, too.
For more information on what you can do to help, visit the Web sites of the EPA or Keep America Beautiful.
